CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16289, 23 January 1915, Page 3

CITY POLICE COURT

Fktdat, January 22. (Before Mr E. W. Burton, S.M.) Drunkenness. —Three first offenders for drunkenness were each fined ss, in default 24- hours' imprisonment, and Bridget Annie I'khyarda was fined 13s, including 76 6d cab hire, the alternative being fixed at 24 hours' imprisonment. Drunkenness on a Train. —Walter Alexander Wylio was charged with being drunk in a railway carriage at Waipiata, and also with procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. He pleaded not guilty, and called evidence to snow that ho was not drunk, but had been made ill by the Central Otago train journey.—The Magistrate, however, held that the police had substantiated the charge, and inflicted a fine of £1, with costs (9s), on the first charge, and £2, with costs (7s), on the second. He also spoko in very strong terms of intoxicated men travelling in trains, trams, etc., and stated that they were an affliction to everyone else. A Christmas Evo "Joke."—A young man named Walter James Wallace was charged with committing mischief by wilfully breaking a window valued at 15s, the property of .Joseph Pemberton. He pleaded guilty.— Senior Sergeant Dart stated that the offence bad been committed on Christmas Eve, and the young man had apparently tried to amuee himself by putting his foot through a window.—The defendant's father, who was in oourt, offered to pay for the damage done, and the case was accordingly dismissed. Adulterated Milk. —Gladys Grace was cliarged (1) with selling milk below the standard of quality, and (2) with failing to inform the purchaser at the time of the sale of the adulteration. —Mr Irwin appeared for the defendant, and entered a plea, of not guilty on her behalf.—The Senior Sergeant stated that the defendant kept a small shop at North-East Valloy, aud on December 3 two officers of the Department of Public Health had visited the store and purchased » small quantity of milk. This had been analysed, and found to be below the standard, both in regard to milk fat and milk solids.—Mr Irwin pointed out that the defendant was in a very small way of business, and as she was not dependent on her business it would bo unreasonable to suppose that the offence was committed wilfully.—The Magistrate imposed a fine of £1 and costs (7g) on the first charge, and the police agreed to withdraw the other charge. Broaches of Factories Act.—W. E. Ritchie, a farrier, was charged with failing to keep a wages and overtime book, as required by the Arbitration Act, and was also called upon to answer two further charges of employing Harry Thomas and William Pollock as .floormen and failing to pay their wages at not more than fortnightly intervals.—Mr Lang appeared for the defendant, who pleaded guilty to all the charges.—lnspector Browett prosecuted for the department.— On behalf of the defendant, Mr Lang stated that the man had ooine from Otago Central only in July, and did not icnow what was required of him in the way of keeping a book. As far as the failure to pay his mejx was concerned, it was simply a case of inability, as the defendant was not malting wages himself.—The Magistrate remarked that it was most unfair to the employees to carry on business in that fashion, and remarked that wages should be paid once a week. Ho was inclined to view the matter seriously, and expressed the opinion that the men had very little chance of ever getting their wages.—Mr Lang said it was .•ortain that the men would be paid.—ln the case of Pollock's waires the Magistrate imposed a nominal penalty of 5a and costs (13s), and adjourned the other two charges for four weeks. A Drainage Case. —William Henry Parkinson was charged with failing to carry out certain drainage works on his property in Bowen street, St. Kilda, as required bv the Drainage Board. —Mr A. 0. Stephens appeared on behalf of the board, and the defendant pleaded not guilty.—After hearing evidence his Worship adjourned the case for a fortnight to give the defendant aji opportunity of getting the work done. By-law Offence.—Walter Thomas Gibson was charged with driving a motor car in Princes street at a greater speed than six miles an hour. —After hearing evidence on both sides his Worship imposed a fine of 5s and costs (7s). Maintenance. —Archibald Cuff was proceeded against by his wife for separation, guardianship, and maintenance orders in respect of herself and five children.—Mr Dawson appeared for the complainant.---The Defendant opposed the application, and gave .his evidence in a very candid fashion, admitting that he used to bet to some slight "xtent, and that he nlayed cards for small snms. On occasions he had treated his wife in a manner that he should not have done, but ho was sorry for that now.- The Magistrate remarked that it was unfortunate that the C4ise had been brought to court at all. us the evidence did not show that the husband had been persistently cruel in his conduct to his wife.—After reviewing the evidence at some length he decided to dismiss the case.