CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18802, 3 March 1923, Page 5

CITY POLICE COURT

Friday, March 2. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, .S.M.j Plural Yoting.*-A charge of personation on polling day was heard against Catherine Wootton, a married woman, who pleaded guilty to voting twico at the Oddfellows’ Hall (King Edward street) booth. —bubinspector Kcclcs said that defendant was an ter the influence of liquoi at the time, and the offence was no doubt entirely duo to her condition.—Mr Irwin, who appeared for defendant, said that she had' no motive for double voting. She had become muddled with drink and really did not remember much about the' matter.—His Worship said that tho legislature treated these, cifences as very serious ones if the double voting was purposely done. However, in this case the act appeared to bo an absolutely stupid one. The Act did not provide for a monla ry penalty. Offenders were liable to bo imprisoned for two years with bard labour. Defendant would be convicted an ordered to come up for sentence if called upon. A request that the publication, of defendants name be proliibted was refused. Attempted Suicide.—Thomas Johnston, an elderly man, pleaded guilty to attempted suicide at Palmerston South on Fcbrmny 11 —Senior Sergeant Mathie&on said accused was well known in Palmerston South, where he resided. He was boarding there with a Mrs M’Douga!!.- lie had been drinking a considerable time, and roaming abou Palmerston in a disordered state. He was eventually taken to tho Hospital, and while there he made a most serious charge against a resident of Palmerston, alleging that lie had attempted to poison 'him. Later he admitted that he had attempted to take his own life by taking spirits of salts. Accused had caused considerable expense to the country. Ho was now quite .normal and fit to be at large.—The Magistrate: Are you quite satisfied that the man is capable of minding ihinmalf? —Yes. —In reply to the magistrate, accused said that tho reason why ho had attempted to take his life was that he had been “on tho drink.’’ His ago was 60. —The Magistrate considered that accused, who should bo looked after for some time, would be admitted to probation for six months, a condition being that he take out’’ a prohibition order, and paid £l7 ‘2s expenses. Maintenance. —Margaret M’Gregor sought separation, maintenance, and guardianship orders in respect fo her husband, Robert M’Gregor, on tho ground of his cruelly and drinking habifs. —Complainant said she had been married to defendant for 17 years. Ho was always drunk when ho bad money ever since the marriage. lie. was very quarrelsome when drunk, but all right when, he was sober. She often had Ix> leave tho house owing to his violent conduct. He bad struck and threatened her.—Mary M’Fadyen, and a daughter of the parlies gave evidence. Mrs M’Fadyen said that on one occasion fhe complainant had to spend tho whole night in witness’s washhouse .—Defendant did not appear.—The orders applied for were granted, maintenance being fixed at £2 15s per week, costs £3 3s. Shops nnd Offices Act. —G. A. Mnnvo (Mr AI loo) and Edith Wilson were _ fined 10s, with court costs (7s) each, for tailing to close their respective shops cn four working days of the week and tho statutory halt day during the week ended December 23, 1922.—Mr Browctt prosecuted. Drunkenness.— A first offender for drunkenness, who did not appear, was fined' the amount of his bail (20s),