MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1911, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

POLICE CASES,

(Before Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M.)

MISCHIEVOUS BOYS

Last Sunday week a number of boys had been swimming in the tidal creek near the Town Wharf. Returning after the bathe, they passed through the property of the Whangarei Engineering Company, and three of their number— Henry Beehre, Frank Ritchie, and Albert Howard Billingremained behind. They wound up the hawser attached at one end to a truck and at the other end to a winch. They then let the winch revolve suddenly, with the result that the teeth of one of the wheels were broken. The three boys were charged with mischievously damaging the property of the Engineering Company to the extent of £3. Mr Harrison appeared for the defendants, who pleaded guilty. A fine of £1 in each instance was inflicted, and the accused were ordered to pay the damage, and court costs. Ihe fine and costs amounted to £2 7s for each of the three accused, who were allowed time in which to pay.

FAILING TO SEND CHILDREN TO

SCHOOL.

Some amusement was caused when Ihaia Hita was charged with failing to send his two children regularly to the Poroti School. The services of a volunteer interpreter were requistioned. Defendant denied the charge, and persisted that he sent his children to school nearly all the time during which it was- stated by the Poroti School teacher that they were absent After some time the defendant produced a letter from the teacher of the Maungatapere School, wherein it was certified that the children had attended, his school during the time stated in the charge. Those in the tody of the Court gave an outburst of laughter when the letter was read. The case was dismissed.

Gregory Kempt was charged With failing to send his three children regularly to school. Defendant, who did not appear, was convicted and fined 2s in each case, and was ordered to pay costs. RACING A TRAIN. Benjamin O'Hara pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a vehicle over a railway crossing while an engine was approaching within half a mile. Senior Sergeant Moore said that defendant was a 'bus driver, and though he heard the whistle while crossing the track in Water-street, he tried to beat the engine, and narrowly averted a collision. The railway authorities had wished the police to take the matter up. Defendant was convicted and fined 10s, with costs 7s. BREACH OF BY-LAWS. I. W. Moore, borough traffic inspector, prosecuted Kiri Brown foj.- driving a horse round Bank-street corner at faster than a walking pace. Defendant hesitated before pleading guilty, and when he did so, he explained that he did not like to appear before Court, as it was the first time. That statemeat elicited the assurance from his Worship that a breach of the by-laws was not a serious offence. ■ He had been fined himself for riding a bicycle on a footpath. (Laughter.) Defendant was mulcted of Is, with costs. AN UNFORTUNATE BOY. Henry Smith, 12 years of age, the eldest son of the man Smith, who was, sent to gaol for cruelly treating his children, was charged with having no visible means of support. The police recommended that he should be sent to an industrial school, and his Worship committed the boy to the Mt. Albert Industrial School. WARDEN'S COURT. Alexander Mackay made an application for a prospecting license in what was formerly known as Kiwi special quartz claim.—Granted. Charles Longhurst, A. H. Hammon, and J. J. Spratt applied for prospecting licenses in the Hukerenui Survey District.—Granted, subject to the approval of the Commissioner for Crown Lands.