WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1934, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Magistrate’s Court: WESTPORT. October 18. Before Mr 11. Morgan, S.M. yesterday, T. Richards, Denniston, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a car nith' Ut being /the holder of a license, Mr M. B, Scully represented defendant. Sergeant Main tyre explained that the charge arose out of a. latality which occurred on the Denniston 'Track, when ilhc car defendant was driving, overturned, resulting in the death of defendant \s father. Richards had previously held a driver’s license, and there was no suggestion as to incompetency. A line of 10s. costs 10s and police expenses 8s Gd, was imposed. J. McManus was charged with allow, ing stock to wander jn /the Borough, ami was. convicted and fined Jos and Au elderly first offender fur being found on licensed premises alter hours, was convicted and ordered t<* pay cost/. Another defendant who was charged with j| similar offence pleaded not guilty. lie was represented by Mr Scully. A conviction was entered with a line of 15s, and 10s costs. A fortnight was allowed in which to pay. A dairyman was charged with sell ing nii.'.k which did nut contain the required fat content. He pleaded not guilty ;i,m| wan represented by Mr Molony. Air Wallwork. Health Inspector, in his evidence said that there Was no suggestion that water had been added; bui nhe deficiency of fat had probably been caused by carelessness

at the farm iu mixing the milk before taking it out on the run. The Inspector s aid that in fairness to defendant he would say than he did not sell cream ;-,nd would prefer to believe that the deficiency was due to skimming that was due to carelessness rather than to deliberate action. Defendant in Jus explanation said that the only way he could account for the occurrence was that they may nof. have thoroughly mixed the milk from the various cans. They were very particular with the iuilk and did not skim any of it, nor did they sell cream, make any butter, or supply the factory. 'The Magistrate said that reviewing the case, he was prepared itq believe that there was some careless-ne.-.s iu the handling of cans at the farm and he did not think that defendant would deliberately sell milk not Up tto standard. However, as a warning to milkmen, defendant would be convicted and lined 10s with costs 10s, and analyst’s fee 2s 6d

Catherine Lane, aged 22 years, pro*ceeded against her husband, William Henry Lane, of Westport, also aged 22 years, for maintenance, separation and guardianship orders. Mr J. J. Molony appeared for complainant, and Mr M. B. Scully for defendant. Prior to the hearing of the case, the Magistrate asked if there would be any evidence advanced {that would be embarrassing to the parties. Mr Molony replied in the affirmative and stated itliat he had been considering the matter of applying to have the case heard.in camera. The Magistrate said that there was a -type of idle and curious person who just came to Court to hear intimate personal) details. lie, had power to clear the Court in the interests of public morality; bnt it was sometimes difficult to decide whether the ventilation of personal affairs was sufficiently wide in their effect to come within the scope of public morals. However, people with gentlemanly instincts and decent feelings' would not desire to listen to such evidence and he hoped that those present would take notice of what he had said and leave the Court. The pla-iiif iff, in the course of her evidence, maintained that her husband ill treated her and was excessive in his demands. She did not object to reasonable relations, but considered her ihiusband unreasonable. Her husband also accused her of going out with other men. The case was adjourned. Obituary: The dcaith took place yesterday of Mr Fred Mclntyre, Peel Street, at the age of 70 years. He did not enjoy good hea.lt'h for some time. Prior to settling iu Westport, deceased, whose wife died two v ears ago, came from .'lie Keeft'on district. Gold Return: The return from operations by the Addison’s Flat Gold Mining Coy., for the fortnight ended October 13 (34 .shifts), was 37 ounces.