MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Northern Advocate, 21 January 1920, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TUESDAY

, JANUARY 20,

tßefor- Mr F. H. Li-vien, S.M.)

The following- cases were dea! with at the sitting of the Whangar< Magistrate's Court yesterday, Mr I H. Levien, S.M., occupying: th<> Bench CERTIFICATE LACKING. The Whangarei Engineering Com pany was charged with employing : hoy und«T age, without having a cci ] tiricate of fitness. There was m question of paying under wages, th' [ boy b' v ing on probation and since ap . prenticed. A fine of 10s and 7s costs was mv . posed. LEVEL CROSSING MISHAI'j James McKay was before the Courl on a charge of failing to slacker Speed while driving a motor car ovei railway crossing. Sub-Inspectoi Cassell s notified that he was aske>i by the Railway Department to brinj! the matter before the Court. The Magistrate intimated the serious nature of the offence, as in this district there had been -several before the Court on a similar charge. Should riore cases come before him he would be bound to inflict the full penalty. In the case under review the car was damaged by impact with the engine, but no personal damage had resulted. A fine of £2 and full costs wa s inrrosed. CYCLE WITHOUT A NUMBER. David Ernest Mead was charged with riding a motor cycle having no r>.ark of registration. He had admitted having ridden the cycle for three years, and did not know it was necessary for the machine to have a v amber. He wa s fined 80s, and 15s costs. A SOCIAL SEQUEL. The brunt of a charge of "supplying liquor to a native for consumption off the premises," fell upon R. Hobbs, as secretary of a social function at Waikiekie. Evidence for the defence went to show that the act wSs really linadvertent. The legal aspect, however, had to be upheld, re suiting in a conviction being record ed and a fine of £5 imposed, wit! cists. CHARGE OF MURDER. Hilda Holden was before the court charged with the murder of a femah child. She was remanded until th* 27th January. WRONG WAGGON WHEELS. Inspector Gillespie, of the Whangarei County Council, brought a charge against John Edwards, for using a waggon which in no way conformed to the by-laws, and that the waggon had been in use for several v/e (> ks. The inspector, in giving evidence, said he had no wish to be vindictive, but desired to uphold the good governance of the country. A fine of 20s and costs was the Magistrate's decision. WANDERING CATTLE. Henry Cleary was before the Court "at the instance of the Borough Inspector for having a bull wandering at large in the public streets He was convicted and ordered to pay 7s costs. Charles Hanlon was charged with the offence of having cattle wandering at large, and the summoning inspector announcd that this had been going on for months, and that the accused had been frequently warned. Mr Steadman, for the defence, said the road was not a dedicated road. Wbil not admitting the justice of the charge, he was willing to plead guilty to prevent a waste of time. There was a conviction and fine of 7s and costs. OYSTERS OUT OF SEASON. The Inspector of Fisheries brought a charge against Mesdames L. J, Rowland and Brinsley, for taking oysters from Parua Bay. For the defence (Mr Harrison) it was urged that only two had been destroyed, not eaten. The inspector declared that quite 20 hod been cracked, and he asked for a fine to deter others. Each was convicted and fined 20s. Costs were £1 10s Id. MAORI DELINQUENT. Bert Johnson, of Hukerenui, was b'fore the Court on several charges of drunkenness, assault, and entering licensed premise,, while under a prohibition order. Mr Stout appeared for the defence, and referred to the excellent character borne by the accused when sober. He had won a D.C. distinction in war, bu t when drunk was worse than an ordinary drunk. His mates were morally responsible for his behaviour. \ plea was made not t0 imprison Johnson, as he proposed starting again in a c:ry areaMr Levien, S.M., stated that for a n.an like this there was no dry area, and it wa s evident that he did not appreciate leniendy. Having intimated on previous occasions when th' , accused was before the Magistrate that a term of imprisonment would follow any subsequent appearance in Court, there wa 3 no option but to act on his word. Johnson was convicted and sentenced to one mpnth's hard labour in Mount Eden Goal. NATIVE WITH DRINK. Dick Nahi f of Kawaktryva, was in Court over trouble occasioned by two bottles of beer and a bqttle,pf whjsky "got frpm a pakeh'a in yard." Mr Briggs, for the defence, urged that it was a question whether there was really an offence within the meaning of the Act. The natives need to be protected against themselves. The Magistrate, after making several references to the intricacy of the case, said he would look into the matter. RUATANGATA ASSAULT, Thomas CJarsweli was charged with assaulting D. G. Wilson, a lad of V?, by striking him with a stone. Accused (per Mr Briggs) pleaded not guilty. Th boy gave evidence, also his mother, Constable Power, and Dr Walker, A large stone -was produced in Court, which w,as stated to have been the stpn e causing £he h.ead wounds. Dr. Walker notified thai there were two wounds down to thf

bone, and that they were tender for a fortnight. For the defence it was urged that the assault was in selfdefence, and that no atone was used, oniy clay. Carswell was convicted and ordered to pay costs. MAINTENANCE CASE. Arthur More, a Maori of Whananaki, wa s ordered to pay 30s a week for the maintenance of his wife and nv<> children, with whom he was not living.' The Magistrate explained to the Maori that the money need not be paid if the family quarrel were happily settled, and he returned, The native seemed unwilling for a reunion, and paid £1 forthwith. CHASING AND THREATENING. Thomas Thorburn, of Ruatangata, ■was charged with chasing and adopting threatening behaviour towards Thorna s Carswell. Details of the occurrence were given by both parties. The Magistrate said, h p was going to encourage quarrels, he would dismiss the infprmatipn. JUVENILE OFFENDERS. Two juvenile offenders, charged nith theft, were dealt with in camera. DRUNKEN MAORI Wm. McGee was in Co,urt charged v.ith procuring liquor for natives for consumption off the premises. Evidence was taken and a previous Court case referred tp. The case was r.°Hionded unti} February 3.