MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 March 1925, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

SITTING AT HAWERA. PO LJCE PR 0 ORE DINGS. Cases brought- by the police against a number of offenders were dealt with b.v Air. J. S. Barton, S.M., at the Hmvera Magistrate’s Court to-day. LIQUOR LAWS DEFIED. “This man is addicted to drink and his wife and family have to suffer,” said Sergeant Henry, when a. labourer named Toney Lukashefold was charged with a breach of his prohibition order.. The police evidence was to the effect that defendant had been standing on a street corner in Hawera when he was approached by his wife, who soon discovered that he was under the influence of drink. Knowing that he was a prohibited pel’s on she informed the police and kept a watch on the man. Soon afterwards 'defendant went up. the street and met a man named Sydney L. Faulkner, who ‘went into the Royal Hotel and procured two bottles of beer for Lukosh-efski. Constable Fleming, who had followed the men, then approached Faulkner, who told a lot of untruths about the matter, stating that his, name was Fulton. The liquor was handed over to the constable and Faulkner’s correct name ascertained, Defendant was fined £1 and 7s court costs, recoverable by distress; in default 48 hours’ imprisonment with hard labour in the Hawera. lock-up.

In connection with the same circumstances Sydney L. Faulkner was •charged with procuring liquor for a prohibited person. His Worship said he took a serious view of Faulkner’s attitude. A fine of £lo' and 7s court costs, recoverable bydistress; in default one months’ imprisonment with hard labour. BREACH OF ARMS ACT. John Walden pleaded guilty to a charge of procuring a firearm without a permit. Sergt. Henry said that defendant’s brother purchased a Colt revolver at Napier, and defendant bought the fire, arm from his cousin. Defendant went to the police station to register his new possession, and it was then that Constable Pidgeon discovered the breach. His Worship said that the Act had been in force for a long time, and he had a couple of prosecutions a month under it in his district, between Ha-wera-and Wanganui. However, he recognised that the offence had been committed in a natural manner, but he considered that it would be better to put the weapon where it would not hurt anyone. He ordered that the weapon be confiscated and,' that defendant he convicted and discharged and ordered to pay 5s translation fee.

The cousin, Henry Walden, was charged with delivering a firearm to a person without a permit. He was convicted and ordered to pay the court costs, 7s. NEGLTGENT DRIVING.

In conne.cit.ioni with a charge of negligent driving preferred' against Bongo Niaina, the borough inspector (Air. L. Hunt) gave evidence to the effect, that defendant was riding a motoi cycle up High Street in the direction of the park when he pulled over to the right-hand side of the road to -stop in front ,of a fish shop. In doing iso he ran into a. motor car and caused minor diannage. The. inspector stated t.hntht was intended to enforce the by-law dealing with motorists pulling on to the wrong aide of the. road and .stopping facing the way the traffic was: coining. Defendant, who did not appear, wasfined £2 and 7*t court, costs, and, ss. I raiislfation fee. BY-LAW OFFENCES.

For driving a motor-car without a rear light John Tutauha was fined 2s Gd and 7s court costs and os translation fee. C. Trotter, for a similar offence, was fined 7k 6d and 7s court costs. For riding a© hi cycle in High Street without a light, Alfred Lyons was fined 10s and 7s court costs. Robert J. Buchanan and John Patrick A. Norris were each fined £1 and 7s court costs for failing to register under the Defence Act. For the same offence William P. Rose was fined £T 10s and 7s court costs.

His Worship said he took a more lenient view of the case o,f offenders who lived in the 11011-effective area, but nevertheless there was plenty of publicity given to such cases, and there was no excuse for the offences. Sergeant Henry said he was satisfied that young fellows knew the law, and discussed the matter amongst themselves, and waited until they were located by the authorities. SHORT-WEIGHT BREAD.

A charge of selling short-weight ■bread was preferred against Francis William Oliver, a baker, of Hawera. Sergeant Henry said that- Mr Gudinan, Inspector of Health, visited Oliver’s shop and procured a 21b loaf, which lie found to be loz short weight. The inspector subsequently procured other loaves, which on_ weighing he found to be loz and 7 drams, 14 drams and 12 drams respectively, short weight. Four other loaves procured w«re tjie correct weight. Defendant, who pleaded guilty, said that the batch in question was overbaked, and therefore lost weight. A fine of £3 and 7s court costs was imposed.