BULLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 76, 25 February 1930, Page 9

BULLS

COURT SITTING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) BULLS, Feb. 23.

Mr R. M. Watson, S.M., presided over a* sitting of the Magistrate’s Court here on Saturday morning, and there was a large number present. As tho result of Constable Larmer’s visit to the Criterion Hotel, Bulls, on the evening of December 2nd last, C. C. Price (licensee) and W. McDonell (barman), and a number of persons found on the premises were charged with breaches of the Licensing Act. The licensee’s case was taken first, Mr R. Mackay appearing for defendant, and Sergeant Cahill conducting the prosecution. On Mr Mackay entering a plea of guilty for his client on a charge of selling liquor, other charges were withdrawn. Sergt. Cahill, in outlining the facts of tho case, stated that Constable Larmer paid a visit to he Criterion Hotel at about 7.40 p.m. on December 2, arid there found a number of persons in the passage and in the bar, both Price and his barman being in the bar. Price admitted selling liquor, his excuse being that there had been a number of persons in to tea, it being tho evening of the Feilding races, and they asked for drinks, which he allowed to be served. Price had been previously convicted, about two years ago, and had then been fined £l. Ho was perfectly frank in admitting the present offence. Mr Mackay said that tho position was as stated by the sergeant. It was a race night, and a good number of persons had stayed there for tea. It was only a small hotel, however, and Mr Price could not afford to employ a wine steward. Theso persons, having had a meal in the house, were entitled to a drink, and the licensee hod permitted them to enter the bar for that purpose. It was true that his client had been previously fined, but the breach was tho act of his servant on that occasion, Mr Price not being present at the time. The fine was only a nominal one. His Worship said that although on tho previous conviction Price was not to blame, the present case was different, and he would have to be more careful in the future, otherwise his license might be endangered. Ho would be fined £lO, with costs 10s.

Mr Mackay entered a plea of guilty on behalf of W. McDonell, barman, and said that tho facts would be admitted. Sergt. Cahill said that McDonell had been convicted previously. He was fined £5, with costs 10s.

The following persons found on tho premises on December 2 pleaded guilty: —W. Dalrymple, C. KUery, H. P. Green, E. V. Wilson and G. Castle, and each was fined £1 10s, with costs 10s, with the exception of Castle, whose fine was £2. G. W. McKenzie, who said that he (md had tea, and was just outside the dining room in the passage, was fined £1 10s, with costs 12s. T. Ellery, who did not appear, was also dealt with similarly, Constable Luriner stating that when accosted Ellery said that ho “came in for a beer.”

J. Fitzgerald and T. Austin denied that they were in the hotel on the evening of January 4, but pleaded guilty to being in the yard at the rear of the hotel. Constablo Lariner said that he met defendants at the Bank of New Zealand corner, and asked them where they were off to. One replied that ho was going to get a drink. He warned them that if they went to the hotel he would “put them up.” They continued down the street, and when he returned and entered the hotel he saw them in the passage. Both defendants hotly denied the impeachment. The licensee was then put in the witness box, and in answer to fciergt. Cahill said that he knew both defendants well He had heard the constable’s e\ idence, but both defendants were at tho back door. They had asked for liquor, but had been refused. Fitzgerald interposed with, “We didn’t get as far as tho door.” Austin was proceeding to corroborate his companion when the Sergt. attempted to stem the torrent by saying, “Yes, but you were on the premises to get liquor.” Fitzgerald: “Yes, I tell you straight . . . . ” The .Magistrate put an end to the argument by fining each defendant 30s and costs 10s, and said: “You both made a great song about not being on the premises, but the fact is admitted that you were there, and you cannot do that. (To Fitzgerald) : If you come before mo again 1 will make it much harder. Constable Larmer says that you are a nuisance about tho hotels.” Fitzgerald insisted that he had not been in an hotel for twelve months until recently, but was ordered to '‘stand down.” In Fitzgerald's case the court costs were increased t<o 12s.

As a result of a recent raid on cyclists using the footpaths B. Young was fined 10s, with costs 10s on each of two charges. C. Duncum was fined 10s and 10s costs, and Al. Hart and J. Hill similar amounts. The last-named admitted that he was 15 years of age, and on the constable stating that he was a jockey, His Worship remarked: “Well, a jockey ought to know that the proper place to ride on is not the footpath !”

H. A. Stewart pleaded guilty to a charge of driving cattle across the town bridge without having a man in front of the herd. Sergeant Cahill said that this was a breach of the county by-laws, and was a dangerous practice. In this case damage had been done to a motor car. Defendant pleaded that tho by-law was a dead letter, and at a recent meeting of county councils it had been recommended that the by-law be amended to permit up to 50 cattle being driven on the bridge without a man in front, and it was understood that no action would be taken in such cases. He put in letters from county councils supporting his statements. His Worship stated that if the county councils did not want the by-law it should have been repealed, but as long as it was in the book the Court would have to recognise it. The statements made and letters produced were only opinions, and defendant would be lined £2, with costs 10s. G. D. Manson was charged with driving a motor ear while not having a driver’s license. As defendant had previously held a license and had since procured another, his failure to respect the law at the time mentioned would only cost him £l, costs iOs. Judgment by default was given in the following cases:—Nicol Bros. v. J. W. Lind, £7 17s, costs £1 12a 6d; Hill Bros. v. J. W. Lind, £8 10a Bd, costs £1 12s 6d; Y. Edhouso v. A. Beran, £7 15s 6d, coats £1 10s 6d; Nicol Bros. v. B. Wobater, £1 19s 4d, costs 10s; Hill Bros. v. W. L. Willoughby, £26 18s, costs £4 3a 6d; V. Edhouso v. J. H. Sanson, 7s 9d, coats 12s; V. Edhouse v. C. Castle 19s, costs 15a 6d. M. Saul was ordered to pay to Meads Bros, tho balance (16s 3d) of his account, in default suffer three daya’ imprisonment. G. Terry was ordered to nay Lundy and Coy. tho sum of £l4 14s 2d, in default 14 days’ imprisonment, warrant to be suspended so long as he pays £2 a month. John Stevens (Itatana) was ordered to pay to H. Williamson the balance (£2 9s lid) of his account, in default fhreo days’ imprisonment. LODGE MEETING. The regular fortnightly meeting of Lodge Rangitikei No. 14, 1.0.0. F., was held on Thursday, N.G. Bro. E. Petersen presiding over a fair attendance. Correspondence was received as follows:—From Grand Lodge, enclosing annual returns. From District Lodge, advising this lodge that the annual meeting of tho District Lodge will be held in Wanganui on Thursday, April 3, and requesting that the name of the delegate from this lodge be sent in. From District Lodge, enclosing dates for the ritual competitions, the date for Rangitikei Lodge being March 20. F’rwm Kopane Lodge, extending an invitation to attend the annual picnic to be held at Tangimoana on Thursday, February 27. From Hylton Lodge, tendering an invitation to attend a meeting on March 11 on the occasion of the official visit of the Grand Master. P.G. Bro. L. Hill was appointed delegate to tho District Lodge meeting. Two candidates were proposed for membership. Members were reminded that next lodge night will be the occasion of the Grand Master’s visit, and all mombers are requested to attend. It was resolved to hold a special meeting for tho purpose of initiation on Monday, Febrauary 24, at 8 p.m. Tho nomination of officers resulted as follows:—N.G., Bro. C. N. Hill; V.G., Bros. L. Homes, R. Young, D. O’Connell and F. Hill; recording secretary, Bros. Capstick, A. Murray and S. Richardson; permanent secretary, Bro. K. Dwyer; treasurer, Bro. L. Hill.