IN THE COURTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11384, 9 December 1930, Page 2

IN THE COURTS

HUMAN DERELICTS

RAVAGES’ OF METHYLATED

SPIRITS

FOUR MEN BEFORE COURT

(Press’ Association.)' v , . ' AUCKLAND, Dec. 8.

Four men, described by DetectiveSergeant Kelly as “methylated- spirit- kings”-canio-'-'befoi’o Mr- Hunt, S.M., at tho Police Court. Three had been arrested on drunkenness charges, and'' - .tho," fourth,'; ariqii' charge! _ of deelniifg him to- be an incorrigible rogue and vagabond. The ravages of tho methylated spirits they had been imbibing during’ tho week-end .were reflected in their faces. One man was trembling to such an extent that a policeman had almost-to carry him from the dock back to the prisoner’s room. Two wei'ci remanded for a. week for medical treatment. .

“These men go about the city in gangs, frequenting parks and drinking methylated spirits”, said Detec-tive-Sergeant Kelly. “Tour AVorship lias only to -look at them'to see the j harm the spirit; does when taken in- j terrially - .” . H v- <. / ’ ' j Mr Hunt : ■“I know there is a man; in the morgue this morning who' lias \ been drinking methylated spirits. He) was found dead yesterday.” ' . j Concerning - the man charged with j being ail'incorrigible rogue and vaga-i bond, Janies Edgair Steere, _ aged 59, j Detective-Sergeant Kelly said he was j a derelict and a methylated spirits j addict. “They; won’t- have him in the city shelters, -aiid he has been sleeping out in Campbell Park. Nothing can be done with him”, added De-tective-Sergeant Kelly. ; . Steere, who had 52 previous convictions, and was said to- bo in. a filthy condition, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. “He’s better up above where lie will ho fed and kept clegn”, remarked the Magistrate.

PRISONERS SENTENCED

(Press Association.)

AV ELLINGTON, Dec. 8

In the Supreme Court to-day, Mr Justice Myers sentenced the following prisoners: Ronald Cowan, 19, for forgery aud uttering, two years in-a Borstal Institute; Edward Gammore Ellen, 22, for theft of jewellery," three years in. a Borstal Institute; Ernest' Soilo way, 30, for breaking and entering a country house with intent to commit a crime, 12 months’ reformative detention.

BREACH OF PROMISE CASE SETTLED

MAN TO PAY £SOO

(Press Association J NELSON. Dec. 8

AVhen tlie case Lizzie Harper versus Percy Scott Haycock, a claim for damages for alleged breach of prom-ise-of marriage,’was called at-the .Supreme iCourt to-day it was intimated that a settlement had been arrived at. Defendant had agreed that judgment should be entered for £SOO, with costs. Judgment was entered up in terms of the settlement.

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF A CAR

FINE OF £lO AND COSTS

(Press Association.>

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 8. James Smith, 39, -v. a butcher’s assistant ',was so drunk on' Saturday that "when lie dropped his matches and stooped down to pick them up he fell over on the road, according to a statement made' by Senior-Sergeant O’Grady in the Police Court ’ this morning. Smith was in charge of a motor car at the time.

Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., convicted Smith for being drunk while in charge of a ear and fined him £lO and. costs and prohibited him < froin procuring a license -until June 1, 1931.

A AVILL UPSET

UNIVERSITY TO PAY WOMAN

£9OO

(Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Dee. 8

Decision was given by Mr Justice Kennedy to-day in the case in which Minnie Isabel Akliurst applied lor an order that further provision ' bo made but of, licr mother’s‘estate for her maintenance and .support- The testatrix at 78, was ■ left her son s fortune and died at tho age of SO, leaving her daughter 1 rinkets,' etc., worth no more than £BOI The wlicilo of the estate, CGOOO. was .lett to charity. Of this amount £3BOO was ■bequeathed to tho University of Otago for research work in donnection with tho cause of cancer and other malignant diseases. , His Honor found that* the mother had failed in lier duty. Plaintiff had asked that .all bequests other than that to thd' university should be exempt from (ho incidence of the order. It was clear that she could not prejudico’ the University, and increase the' burden Which that bequest would have to bear. The allowance to be made must therefore be reduced'. An order was made for the payment of an’ annuity of £52, the sum of £9OO to be ' set' aside from the Bequest to the university for the purpose, and to revert to the .University oil .plaintiff's death.' .