MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17904, 25 September 1918, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

CHRISTCHURCH. Mr S. E. M’Carthy, S.M., preaided at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The police proceeded against Ashloigh Lewis .(Mr Ouningham) for maintenance in respect of a child m an industrial school. After hearing evidence by defendant the Magistrate made an order for {payment at the rate of 3s a week. Mary Louisa Afchfield proceeded against her husband, James Arthur Athfield, who was represented by Mr Cuningham, for maintenance for herself and three children. Mr Cuningham said that the defendant lived Wellington, and he asked that the case should bo adjourned so that defendant’s evidence could be taken at Wellington. The Magistrate decided to hear complainant’s evidence. The complainant said that she could not live with her husband because he had been cruel to her. On account of the fact that complainant made serious allegations against the defendant the Magistrate decided to adjourn the case for a fortnight in order that defendant’s evidence might he taken, _ but on the understanding that ha paid £2 a week by way of maintenance towards his wife and three children.

Charles James Fluty, who did not appear, was proceeded against h.y the police for disobedience ol a maintenance order in respect of his brother, an inmate of an industrial school. The arrears amounted to £24 Is'* SeniorSergeant Cummings said that the case bad been previously adjourned till October 15 provided defendant paid 5s a week off tbe arrears. Ho had not done so and, therefore, the case had been brought on. If defendant found the weekly payment to be excessive he could apply for relief from the Court. This had been pointed out to him. Defendant was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, no warrant to issue until applied for. Richard William Barnden was charged with disobedience of a maintenance order in respect of seven children in the Christchurch Receiving Home. It was stated that the arrears amounted to £194 4s, the' total weekly maintenance being £2 9s. After hearing the defendant’s evidence the Magistrate said that it was impossible for the defendant to pay the amount. He could not see how the order had ever been made. Defendant was not earning more than £3 a week, so that, if he paid full maintenance, he would have only 11s a week for himself. Senior-Sergeant Cummings said ho quite realised that the position was nn impossible one, but the .Education Department wnntcd the case settled one way or the other. The Magistrate said that 30s a week- was the maximum the defendati’ could pay. He adjourned the case for a fortnight, in order that the position could be laid before the Education Department. Florence Jessie Howard (Mr Raphael) proceeded against her husband, John Paul Howard (Mr Donnelly) for main-* tenance and separation orders, on the ground of habitual drunkenness.' The complainant said that she wanted a separation order for protection. She did not press for maintenance, as she considered that her husband could hardly maintain himself. She kept boarders and was able to make a living. Hie Magistrate granted a separation order.

LYTTELTON. Mr W. T- Lester, J.P., and Mr F. G. \ T orton, J.P., presided at the Lyttelton Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Jacob Erickson and Albert Fosse, charged with a breach of the peace, were each fined £2, in default one month's imprisonment. RANGIORA. Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presided at the ltangipra Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Thomas M’Grath and Allan Watson, for , riding bicvcles at night without a light, were each fined 10s and costs 7s. Leslie B. Burnett, for driving his motor-car without a light, was also fined 10s and costs 7s. s In a charge against L. Burns for riding a motor-cycle without a light he explained that he met with nn accident. Ho was convicted and discharged.