MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 December 1928, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

SITTING AT ELTHAM

At the Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday, judgment for plaintiff by default was entered in the following undefended civil cases: Ira J. Bridger v. Edward Bull, £3 2s; same v. George Baker, £1 ss. NON-ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL. Thomas Austin, Rawhitiroa, against whom a charge of failing to send his son to school on two specified dates was adjourned at the last sitting of the court, was represented by Mr. A. A. Stewart, who stated that defendant bad thought bis son was receiving medical treatment on the dates mentioned in the charge, but had since ascertained that such was not the case. On the dates in question, however, his milking machine had broken down, necessitating milking by band, and the boy bad been kept at home to assist. A promise was made that he would attend regularly in future. George Pascoe, truant officer under the Taranaki Education Board, gave evidence that the omission, was not an isolated instance, as the boy’s record showed 112 attendances in a possible 146.

The magistrate stressed the importance of regular attendance at school, as the statute gave authority to inflict fines for every week in which absenoe occurred, making it a costly business to parents who failed to send their children to school. Proper ments were possible' •if it was found neressarv to keep children away. Defendant was convicted and; ordered to pay costs 10s.

ILLEGALLY ON PREMISES. W. J. Griffin was fined £2. with 10s costs, for being found illegally on the Eltliam Hotel premises at 9.40 p.m. on November 17.

Constable Townsend gave evidence of surprising defendant, in company with three other men who were convicted and fined at the last sitting of the court. When questioned in the backyard of the hotel, defendant made no excuse for being on the premises.