WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1935, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Magistrate’s Court; WKSTI’ORT, March 21. Before Mr Morgan, S.M. yesterday, Thomas William Davis, a married man. with two children, was charged with attempting to commit suciide on March 16. Accused, who was represented by Mi- M. B. Scully, pleaded guilty. Sergeant Mclntyre, in outlining the case, said accused w r as found lying on the footpath apparently in a fit. He was taken into a hotel and medical assistance sought. One doctor stated the man was a malingerer. Witness suggested that those ministering to him leave accused alone to see what he would do as nothing coherent could be got from Ihini. Accused seized a tumbler, broke it on the floor and placed the broken end at his throat, as if to cut it. Witness, continuing said accused had made another attempt on his life. On one occasion he was eomm'itted to a mental asylum and in another instance he visited the hospital and said he had poisoned himself with arsenate of lead, but no trace of it could be found by the doctor. Accused was regarded as a malingerer. With anol her man he arrived from Nelson, and disposed of fruit. He later called at the police station and sa'id his companion had left him stranded. The Sergeant read a lengthy list of convictions for drunkenness, breaches of prohibition orders and using indecent language. The Magistrate, in admitting accused to probation for two years <>n condition that he took out a prohibition order for that period, said he was doubtful if it was a genuine attempt at suicide and had a strong suspicion he was a common imposter. However, he would g’ive him the benefit mf the doubt, but if he came be* fore him again he would impose a lengthy term of imprisonment. Licensing Cases: Six men, live of whom failed to appear, were charged before Mr 11. Morgan, S.M., yesterday, with being found illegally in a country hotel. The one defendant w'ho appeared pleaded not guilty, but after hearing the evidence of Constables Clements and Heslop, the Magistrate convicted all the accused, fining each 15s and costs. The licensee, for whom Mr Lovell appeared was convicted of selling liquor after hours, fined £2 and costs and ordered to pay police expenses. Other informations were withdrawn by Sergt, Mclntyre. Later, the police called again and arising out of this visit the licensee was further charged with illegal selling of liquor and fined £5 and costs, and a person other than the licensee charged with selling liquor at the same hotel was fined £2 and costs. By-Law Breaches: E. Caldwle! was charged With allowing a cow to stray in Lyndhurst St. Inspector J. W. Jope gave evidence as to the charge, defendant being fined 15s and costs. On a similar charge R. Hansby was fined. £1 and costs, it being his second offence. Samuel Luff, another second offender, charged also with allowing a cow to stray was fined £1 and costs. For riding a bicycle on the footpath in Bright Street, Frederick Wood was fined 5s and costs 10s. Norton Jeffrey Bcngye and E.. Leighton, on similar charges, were each finS. Kane of Birchfield, was charged with allowing cattle- to’ stray on the county road near Waimangaroa. Inspector G. 'Blyth (Mr 11. Lovell) gave evidence concerning the charge. De fendant. who did not appear was fined 15s and costs 10s with solicitor’s fee 10s 6d. One month was allowed in which to pay. Motor Collision: William R. Nahr was charged with a breach of the Motor Regulations in that he did not give way to traffic ap-p-oaching on his right at. an intersection, resulting in a collision with a car driven by Miles Maginnity; After hearing evidence the Magistrate held that a breach had occurred, and inflicted a fine of £5 and costs. Warden’s Court: ' The Warden granted the following business yesterday:—J. Martin, prospecting licenses (3); J. Dymond and others, application for coal lease; M. S. O’Malley, ordinary prospecting 1 license; A. P. Herring, water race; N. 1 Hampton, special sea beach claim; J. K. Bailie, ordinary prospecting license; W. Bennie, extended sea beach claim; J. Peniberth, relief under coal lease; A. Fischer, ordinary prospecting license; A. W. Morrett, prospecting Jisence; K A. Johnson and A. Duncan special alluvial claim; J. Costello, water race license; A. Salen and J. Milne extended sea beach claim; Mclntosh, Willman 'and .party, application, for relief under coal lease. —Payment of arrears of rent postponed. An Objector: Addison’s Exploration Co., Ltd. applied for a license for a tail race which was objected to by John McCann. After hearing lengthy evidence the case was adjourned to permit t>he part'CS to ccme to an agreement. Poultry Club Annual Meeting: 'Mr S. Anderson was in the chair at the annual meeting of members of the Westport Poultry Club. The- election of officers resulted as follows: — Patron, Mr E. Patten; President, Mr 8. Paul; Vice-Presidents—S. Anderson, J- Neighbours and J. Hutt; Secretary, D. Broad;! Assiisitamt-Secretary, Les Solomon; Treasurer, A. Morley; Committee, All present, with the addition of O. Prince, R. Gear, J. Fountain e, J. McFarlane and J. Luff; Auditors —D. Mann senr., A. O’Neill. It was agreed that an effort should be made to revive the annual show held under the auspices of the Millerton and Granity Poultry Clubs. West--4 port fanciers promised all support pos-

sible. Eight new members were elected. New Books: The following books are now available to_ subscribers at the Public Library: Much Loved by R. M. Ayres; All Over Again, by R. M. Ayres; And Shadow Flee, by M. Stuart; Diamond River Man, by E. Cunningham; Folded Hills, by S. E. White; Mr Bobadie, bv F. Beeding; Windmill Mystery, by J. J. Farjeon; Square Shooter, ‘b}- ' W. MacLeod Raine; House in ' Greek Street, by S. Horley; Strange Witness, by B. Symons. Shipping: The Totara, Poolta and Abel Tasman sailed yesterday. The Rata arrived this morning from Nelson. s The Fairburn is in port. Morgan’s Pictures WESTPORT. Bebe Daniels makes one re-live every moment .of heartbreaking triumph with heh in her latest picture, ‘‘Registered Nurse,” at the Victoria Theatre to-night and to-morrow (Saturday) matinee and evening. This shows one crowded hour of amazing drama of women fighting for love in u world of X-Rays and ex-sweethearts. Lyle Talbot, John Halliday, Irene Franklyn, Minna Gombell head the big supporting east of players. It is recommended by Censor for adults. A supporting attraction is the first chapter of the new serial, “Clancy of the Mounted,” an adventure story of the far north. Trains on Saturday at 5.10 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. MONDAY AND TUESDAY. Two feature attractions will be presented on Monday and Tuesday. Tim McCoy in a western romance, “Man in Action,” and “Romance in the Rain,” starring Roger Pryor, Heather Angel, Esther Ralston, Victor Moore, etc., a romantic musical comedy. Both pictures are approved for universal exhibition.