In the Magistrate's Court

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7473, 25 May 1934, Page 5

In the Magistrate's Court

man who damaged cell “FURNITURE.” Messrs. .T. T. Bosworth and W. L. Black, J’sP., presided over a sitting of the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Three first offenders in drunkenness wore convicted and discharged, with an admonition not to repeat the offence. A further charge to that of drunkenness preferred against John Jamieson Fraser, a labourer, aged 44, was that of damaging a cell utensil valued at 10s. A plea of guilty was made. Senior-Sergeant Whitehousc said accused had got hold of the article, which was stoutly made, and ahd clashed it against the door of his cell. It would bo a good thing if Fraser would consent to taking out a prohibition order against himself, as drink had a particularly bad influence on him. The Bench intimated that accused would bo convicted and discharged on the count of drunkenness, and ordered to pay for the article damaged. A prohibition order would be made. Fraser: I don’t want an order. I have the right to refuse it. The Bench: Do you want the privilege of getting drunk again. That was not the reason at all, said accused. Ho worked in the country, getting to town only two or three times in a year. The hotel was the only place he could go to. Finally, however, ho gave his consent to the issue of a prohibition order, and was convicted, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment on the chargo preferred. Remanded To Feilding. Charged with stealing an overcoat valued at £3 10s, the property of E. Cockroft, Vivian Henry George Wirk, a labourer, was remanded to appear tomorrow morning at Feilding, where it is alleged the offence was committed.