New Development In Case Against Coal Mine Trucker

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 August 1948, Page 2

New Development In Case Against Coal Mine Trucker

There has been a further development in the case against a Liverpoo mine trucker which was the subject of comment by Mr A. A. McLachlan, S M when it was called in the Police Court at Greymouth on July 5 last. A charge of manslaughter has now been laid.

In the first instance, the man concerned Reginald John McGraine, was charged by an inspector of the Mines Department, with a negligent omission under the Coal Mines Act, but Mr McLachlan intimated that before such a charge was proceeded with he thought the appropriate authorities should consider it in relation to the Crimes Act, which might possibly mean the taking of the case in a more serious way, but under which the accused would have the benefit of a jury. He suggested that the Crown solicitor might be consulted in the matter. When the case was called this morning, a further charge, of manslaughter, was laid against McGiaine. He was charged, under the Climes Act, that on April 21, 1948, at Rewanui by an omission without lawful excuse to perform a legal duty, he did cause the death of Thomas Wright Alexander ’ Blyth, thereby committing the crime of manslaughter He was also charged, under the Coal Mines Act, that on April 21 he did negligently omit to place properly in position a safety block on the incline haulage, such act being necessary for the safety of persons employed in the mine. . ' Senior-Sergeant R. _ C. Mcßobie asked for a further adjournment for three weeks in respect of both charges, and the adjournment was granted. Other Cases

Appearing on remand, William Hainey Hillhouse, aged 18 years, a trucker, was charged, with the conversion of two motor-cycles at Greymouth on August 7. Gn the suggestion of his counsel (Mi W r . D. Taylor), the accused was again remanded until tomorrow morning, to enable a medical report to be furnished to the court. . On the information of the Transport Department (Inspector A. E. Masefield), Basil Wilkinson was,fined 10s with 10s costs on a charge of having headlights on a motor-car wrongly adjusted and 10s with 10s costs 101 not having a tail-light. On charges of cycling at night without a light, in Mawhera Quay and Mackay street respectively, Alex James Scalmer and Albert Frank Shrives were each fined 10s with 10s costs. Two informations were laid by the Inspector of Nuisances at Greymouth, Mr J. Guerin. For allowing three horses to wander in William street on July 23 Thomas Gardyne was fined £1 with 10s costs. Bernard O’Neill Thomson was also fined £1 with 10s costs for permitting a horse to be tethered in Sturge street, Cobden, on July 16. In reply to a question by Mr McLachlan as to whether the horse was doing any damage the inspector said that there had been numerous complaints about the horse being tethered in the streets.

Civil Judgments Mr McLachlan gave judgment for plaintiff by default, with costs, in each of the following civil debt cases:— Commissioner of Taxes v Stanley Cecil Bartlett, £l3 5s 7d, costs £1 ss; same v. John Edward Gallop £64 9s 3d costs £2 6s; Ogilvie and Co. Ltd., v N D McAllister, £l2 2s 4d, costs £2 Ils 6cl; R. Powley and Co. Ltd., Christchurch v W. T. Newsome, £lO 16s costs £3. , „ , , Reserved judgment in a defended, civil action heard on August 2 was delivered by Mr McLachlan. The case was that in which Gladys Violet Hutton claimed £52 from Joseph Walter Hutton, alleged to be arrears of maintenance at the rate of £2 per week (to June 9. 1948), under a separation agreement between the parties dated May 21, 1947. “After considering the agreement between the parties I had to come to the conclusion that it was a nerfectly valid claim,” said the magistrate in giving judgment for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed (£52) together with solicitor’s fee £4 3s, court costs £2 17s and witness expenses £3. In the Warden’s Court, Mr McLachlan dealt with the following applications:— , Edward George Silk, surrender ot special alluvial claim, No 23/44, Block 11. Mawheraiti S.D. —Accepted as from July 26. Thomas George Jamieson, surrender of sea beach claim, No 185/34, Block 16, Greymouth S.D. —Accepted as from July 28.