WHANGAREI MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13465, 18 April 1907, Page 7

WHANGAREI MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

[nr TEI.KCRAI'H.— OWN" COKKKSFOXDEXT.]

Whang ark r, Wednesday. Before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, the following cases were dealt with: —

Judgment was given for £3 7s. amount < f a fine imposed on April 9 for neglect to register a dog, on Tirati, the Maori who claimed that he was under the rule of King Mahuta. Defendant did not appear.

James Forsyth sued Frank Kevte for £15 14s. Defendant was ordered to pay the full amount, with costs, with the alternative of 21 days' imprisonment, order to be suspended so long as defendant paid £1 a month.

Charles Harris, for driving a buggy and pair round the corner of Cameron-street at other than a walking pace, was fined 5s and co-ts.

Sergeant Drake applied for a prohibition order against Donald Rowlands, who. lie said, though not having been convicted of drunkenness, came into Wtiangarci every Saturday night, and, after taking- a few liquors, made himself a 'nuisance. Constable Wade said that ,Rowlands was of a quarrelsome) disposition when under the influence of liquor. Rowlands stated that he had never been arrested for drunkenness, never drank to excess, and was not injuring bis health. He, had always' paid his debts during the last three yeai-;. The wife of defendant gave similar evidence. Mr. Dyer adjourned the case for three months, the issue of a prohibition order to be dependent on the police report on dcfendai#s conduct during that period. •lames Mason, who did not appear, was charged with procuring liquor for Henry l'urchas, a prohibited person, on March 20, and also with selling liquor en the srj'ee data without a license. Sergeant l'.-.vTe said that l'urchas had been arrested on the night of the date named, when leaving Mason s whare, with a bottle of beer in his possession. l'urchas testified to purchasing beer from Mason for 2s. The magistrate convicted Mason, and sentenced him to one month's hard labour on the charge of selling liquor without a license. For -uppUtn? a prohibited person accused was fined J.KI or, in default, one month's imprisonment, to be cumulative on the tirst term, and for the breach of the prohibition order l'urchas as fined £3 anil co-ts.

Three charges were preferred agsin.-t. Emily Crater, two of using obscene language, and one of threatening behaviour. The facts were admitted by Mr. Killen for the xlefoucy, who, however, said the deceased was in a distracted state of mind, and scarcely responsible for her actions. Mr. Dyer said he must hold accused responsible for her actions, unless he had medical evidence that she was mentally unsound. H • bound her over to keep the peace for 12 months, and fined her £5 for the first offence of using obscene language, and on the second charge ordered her to pay costs, and come tip for .sentence when called upon. For leaving a buggy unattended, Robert Hoev was fined 10s and costs, and for a offence J. McLennan was lined the same amount.

On a charge of using obscene language, John Thompson was fined £2 and costs, and accused consenting, a prohibition order was issued against him. The claim of Thomas henngton again -t Thomas Lowe for £2. balance due on tho sale of an oil-engine, which defendant bought from plaintiff for £42, was allowed, with co-ts, a further claim aeainst defendant fcr timber haulage being adjusted to £1 5, ami allowed.

J. W. McOrcgor was charged with erecting a, building within the brick area, such building not "being of brick, concrete, or stone, as directed by the borough by-laws. Legal argument as tc whether the section of the by-law referred to did oi did not apply to tho case was heard, Mr. Carruth appearing for the Borough Council, «i.d Mr. Stcadman for the defendant. The magistrate reserved judgment till next Court day. A charge against George Baker of digging cum ■without a license was dismissed. Mr. Dyer, however, pointed out to the defendant that he must clearly understand that a buyer's license (which Baker herd) would not giro him permission to dig