LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12272, 16 May 1903, Page 7

LAW AND POLICE.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.— (Before Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M.)

E. Reynolds and Co. v. R. Hendry: In this case, partly heard at a previous sitting, plaintiffs sought to recover a sum of £7 los 6d, and a counter-claim was lodged by defendant. After hearing further evidence, His Worship reserved his decision. F. Henderson and Co. v. Jeffrey Hunter: Plaintiffs claimed £6 lis 3d for carriage of certain machinery and work in placing same in a launch belonging to defendant. Mr. McGregor appeared in support and Mr. McVeagh defended. Expert evidence was called to show that the chartre was a reasonable one for the work done, and that there had not been any unnecessary delay in its completion. Defendant, who said he was prepared to pay a fair price, contended that the charge was excessive, and that delay in the work had been caused through the plaintiffs not sending on certain parts of tho machinery to time. His Worship said there- speared to have been some little delay in unlivery, and gave judgment for the decreased amount of £4. 15s 3d. Ponsonby Peako v. John Evans: The plaintiff claimed £1 15s, but on account of certain evidence not being available an adjournment was granted till May 22. Baker Brothers (Mr. Burton) v. Robert Tyndall (Mr. Reed): This was a claim for £5, commission on the sale of a butchery business. A considerable amount of evidence was heard, the plaintiffs seeking to sustain a claim to have introduced the purchaser of the business to defendant. The defence was that the transaction which actually took place was between different parties, and was not directly due to the introduction by plaintiffs. His Worship gave judgment for the defendant. Costs, £3 4s, were allowed against the plaintiffs. (Before Mr. T. Hutchison, S.M.) Samuel McQuay v. the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Onehunga: Plaintiff, a contractor residing at Mangore, sought to recover damages amouncing to £100 from defendants for bodily injuries sustained on the night of February 21, through the negligence of defendants in failing to place lights on a certain road construction work being carried on within the borough boundaries. Mr. H. Gillies appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Hugh Campbell for the defendants. In stating his case, Mr. Gillies said that on the night in question, at about halfpast nine o'clock, the plaintiff was riding through Queen-street, Onehunga, when his horse fell, and McQuay, who was thrown to the ground, sustained injuries to his head that entailed subsequent loss of time and the expenditure of a considerable sum of money in medical fees. The absence of lights at tho point where the accident occurred was solely responsible for the mishap. Dr. Scott described the injuries, and after evidence had been given by the plaintiff the case was adjourned till June 10. POLICE COURT NEWS. Mr. T. Hutchison, S.M., presided over yesterday's sitting of the Police Court. Drunkenness: Two first-offenders were convicted and discharged with a caution. James Waddington (second offence) was fined ss, in default 24 hours; and Thomas Salan, for a third offence within six months, was fined 10s, or in default 48 hours. .

Illegally on Premises: Edward Nolan pleaded guilty to being found on the premises (a stable) of Peter Dignan, Nelsonstreet, without lawful excuse, on May 15, and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour. James Dunne pleaded guilty to being found on the same premises on the night of May 14, and not guilty to the- charge of being an idle and disorderly person. The police, gave evidence to the effect that tho accused associated with thieves and vagabonds and prostitutes. His Worship sentenced Dunne to three months' imprisonment on each charge, sentences to run concurrently. By-law Oases: Archie Briscoe, who pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle at other 'than a walking pace round the- corner of Ijueen and Custom Streets, was mulcted in a small fine. Edward Robinson, who entered a similar plea to tho charge of wheeling a barrow along the footpath of King Edward Parade, Devon port, and in mitigation stated that lie was a reoent arrival and not acquainted with the borough by-laws, was convicted avid discharged with a caution. An Unsought Sea Voyage: Harry Leslie was charged with being a stowaway on the s.s. Te Anau on the passage from Napier to Auckland'between the dates of May 12 and I*, thereby evading payment of the fare (£1 10s). Accused pleaded guilty to being found on the vessel, but not to the intent to defraud tho company of the fare. He said he had' had some liquor, and being on board with some friends at the time the Te Anau left was carried away without knowledge of the fact. He had no money with, him at the time, but would arrange to pay the fare if given an opportunity of seeing his brother in Auckland. His Worship asked Leslie if he was prepared to pay a fine if given a chance, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, fixed the amount at £3. Maintenance Case: Tho hearing of the charge against Edward Clarke of being the putative father of an illegitimate child and about to leave the place where the mother resides without making provision for the maintenance, of the child when born, was continued. Mr. Alexander (instructed by Messrs. Devore and Martin) appeared for the complainant and Mr. ,T. R. Reed conducted the defence. Defendant had previously pleaded 1 not guilty. Alfred Dare, examined on behalf of the complainant, said Clarke and the girl were on good terms, and that when defendant became acquainted with her condition he had said he would see her through her trouble. Something had been said by defendant about marrying the young lady, and on -mother occasion, when discussing matters, had said, in reply to a remark made, "Yes, and I'm a daddy now." Subsequently Clarke, when spoken to, siid that his parents were not in favour of his marrying the girl. The case was then adjourned sine die, the defendant having to find a bond of £50 to appear again when called upon. Charles Holland, who had been before the Court on two or three previous occasions in connection with the same matter, pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to support his illegitimate child. Proceedings were taken by the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, represented ; by Mr. Brockfield, and' Mr. J. C. Martin appeared for the defence. Defendant was placed in the box and denied that there had beeD improper relations between himself and the complainant, but His Worship, after perusing the evidence before him, found defendant guilty, and made an order for 5s pel week towards the support of the child, and allowed costs, totalling £7 7s.