HASTINGS MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 282, 13 November 1929, Page 5

HASTINGS MAGISTRATE’S COURT

(Before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.)

TO-DAY’S CASES,

Oliver Burge was fined £1 with costs 10/- for riding a cycle at night without lights. Thomas Victor Morrin (Mr. F. P. Kelly) pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of a wireless set without a license.—Counsel stated that this was the first set the defendant had possessed. He had only just purchased it and was under the impression that the agent was arranging for the license. He had no intention of evading the law. A fine of £1 with costs 10/- was inflicted.

John Henry Bull pleaded guilty to entering the Grand Hotel during the currency of his prohibition order.— The evidence for the police was that a constable saw the defendant in the bar. This was the second breach of the order. The defendant stated that he went into the hotel to see a man who was to give him some money. He was fined £3 with costs 10/-. Colin Kirkpatrick, Senr., pleaded guilty to a charge that on October 9 he did sell ice-cream which did not contain 10 per cent, of milk fat and thereby did not comply with the regulations.—He explained that when he took over the business three years ago he was taught the mixture and had made up the ice-cream accordingly ever since. He did not know that it was not according to regulations. His Worship pointed out that breaches of the Food and Drugs Act were looked upon as serious. The public had to be protected. The defendant would be fined £3 with costs £1 3/6. YOUTH IN TROUBLE. Raymond William Butcher was charged with on October 28 at Waipukurau he did steal a bottle of whisky, valued at 7/-, the property of Alexander McGlashan. ije pleaded < guilty. — Senior-Sergeant Dempsey stated that the accused took the bottle out of a car. His explanation was that it belonged to a jockey friend. The accused, who was just over 17 years, was inclined to be a larrikin. His Worship: Have you anything to say? The accused: Nothing. • Did you want a drink?—l decline to answer. Do you realise that I am the Magistrate. Did you want a drink? —Yes. So you stole it instead of buying it?—* His Worship expressed doubt as to the advisability of admitting certain youths to probation. He thought more restraint should be exercised. The accused was admitted to probation for a period of 18 months. SPEEDING MOTORISTS. Harold Harrison wrote pleading guitly to a charge that on October 17 he drove a motor-cycle at a speed which might have been dangerous to the public and also to a charge of failing to stop when requested to do so by a constable.—The evidence showed that the defendant was travelling along Heretaunga street at about 25 miles an hour. He did not stop when the constable walked out on to the road, but looked back. He was fined £2 and the first count and £1 pn the second with costs 10/- in each case. Raymond Hjrd wrote pleading guilty to a charge of driving a motorvehicle at a speed which might have been dangerous to the public.—The b speed was estimated at 35 miles an ' hour. The defendant, apparently, was passing a car. He was fined £2 with costs 10/-. John William Boag wrote pleading guilty to a similar charge. He was also convicted and fined £2'with costs 10/-. The evidence of the constable was to the effect that Boag and Hird were repeatedly passing each other on Pakowhai road. CROSSED A RAILWAY LINE. James William McLauchlan pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a vehicle across a railway crossing when the line was not dear.—Senior-Sergeant Dempsey stated hat the porter was at the crossing with his flag out. The defendant stated that it was not until he was actually on the line that the porter came on the scene. The porter stopped him right on the line. There was no flag in his hand. His Worship pointed out that the railway regulations stipulated that if there was a train within half a mile of the crossing then the motorist must stop. The defendant was fined £1 10/with costs 10/-. BREACH OF HEALTH ACT. H. J. Wright (Mr. E. J. W Hallett) pleaded guilty to a charge that on September 3 ht did sell milk which was not up to the standard prescribed under the Sale of Foods and Drugs Act. Senior-Sergeant Dempsey stated that a health inspector purchased n sample of the defendant s milk and found it was not up to standard. ( Counsel stated that the defendant had a number of runner boys, who delivered the milk. On the day in question the defendant went into a customer’s house. While there a boy, new to the run. took milk from one big can which had not been stirred and consequently the sample, when taken per medium of the tap at the bottom of the can. was not up to standard. The defendant had had a run for 12 years in Hastings. Several samples had been taken at various times and the percentage had been considerably higher than required. His Worship said he would take all the circumstances into account, but the defendant was responsible for the action of his employees. He would be fined £3 with costs £1 16/-. CIVIL CASES. Judgment by default was entered in the following cases:—Atkin. Son and Stacey v. H. Whyte. £1 15s, costs 14s; R. Harding v. H. Whyte, £2 2s, costs £1 9s fid; L. P. Hayward and Co. v. H. Whyte, 13s lOd. costs 14s; M. Patterson v. H. Wilson £7 10s, eots, £1 10s 6d; C. Martin v. E. Jones, £7 4s, costs £! 10s 6d; Millar and Giorgi v. J. Houlahan. £2 2s, costs £1 3s fid; T. Donovan v. G. Cameron, £4 3s 9d. costs £1 19s 6d. Judgment summonses. —D... Rcpiha was ordered to pay M. Patterson £fi » 18s fid forthwith, in default seven days’ imprisonment.