MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5374, 6 September 1904, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER o. (Before Dr A. McArthur, S.M.) INEBRIATES. William Martin was convicted and let off without fine; Frederick Colley, a second offender, was fined 10 s. Patrick Rico and Thomas Cannon, each of whom was making his third appearance within six months, were each fined £l, with option of seven days’ imprisonment. William Lynch, who had been three times before the Court in loss than a month, was fined £2, in default of payment fourteen days’ imprisonment. Sundry first-offenders were leniently dealt with. A LESSON IN POLITENESS. H. B. Petherick pleaded guilty to part of an information which charged him with having used insulting language to Porter McCann on a train running between Ngahauranga and Pctone. Sub-Inspector CVDonovan said that Petherick’s counsel (Mr Wilford) had intimated his intention to plead guilty of tho whole offence on behalf of his client, and for that reason the police had not brought their witnesses. Defendant said he had been expecting Mr Wilford to attend that morning, whereupon the Magistrate remarked that tho Court could not bo kept waiting for counsel. Defendant would have to stand to his counsel’s agreement, which had boon made with his sanction. His Worship said ho could not understand how it was that on tho railway trains between tho city and the Hurt thero were some peopfcs who seemed to cause all tho trouble they possibly could to the officials. Not a fortnight went by but some such occurrence took placo on a train. Defendant would bo fined £2 and costs, in default seven days’ imprisonment. i Pothcrick; I consider it’s an injustice ! His Worship: What’s that? Constable Fairhall: He says he considers it_an injustice, your Worship. His Worship: Oh. do you ? If you make any remarks hero I will treat you in another way for another offence. It will bo much hotter, for your own sake, to hold your tongue. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. John Turner admitted having behaved in a disorderly manner while drunk in 'Willis street. Sub-Inspector O’Donovan said that accused went into Kniggo’s restaurant in a drunken state, and when tho proprietress told him to go out ho struck her. A constable was summoned, and Turner was ejected but lator on he returned to the place, and made further disturbance. He was thou arrested. His actions seemed to be wholly I ho result of drink. His Worship fined Turner £l, with option of seven days’ imprisonment, explaining to accused that the fine would have been heavier but for tho probability that tho offence had been wholly tho outcome of drink. AN UNHAPPY MARUJAGE. E. Paltridge applied for a summary separation order against her husband, Ernest Edward Paltridge; also for custody of thoir child. Mr Luckie appeared for complainant and Mr Hindmarsh fof defendant. The woman had attended her brother’s wedding, and refused to come home at 10 p.ra., when her husband called for her. At 3 o’clock next afternoon she went homo, and found tbo house locked up. Sho did not stay until her husband returned from work. He had used bad language to iior in the street, -and had been guilty of acts of cruelty to her, but those took placo over six months ago. The woman considered from 3 to 5 p.m. was ample time in which to clean up a house and get her husband’s dinner ready. Mr Hfndmarsh contended that his client was not to blame; there had been a homo ready for Mrs Paltridge if she had chosen to avail herself of it. Counsel bad witnesses present to depose to the real state of

affairs. His Worship intimated that complainant had tailed to establish a case. It might bo a case where the two lawyers could make an arrangement; tho Court could mail© no order.