MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Grey River Argus, 26 January 1943, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREYMOUTH SITTING. Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., presided over a sitting of the Magistrates Court at Greymou th yesterday. Senior-Sergeant G. F. Bonisch represented tne police. William Douglas Darcy Page, charged with riding a bicycle withI out a light, was fined IDs with costs I I Qs'. George McLean, on a similar charge,""was also lined 10s, with costs William Maloney and David John Weir were charged with felling or removing from Crown land, without authority, between July 1 and August 1, 1043, 81 mining props. Mr. F. W. Kitchingham said that information was received in Hokitika that illegal cutting was going on. An inspection was made by the Ranger, and 81 mining props were found alongside the road. These were seized, and the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika sent a notice to Maloney, asking him to prove his ownership. Maloney claimed ownership and indicated that he was operating in partnership with Weir. He stated that ne had the dredgemaster’s authority to cut timber. In another statement he said that he thought the land was freehold. It was hardly likely, Mr. Kitchingham said, that an experienced timber getter would be under a misconception of that sort. Maloney had previously been the holder ot licenses from" the Crown. Proceedings in respect of illegal cuttings had been taken frequently in the last few years, and there were propoply 9 to 12 offenders for every one caught. Illegal cutters were placed in a favourable position as compared with other cutters. Probably it was -ettmg near the stage when prosecutions for warning purposes only might be insufficient, and when it I must be insisted that licenses be obtained before timber was cut. Basil King, Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika, stated that he was the informant in the present charges. He' had seen one stack and had been told of the other l?y the ranger. He confirmed the evidence regarding the sending of a notice to Maloney. David John Weir said that the Crown had seized 81 props. He attended to his own permits and his partner attended*to his. He had been assured by Maloney that the land , was freehold. Timber had been re-' moved from time to time and no j permits had been granted there lately, so. it was thought that it must be freehold property. To the Magistrate, Mr. Kitchingham said that the Crown would not be out of pocket over the sale of the timber. It had been seized and would be disposed of. Weir said that he had cut on Crown lands and in State forest for 8 years and had had no previous difficulties. They had been cutting on the dredge area. The man with the clearing contract had said that they were interfering with his work, so they had immediately gone to his (Muir’s) permit and cut there.

The Magistrate said that the two defendants worked together ana must take the risks. Beach would be fined 17, with costs 8s 6d and solicitor’s fee fl 11s 6d. John James Bourke was charged with using premises at 156 Preston Road as a common gaming house. He pleaded guilty. Chief Detective H. E. Knight said that on Saturday afternoon he visited the house where defendent resided. Silver betting was being carried on at totalisator odds, and cards were found with odds of 33 to one against selecting four pl&ce-getters in four races. The bets were small. Defendant admitted that he had carried on for 18 months. Defendant had suffered considerable ill-health and thought, mistakenly, that he would augment his earnings in this way. Nothing was previously known against him. Defendant said he had nothing to say. He did not intend to carry on. Defendant was fined £2O, and was allowed one month in which to pay the fine. An order was made for the destruction of the documents found on the premises.