ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 25 January 1927, Page 9

ELTHAM.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT,

The fortnightly -sitting of the Eltharn Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., was held this

morning. W. A lancer was charged with a breach of section 104 of the Eltharn Borough Council By-laws in riding a bicycle on the footpath and was fined 10s with. 7s costs. The information was laid by Constable- Townsend. On the information of Country Ranger Williams H. Greening, A. James and G. R, Steer, were convicted of riding bicycles without lights. Mr. H. L. Reeves appeared on behalf of the County Council and stressed the gravity of this offence, which, he said, was becoming all too prevalent. Motorists complained that it was a common occurrence- to pass or overtake cyclists who carried neither lights nor reflectors. He pointed out that the imposition of an increased fine some time ago had effected a decrease in the offences under this head, but latterly a return to carelessness on the part of riders called for a repetition of stern measures and he asked for fines that would have a -salutary effect. Each offender was ordered to pay 10s and 15s Cd costs.

YOUTHFUL LAREIKTNISM.

At the instance of the police, three rcspccta-ble-looking local youths faced the 'Magistrate to answer charges of committing damage to property and endangering property. A fourth youth was implicated, but in consequence of his absence from the district, a summons had not been served. The circumstances arose out of a desire to take a hand in the settlement of the existing turbulent situation in China, which resulted in a visit to the business premises of an Eltharn Chinese fruiterer on the evening of January 9 and a fusilade of stones on the roof. One of the attacking party confessed to throwing two stones at once with the same hand. Misdirection was 'the natural sequence, and one of the stones crashed through the. Chinaman’s window.

The Alngistratc imparted wholesome advice to the delinquents, and commented on t.ho fact that it was n«.T. ‘'playing the game” to molest, inoffensive residents, irrespective of nationality. On extracting promises from the defendants that, the present proceedings would be a well-remembered lesson to them and a deterrent from any further lapse of the kind, His Worship dismissed the information, with costs, and made an order for the suppression of the offenders’ names. MAINTENANCE ORDER,

H. J. Jacobsen was ordered to pay £1 per week off arrears of £24 for the maintenance of his wife, E. Jacobsen, sour., in default one month’s imprisonment in New Plymouth gaol. CIVIL CASES. . Judgment for plaintiff was delivered in the .following undefended civil cases: Albert W. Skiviugton v. Eka Pakira, £2O (costs £3 15s); T. B. Crump v. A., H. H., and A. White, £3B Os 4d (costs £5 15s Gel). BREACH OF THE POLICE.

In the eas© Police v. H. Midgley, Jumbo Hori and W. Hori, charged with committing a breach of the- peace in the backyard of a local hotel on January 12, H. Midgley was the only one of the defendaiits to put in an appearance.

Constable Townsend gave evidence that Midgley had admitted to him that lie had struck one of the Maoris upon the latter passing an insulting remark to him, and a general melee had ensued. The constable had been unable to serve a summons on the Maoris, who resided at Normanby, but were, at present working in the country. Midgley admitted to the Bench that he had been engaged in the disturbance. and was fined 10s and 7s costs.