MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 13 June 1927, Page 9

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

SITTING AT MANAIA. The monthly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Man ala was held today,'Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., presiding. CIVIL CASES. Judgment was given by default in the following undefended civil cases: Wriglit and Lawrence V. Wi Paraeroa, £11; .same v. Kaiake, junr., £25; A. H. Christie v. John Daymor, £25 17s. On a. judgment summons Aka. Manu was ordered to pay £4 8s 6d to R. S. I''. Craig within 21 days, in default five days’ imprisonment.

NOXIOUS WEEDS, For failure te clear ragwort on liis farm at Auroa, Road, Alanaia, Awa Pepe, was proceeded against by Mr. G. Ford, noxious weeds inspector. Air. Ford stated that inspections of the land were made in November and December of last year, and February and Alay <jf this year. After the February visit the usual notice wag sent and the defendant promised to clear the ragwort. When the property was inspected in May it was found that the weeds at y the front of the. farm had been cut, but a full acre of thickly grown ragwort at the back of the farm had been left standing. The natives were very erratic and spasmodic in their work and the prosecutions had been brought to, impress upon them the necessity for clearing weeds. Inspector G. F. Jaine gave evidence on the lines of Air Ford’s statement. The magistrate stressed the necessity for noxious weeds being cleared by native as well a,s European owners, and remarked that future cases would not receive such lenient treatment. The defendant was find £1 10s, with costs Tamanui Whakaneke, of Aianaia, who was similarly charged, pleaded guilty. Air. Ford stated that this case was similar to the previous one. All the scattered plants at the front of the farm, had been cut, but large patches at the rear were found to be in full bloom. The defendant was fined £L with costs 15s.

DRIVERS’ LICENSFJS. Tamamii Whakaneke was also proceeded against for driving a car at Alanaia on May 26 without- being the holder of a- driver's license. He entered ia plea of guilty. / The defendant offered the excuse that lie had accompanied his brother to. the railway station at Hawera in the latter’is car and had brought the car back to Manaia. He had previously driven a car, but had not taken out a license. The magistrate stressed the importance of the licenses and pointed out that offenders were liable for a fine Qt £lO. A penalty of lO.s with costs 12-s was inflicted. James- Wilson, \\;ho drove a motor lorry at Manaia on May 18 Avas also charged with not having a license. He pleaded guilty. Go ns table J. Scannell stated that the defendant had taken out a license on May 27, 1926, and was under the impression that it AVQuld run for twelve months. . . -. The magistnate isaid it was diitieuix t-o believe that a professional driver as Wilson Avas could be so ignorant about the laws concerning drivers-’ licenses, lie avould be fined 10s, with costs 10. s.