MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 February 1925, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

ELTHAM SITTING

At Eltharn yesterday, Mr A. M. Mowlem, S.M.,‘ presided over the first, fortnightly sitting of the court held this /year, t Prior to the commencement, of the court, proceedings, Mr Tt B. Crump, on behalf of members of the Bar, extended New Year greetings to his Worship. Mr Crump expressed the hope that the vacation had proved pleasurable to his Worship, and that through-, out the year 1925 he would be able to i find increasing pleasure in the work of the court, together with members ofthe Bar. In reply, Mr Mowlem thanked the previous sneaker and. members of the Bar for their kind greetings, and in heartily reciprocating them, wished the legal nraetitioners a most successful year, and trusted that the harmonious relationship which had previously existed between the Bench and the Bar would be continued. CIVIL CASES. Judgment for plaintiffs by default - was given in the following undefended * cases; L. Swindlehurst v. S. G. Lockley, £2O 19s 2d (costs £4 Is); Sir Wal- . teV Carncross and Son v. Geo. Barker, £1 10s (costs 8s); Frank Casey v. H. W. Hillman, £2 12s 6d (costs £1 3s 6d); Fraser and Spurdle v. E. H. Claridge, £1 9s 8d (costs 10s) ; P. N. Petty v. J. Wallace, £9 2s 10a (costs £1 17s 6d); same v. H. Hardaker, £2 6s 7d (costs £1 9s 6d).

UNLAWFULLY ON LICENSED PREMISES. For being found on the licensed premises of the Dominion Hotel, Kaponga, without lawful excuse on Sunday, December 14, John Wallace, a labourer/ of Kapuni, and Frederick W. Askew, farmer, of Cardiff, were each fined;2os and 7s costs.

In evidence Constable O’Donoghue said that at about 4.15 p.m. on the day mentioned he had noticed Wallace enter the. hotel. Witness followed find questioned Wallace, who said he had entered the hotel to make ■ inquiries concerning tea time. The licensee, however, had said that Wallacb had asked for a drink. Askew had offered no excuse in explanation of his presence in the hotel. The bar was closed, and evidently no drink had been served to defendants. . FAILED-TO KEEP WAGES BOOK. J. Sheehy, baker, Eltham, who was charged that, being the occupier of a factory within the meaning of the Act,, he failed to keep a wages and overtime heek. was fined 20s and costs amounting to £1 3s Bd. Inspector C. J. Smith said the prescribed book had not been kept for three months prior to his visit. The inspector did not ask for a heavy penalty, as it did not appear that any wilful attempt to defraud the employees had been made. Defendant had paid certain amounts respecting overtime worked, hut to safeguard the employees it avas necessary that the wages and overtime book should he kept up to date. Mr T. B. Crump, who appeared for defendant, pleaded guilty, and asked that a light penalty only be inflicted, as in failing to keep the book defendant had not designed towards escaping the payment of wages or overtime due to his employees. BY-LAW BROKEN. The failure of Jack Wishnewski to negotiate the traffic dome on the correct side when turning from Mountain i-oad into/Bridge street, resulted in the infliction of a fine of 20s and costs Bs.