MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 35

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Judgment in tlie case of Sunday trading brought by the police against Jeremiah O’Neill, licensee of the White Swan H -'-el, Cuba street, was given by Mr Martin, &.M., last week. His Worship said he had no power to endorse the license as he understood that since the offence was committed the license had been transferred. He should, however, fine defendant 40s with costs. Mr Martin, S.M., gave his decision last week in tlie case in which and Elizabeth Mcßandell, of the National Boardinghouse, were summoned by the police for allowing women of evil repute to meet and remain on the premises. His Worship said the section of the Police Offences Act under which the information was laid contemplated first these women meeting together and afterwards staying in the house. He did not think there was in this case any evidence that they had met together, though there was ample evidence that they had gone to the house for improper purposes. Boardinghouse-keepers were mistaken in supposing that they were obliged to provide food for all-comers. He had advised the police that in future they should bring similar cases under the vagrancy clause of the Act, and in case of convictions he should impose heavy penalties. The present case would be dismissed. Among the cases at the Magistrate s Court on Eeb. 28 was one in which Thomas Herd, as representing the Wellington Garrison Band, sued Jones and Ashdown, tailors, for .£25, the amount of deposit paid on an order for the supply of uniforms. The uniforms, it appeared, were ordered on the 17th of September last, but had not yet been supplied. The reason for the delay, as urged by Mr Wilford for the defence, was that a certain kind of braid was required, that every possible means had been taken to procure it, but without success, and that the delay was therefore unpreventable. His Worship held that there had been unreasonable delay, and gave judgment for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with <£4 2s costs. Mr Wilford gave notice of appeal. Mr Skerrett appeared for the plaintiff. Captain Neil, of the ship Forfarshire, and Richard Perry, chief officer, appeared on summons at the Magistrate’s Court on Friday charged with committing an assault on Henry Reinicke, a sailor on board that vessel. Complainant stated that he was on watch on the ship and went to sleep. The mate reprimanded him, and on witness replying he knocked him down. He admitted having used bad language to the mat e, and His Worship dismissed the case with dll 3s costs against the complainant. In regard to the case against Captain Neil, it appeared that later in the day he spoke to Reinicke about his conduct, whereupon complainant approached him in a threatening manner, and was knocked down by his skipper. This case was also dismissed, and His Worship ordered complainant to pay 23s costs as in the previous case. A man named Joseph Windsor was charged on remand in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday with assaulting William Edward Cowley with intent to rob him. It appeared from the evidence of complainant that he met the accused about 12 o'clock on Wednesday night and a drink with him at a hotel. Accused induced him to go down Mercer street, and when near the Switchback Railway put his hand under his chin and tripped him up. Witness fell on top, and, if accused’s idea was to rob him, he did not have much chance of doing so. He sang out for help and accused was arrested by Constable Murphy. Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial, bail being fixed at two sureties of £3O each. Two more shopkeepers were summoned at the Magistrate’s Court on Friday, at the instance of the Inspector of Factories, for breaches of the Shops and Shop Assistants Act. E. J. Walsh, draper, pleaded guilty of failing to close his shop on Wednesday, February 13th, and was fined 20s, with 15s costs. For a similar offence on February 20th, a Chinaman named Chow Fong was fined 20s, with 7s costs. Mr Martin, S.M., presided at Friday s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. One first 'offending drunkard was fined the usual amount. Further evidence was taxen in the case of Arthur O’Connell, charged Avith assaulting John Creighton, expressman, and accused was committed for trial, the former bail being renewed. Mr Wilford appeared for the accused. Walter Windelev, charged withjleaving Ins express unattended in Chew s lane, was ordered to pay 7s costs. Charles Physick, charged with failing to support his three children, was ordered to pay 10s a week, and a man named Malay, for whom Mr Wilford appeared, Avas ordered to pay 5s a Aveek towards the support of his wife. A woman named Sissie Conlin was summoned for assaulting & little girl named Evelyn Maud Hannington at the Ngahauranga RaiUvay Station. The case was dismissed. Mr Hindmarsh appeared for the complainant, and Mr AViltord foi the defendant. Alexander Johnston was convicted of stealing a planimeter the property of Richardson and Co., and was sentenced to six months hard labour. Dunedin, March 1. In the case of Margaret Brown, charged for selling drink in the grandstand booth at Forbury, a fine of £lO and costs was imposed.