MAGISTRATE’S COURT
TO-DAY’S GREYMOUTH CASES.
Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., presided st a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth, this morning. SeniorSergeant G. H. L. Holt represented the police. ' For riding cycles without lights alter dark (on the information of the Borough Traffic Inspector, Mr. H. Lane), A. M. Jamieson, M. J. Burton, A. R. McArthur, G. McLean, H. R. Hickson and N'gaira Tate were each convicted and fined 10/-, with 10/costs. The defendant, Hickson, appeared and pleaded guilty, but stated that he had been unable to obtain batteries for his light. The Traffic* Inspector stated that J amp batteries were scarce, but torch batteries were obtainable and were convertible for use in lamps. The Magistrate said it was commonly known that cycle lamp batteries were scarce, but that did not excuse the offence of riding without a light, which was far too common. , CROSSING ACCIDENT SEQUEL.
Joseph Thomas Leonard pleaded guilty to a charge that at Greyniouth on October 14, 1943, he attempted to cross the Tainui Street railway crossing when the crossing was not clear. The Senior-Sergeant said that at the time of the offence defendant was driving his car in a southerly direction along Tainui Street at a fairly slow rate of speed, and when going over the crossing was struck by an engine. The evidence showed that the engine whistle was blown when the engine was.about.. 2oo yards from ihe crossing and again when it was quite handy. A porter who was travelling on the front of the engine said that the warning lights were working on the intersection, ror some unknown reason defendant apparently did not see the engine. The porter who was on the front of the engine was rather seriously injured. The car was badly damaged. Defendant said that there was only one light on the crossing and that was on his right when he was approaching the crossing. He looked for the light but did not see it working. He expected to hear a oell as he was accustomed to going over the Herbert Street crossing. He noticed now that a light was being put. on the other side of the crossing. - The Magistrate said he found it hard to understand how defendant did not see the engine approaching. Defendant would be convicted and fined £2, with 10/- costs, the Magistrate adding that he had already been well penalised for his carelessness.
UNLAWFUL TIMBER CUTTING. On the information of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, George Cameron (Mr. J. W. Hannan) was charged that on March 1, 1943, and on divers dates between March 1 and June 20. at or near Nelson Creek, he did, without right or title cut certain timber trbes growing on Crown lands in Block 12, Mawheranui Survey District. the trees producing 1410 posts. He was also charged with unlawfully removing the timber from the land. Mr Hannan entered a plea ol guilty. Mr. F. A. Kitchingham represented Kitchingham said that two men defendant and a man named Dunster, the latter of whom was now overseas, had a timber cutting contract to get posts tor a man in Hokitika who apparently had rights oyei n privately owned leasehold section at Nelson Creek. However, the two n l cn went over the boundaiy and cut timber on land held by the Crown. The boundary pegs were found by the Ranger and there was no excuse lot the trespass. At 192., rates Uu rovalty on the posts cut was £lO/5// Anri the costs of the inspection buntal to £2/6/8, a total oi £l2 12/3 in all. However, the Commissioner of Crown Lands stated that at least 25 per cent, should be added to the royalty on .account ol the particular locality in which l posts were cut being so close to the lailwaj. There had been no seizure of the posts and no royalty had been paid. * Mr. Kitchingham said that over the last few years there had been a considerable’number of prosecutions tor illegal cutting of timber and he thought + he time had arrived when all who were cutting timber should be ce?tain they knew exactly where they were cutting, and that it H)-.' wished to cut on Crown land tney must obtain. rights. There had been ar T V iJ e Hannan S said that the men were sub-contractors and the man 101 whom they were contracting had toe cutting rights. As far as they Pnew they were cutting the timbei quite i honestly. In any case, he (Mi. Hannan) understood that the border was difficult for a layman to pick up. One of the defendants had gone overseas land the present defendant had to shoulder the whole of the olame. He understood that when the Rtmgei went round the area defendant wem 'to Hokitika and offered tc> pay the -royalty, but was told by the Commissioner of Crown Lands that tlieie (would be a prosecution and that payment would not then be accepted. ' On the first charge defendam was convicted and fined £5, with 10/costs. He was also ordered to pay £l2 royalty, £2/6/8 expenses and £2 2/~ solicitor’s fee. On the second charge defendant was convicted and ordered to pay the Couit costs, 10/-. A charge against William James Bruce, that on October 25 at Gieymouth he did obtain from Harold Allen Robinson a meal valued at 2/6, and by so doing did incur a debt o liability by means of a fraud, was dismissed for lack of prosecution. It was stated that defendant hacl left 1 Christchurch to reside, and that the amount involved in the charge would not warrant his being brought back to answer the charge.
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Greymouth Evening Star, 13 December 1943, Page 2
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943MAGISTRATE’S COURT Greymouth Evening Star, 13 December 1943, Page 2
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