MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1937, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

SITTING AT GREYMOUTH The following cases were dealt with by Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth yesterday. Frank Preston was charged with using indecent language in Johnson Street on October 30. Defendant, yho was represented by Mr W. D. Taylor, pleaded not guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. Evan Page, wharf foreman, employed by the Railways Department, said that on October 30, defendant was engaged by the Railway Department. About 3.50 p.m. Preston left his work and went to an hotel and when he returned he was too drunk to work. Witness dismissed him, and he used abusive language, named in the charge, which could be heard over 200 yards away. There were quite a number of women about. . To Mr Taylor: It would not be lair to suggest that his evidence was a little bit exaggerated. It would have been possible for people to hear it in other streets. Defendant continued for ten minutes with his bad languag e Thomas Gilmore, foreman, employed by the Railways Department, corroborated the evidence of Page. Constable Andrell said that he went to the wharf shed at 4.30 p.m. and there .saw Preston. He was under the influence of liquor but was not druaK - Witness told Preston that there had been a complaint about him using obscene and abusive language, and he denied using it. Preston in evidence, said that ne met with an accident, tearing h' s trousers, and went tnrough the Hbtel. As he came out rage sacked him, which was “a put-up job by the Union Company.” The discussion, he claimed, took place between the watersiders’ shed and the railway office. The argument was heated, and words were used on both sides. A couple of days afterwards Page came along and threatened to put witness into hospital in front of a constable, whose number was 39. “I know the joker. He’s not here,”, said defendant, who denied being in Johnson Street. To the Senior-Sergeant: He had every right to go to the hotel. He was not remaining on the wharf witn his pants torn like they were, as he would have been charged with indecent exposure. Defendant was convicted and fined £3, with costs 16s. 1 Joseph Celestine Revell, was charged with the theft of a hammer, a pair of tin snips, and a pair of pruning shears, a total value of 12s 6d, the property of William Harman, at Christci.urch on October 14. Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Detective-Sergeant Knight said that accused was employed by a solicitor to do some gardening in Christchurch, and took some tools to his home and failed to return them. This young man had not had a very good past record, but had met with some very decent people here, whom he had. told of his past record. He had made good and he suggested that the young man be given another chance. These people were prepared to keep him in employment. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up lor sentence if called upon within six months. The Magistrate, in extending leniency, told accused not to come before the Court again.

Appearing on remand, James Henry Anson Cameron, single, 24, was charged that on or about August 7, 1937, at Greymouth, he stole an overcoat and a suit, of a total value of £5 19s, ■ the property of Miller’s Warehouse Ltd.

Detective-Sergeant H. E. Knight asked for a further remand to. December 20, stating that other charges were pending. • • Mr J. W. Hannan for accused asked for renewal.

Detective-Sergeant Knight offered no objection and the application was granted, accused being remanded in one surety of £5O. Llwellyn John Williams (Mr W. D. Taylor), charged with disobedience of a maintenance order in respect of his wife, applied for remission of arrears totalling £3B 10s. After hearing the evidence of defendant, the Magistrate remitted all the arrears. He also reduced the current order from £1 per week to 17s-6d.