MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 145, 19 May 1930, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TO-DAY’S SITTING. UNREGISTERED REVOLVER. Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., presided over to-day’s sitting of the Magistrate’s O-jurt. Frederic Birch was charged with failing to notify his change of address, he being the owner of an unlawful weapon. A second charge was that he delivered a firearm without a permit. Mr Grant, who pleaded guilty on behalf of defendant, 6aid the offence was not a serious one. The weapon wns an American war pistol and bad been loaned by defendant to Miss Fraser in Huntly, who had a collection of war trophies which were exhibited at schools and elsewhere. The pistol had been kept locked up, and was now to be sent to the war museum at Auckland. It was only when an application was made to the police for a permit that the offence had been discovered. Had defendant not made such application, no doubt no more would have been heard of the matter. His Worship: That is usually the way in these cases. No harm appears to have been done. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs of the action, 10s on each charge. BREACH OF ORDER. On two charges of entering licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order, Arthur W. Edwards was fined £2 on each count and ordered to pay 22s costs. OFF-SIDE RULE. Failure to give way to traffic approaching from his right cost Norman Babbitts (Mr Grant) £2 with los costs. It was stated by Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse that defendant was driving along Grey Street in the direction of Terrace End when another car came out from Albert Street. Defendant turned to swerve with it and a collision occurred. VOLUNTARY APPEARANCES. Fines of 10s with costs were imposed on the following, who appealed voluntarily:—Peter Cope (cycling on footpath), Robert Rae and J. Glastonbury (cycling without lights), Alvin Mathews (using an unregistered vehicle). In respect of Mathews it was stated that he was a garage employee who was engaged in putting an old car together. Not realising that he was committing an offence he took the number plates from another car. “A SERIOUS OFFENCE.”

“This is a serious offence, and I wish it to be known that any further case that comes before me will bo mot with a substantial fine,” said the Magistrate, when D. I. Balmer, of Raumai, was charged that on April 8 he tampered with an electric meter, the property of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board. An inspector of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board stated that an inspection had been made of defendant’s meter and it was found that the disc had been jammed by a straw, thus preventing the meter from working. While the straw was in position the instrument would not register at all. Mr Laurenson stated on behalf of the Power Board that this was tho first action of its kind and was taken under tho board’s by-laws. It was intended to act as a warning and to demonstrate to suppliers their responsibility. The fine for this offence was £S(J, but it was suggested that a nominal penalty be imposed. He understood that the straw had been inserted by Balmer, junior, and that the father, who owned the property knew notliinrr at afi of the occurrence. His Worship pointed out that it was a serious matter for consumers to tamper with their meters. However, as this was tho first action of its kind the penalty would not be heavy. A fine of £2 with costs amounting to £1 Ids was imposed.