MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1939, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

SITTING AT GREYMOUTH. GREYMOUTH, September 26. Business, transacted at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Mr G. G. Chisholm, SiM.-, presiding, included: John Walter Baxter pleaded guilty to (I) aiding and abetting the offence of J. W. Baxter, junr., in driving a motor-truck without being the holder of a driver’s license; (2) failing to carry an inspection certificate on a goods service vehicle, and was . fined 10/- and costs 10/- on each charge. UNLICENSED WIRELESS. On charges of operating unlicensed wireless receivers, Jchp Kenneth Thompson, Malaehi Johnston, Peter Nelson, Winifred Stewart, Andrew Alfred Fielding, Joshua Thomas Carson, Mary Rea, John Fuy, Nathan Rothwell, William Saunders, Athol Clarke, Jane Isabelle Wesley, Matilda Currie, Alan Baty, John J. Earl and William Hodgson, each‘of whom had subsequently taken out licenses, were convicted and each ordered to pay costs. Rodney Warren, who had not taken out a license for a new set purchased in April, was fined 10/-, plus 12/6 fees due, with costs. George Pryme, whom, it was stated, had been operating a set without a license for over a year, was fined £1 ; plus £l/5/- fees due, with costs. The S.M., in convicting each of the defendants, said that he hoped that the publicity given would make people realise their responsibility and thus save them extra expense. ASSAULT CASE. Alfred O’Brien pleaded guilty to assaulting Leslie Brown, at Greymouth, on September 9. The Senior-Sergeant said that defendant was a wharf labourer, employed on the Greymouth wharf, where the complainant, Brown, was foreman. On September 9, defendant left the gang which was working a ship, and went across to a nearby hotel. The foreman followed him and asked him to cumo back, as they wanted to get the ship away on the next tide. Brown returned to the ship and was followed by defendant, who evidently resented being asked to return. Defendant commenced to abuse the foreman and struck him twice with his fists. Defendant had probably had some liquor, but lie had a ,previous conviction for a .similar offence three months ago. The S.iU. said that he had to take; into account'that defendant was fined* three months'ago ’for'a similar offence,; which seemed an indication that lie was; rather in the habit of using his fists.; It appeared that more than defendant/ were involved in the request by Brown to return to work, hut lie was the only one to take the law into his own hands. He hoped defendant realised the position lie was in. Counsel had suggested that Brown laid no need to go to the police, hut no man in a position of authority as lie was, was expected to take such action from anyone, without taking steps to protect himself. He (the S,M.) would take into considers* tion what had been.said" on defendant’s behalf, and he would lie fined £2, with costs, ■