MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1039, 11 June 1924, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

COMPANIONS IN TROUBLE. CONSTABLE'S~BONA FIDES DOUBTED. At tho Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., two men who had come in conflict with the police were arraigned to answer various charges. The circumstances from which tho trouble had arisen were detailed by Constable Boyd who, observing three men entering a local hotel after hours, had followed them in with tho intention of ascertaining the purpose of the visit. Being in plain clothes the bona tides of the constable had been questioned and a wordy argumet had ensued in which uncomplimentary references had been made to the constable. The party had repaired to the street with the purpose of obtaining identification of the constable and the central figure, William Jones, had there committed the offences for which he was brought before tho magistrate. He had in consequence to answer two charges: (1) Obstructing Constable Boyd in the execution of his duty, and (2) using insulting language. Accused pleaded that he was a stranger to the constable and the latter was unknown tp him and he had doubted the intentions of the constable.

Constable Boyd, however, explained that he had had reason' to speak to the accused earlier in the day when in uniform.

Constable Bell, who had been also in plain clothes, stated that he had been proceeding along Main street on a bicycle when ho had witnessed the accused strike Constable Boyd. He had gone to the latter's aid and had assisted him in effecting the arrest of tho accused.

The Magistrate convicted Jones and fined him £2 on each charge, in default seven days' imprisonment. Joseph Eade, the second party in the case, was then charged with obstructing Constable Boyd in the execution of his duty. Evidence was given by the two constables to tho effect that Eade had persisted in boarding the ear seemed to take his companion to tlxe station, despite the warning that, he was rendering himself subject to arrest.

Accused pleaded that he had wished to accompany his companion with a view to ascertaining whether the constables were bona fide and if so to endeavour to obtain bail fur him. On arrival at the police station he had been surprised to find himself under arrest.

The Magistrate; in discharging accused, stated that he would give him tho benefit of the doubt. ANOTHER OFFENDER. Thomas Reid appeared to answer a charge that, on Juno 10, lie had been found drunk in George street and further that ho had used indecent language. In, electing to he dealt with summarily, accused pleaded that he had no recollection of using the language complained of. On the charge of drunkenness he. \vas fined 5s in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and 40;s, in default seven days' on the second count, while he was also ordered to pay the sum of 2s 6d cab hire.