MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1922, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. Air W.- Aleldrum, ■S'.AI., presided over the sitting of the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. TOO MUCH PRESSURE. The Inspector of Machinery (Mr P. AleKer.zie) proceeded against Mothersail on a charge of having increased the pressure on a steam boiler beyond that pcrscribcd in the certificate. A charge was also laid against H. Monk, driver of the, engine and boiler, for allowing the pressure to remain excessive whilst he was in charge of the plant. Air J. Hannan appeared for Hothersall, pleaded guilty, and stated that the boiler which was used for the purpose of driving & mine shaft, had a capacity of 60 lbs pressure to the square inch. On the occasion which led to the charge the pressure had been increased on account of the pumps preventing an outlet. Air McKenzie said that at the time of his visit and the inspection of the boiler it was being run at 15 lbs pressure in excess of the prescribed amount, and he asked that the driver be penalised as well as Hofhersall, as he was directly responsible for the oecurencoThere were no visible signs of the boiler being likely to blow up. The Magistrate said that in a previous case (tho first in the district) in which the pressure bad been 701bs in excess *of the certificated capacity, the defendant had been fined £5O. The present case however, was not such a serious one as the excess of pressure amounted to 15 lbs. In’ the case of Hothersall a fine of £lO and costs was imposed and a conviction was recorded against Monk. THEFT OF CHAFF. Henry Edward Williams, a carter of Ahaura, was charged with the theft of three sacks of chaff, the property of W. Fisher, butcher, of Nelson Creek. Defendant (Air W. J. Joyce) pleaded guilty. Senior Sergeant .McCarthy explain’d that the point at issue vas the intention that defendant had wliilsv raking tho chuff. He had stated that he only borrowed the goods and >ntended paying them back when bis own consignment camo to hand from Greymouth, Ho admitted having borrowed ehaff on previous occasions. The present information related to a consignment which arrived for Alt Fisher in April, and -which was later found to lie three bags short. Investigation proved that defendant retained them when britigiing them from the station. The defendant had had many opportunities of acquainting Air Fisher with his action, but had not dome so. The question was whether Im had intended to steal the chaff or not. Constable Smyth of Ahaura gave evidence of having visited defendant’s stables where ho found the bags branded with Fisher's mark- Defendant idmittcd having taken the chaff on this ami on previous occasions and stated that he intended putting it back when his consignment came to hand. Defendant attempted to get witness not to go on with, the charge. Enquiry from Messrs McLean s books elicited" the fact that the chaff had not been ordered until April 6. DefemJapt (WilViamte): I feent an order down on April 3. Sen.-Sergeant McCarthy: The oidei was not received until April o. Win. Fisher, butcher, of Nelson Creek, and owner of the chaff, corroborated the evidence given by the -.■oustable regarding the delivery of the chaff. On discovery that several bags were missing, he made investigation and, as a result, notified the constable of his loss. Williams, the defendant, explained the circumstances under which he had taken c laff. He had forwarded an order to .Messrs Duncan McLean, Ltd., for a consignment of chaff and whilst (.waiting the arrival of same, borrowed the chaff. Witness had opportunities of acquainting the owner of his action, hut he did not deem it- necessary, as his own order was expected to arrive at any time. The .Magistrate, in summing up. said that defendant had been very careless ill the way lie had behaved, lie had no- right whatever, without the authority of Air Fisher, to help himself to the chaff as he did. He apparently had l«'en relying on the old business relationship existing Iveta een the- two parties, but had taken ~ great risk. It appeared that defendant did not acquaint Fisher of his action at the first opportunity. However, it did not appear that be bad any intention of stealing tho gooclh, a s he had been careless in leaving sacks lying about. He would be ordered to pay the costs of proceedings— IGs 6<l. WITHOUT A NUMBER. Frederick Turley was charged under | section 16 of the Motor Regulations j Act of having driven a motor car . which did not have a visible number plate displayed on front. Defendant, pleaded guilty of the breach of the Act, but stated that the circumstances were extraordinary. A ■week prior to the offence he had travelled in his car from Westport and on the way the number plate had been | lost. A cardboard substitute had been secured but, on account of the wet veath-er the figures had become almost

invisible and tho card had slipped out of place. . Senr Sergeant McCarthy explained that the offence wat cojmmitted) on race day. There were many offenders in this respect and the police were compelled to be vigilant. Everyone who appeared on a charge of this kind had mi excuse. The Magistrate said the maximum penalty was £lO. As defendant was a first offender a fine of 5/- and costs was imposed. GENERAL. Thomas Pollard and Arthur Beban picture proprietors of Greymouth, were charged with on Sunday April 23, keeping open public places (Opera House and Town Hall respectively) for the purpose of conducting amusement therein. Mr J. Hannan wl(o appeared for both defendants, asked for a remand Senr. Sergeant McCarthy acquiesced and tho ease was adjourned until Friday, May 12. George Stanton, alias Fritz Go-ertzger was charged with having, on April 22, stolen 12 pairs of sox to a value of 30/- from Messrs Tymons and Co, Greymouth. A further charge was laid against accused that on Auril Sth he stole six shirts to a value of £3/15/0. Air Joyce appeared for the defendant and asked .for a remand until Monday next. He, also asked for bail. Detective Young stated that accused had been arrested on Sunday. He agreed to a remand. Accused was accordingly remanded until Monday next bail being fixed at self £25 and one surety of £5O. Four second offenders were each fined £1 and costs for being caught on licensed premises after regular hours. A second offender, for allowing his horse to wander on the Borough Street was fined a nominal sum. AV ARDEN’S COURT. The following applications were dealt with yesterday:— Alphonse E. Morel: License for a claim of 14 acres at Arahura.—Granted. Forest Sawmilling Co: Permission granted to change purpose of water race in Block Nil Mawhcraiti S.D. The same Coy were granted a license for a special site in the vicinity of the previous claim. The application of Alfred Allen for a residence site at Hatter’s Terrace was adjourned till May 9. W. C. Brooks: Residental site Block 2, Mawhcraiti Siding.—Adjourned till May 9. Elizatbeth Opcnshaw’s application for a similar claim was also adjourned till May 9.