MAGISTRATE’S WARNING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 19 July 1937, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S WARNING.

CHARGE OF TRESPASS. . “I do not think that you are responsible. and if you do not stop writing letters to me I will have you medically examined,” stated Mr J. L. Stout, S. M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, to Royal Armatage Holmes, a salesman, aged 45, at the conclusion of evidence given against defendant on allegations of entering his wife’s house. Defendant was charged that, on July 14, lie was found without lawful ' excuse, though in circumstances which did not disclose intent to commit an offence, in a house in Church Street. He was also charged that, being a person against whom a separation order was in force under the Destitute Persons Act he did, during the currency of such order, trespass in a house occupied bj T bis wife in Church Street.

Evidence was given by Mrs Holmes that defendant, who was her husband, came to her home, knocked at both the back and front doors, and called out “open in the name of the law.” He then pushed open the front door, went in and wandered about, saying that ho had come for some of his belongings. He was obviously under the influence of liquor. Witness said her husband had annoyed her hv writing letters to her.

Cross-examined by Mr A. M. Ongley, who appeared for defendant, witness said she did not know whether defendant had paid the rent for the house. She had not paid it. but expected to do so. Most of tlie furniture belonged to witness, though it was insured in her husband’s name. Constable Waugh gave evidence that, when interrogated, defendant, who smelt of drink, said the house belonged to him, and he had gone there to collect some of bis own property. He went quietly, without- creating a disturbance. The Magistrate dismissed the first charge against defendant and convicted him on the second, ordering him to come up for sentence if called upon, the Magistrate adding the comment made in the opening paragraph.