Miscellaneous Cases In Magistrate's Court

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7031, 15 December 1932, Page 8

Miscellaneous Cases In Magistrate's Court

Three cases wero dealt with in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s 1 Court yesterday before Messrs. J. T. Bosworth and C. L. Mowlcm, J.’sP. Used Insulting Words

Robert Graham, aged 47, described as a shearer, appeared on tho charge that at Palmerston North on December 13 he used insulting words to a young woman. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouso- explained that complainant had been sitting on a seat in tho Square gardens when accused, who was in a more or less drunken condition, approached and sat on the seat. Ho had made insulting suggestions and complainant had left and told the head gardener of the occurrence. Accused was a married man living apart from his wife. Mr. Gordon, who appeared on behalf of accused, said that Graham had had too much drink and- could not recall having used the words. Accused was perfectly agreeable to a prohibition order being taken out, counsel suggesting that he bo convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon.

The Bench: It is a very serious thing if our womenfolk cannot sit in a park without being insulted by a man who has had a few beers. Counsel said that it was the first time a charge had been made against accused and nothing previously' was known against him.

The Bench: He wall have to takeout a prohibition order, pay the costs, 11s, and will bo convicted and ordered to eomo up for sentence if called upon. He can regard himself as being very lucky—if he had not been a respect-able-looking man ‘ho would have gone to prison for tho offence. Idle and Disorderly Charged with being an idlo and disorderly person with insufficient lawful visible means of support, Thomas Roberts, seaman and labourer, aged 52 years, with no fixed placo of abode, pleaded guilty to the charge. “This man has had a lot of fun travelling around the country at tho expense of tho Labour Department,’’ stated Senior-Sergeant Whitchouse, who added that accused had been placed on the department’s black list insofar as relief work was concerned. Roberts now owed the department £2 8s lid for fares, while he had been to several relief camps although, on his own statement, he had not remained longer than five weeks. Asked if ho had anything to say, accused said that he now had a job to go to and would like a chance to make good. It was his first offence. The Bench: You’ve had a good run for your money. You will be sentenced to a month's imprisonment. Serious Charge Made

An indecent assault charge was preferred against William Lindsay Atkinson, alias Clifford, alias White, alias Bake, a labourer, aged 42 years. The Court was cleared during the hearing of evidence., accused being committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.