TEMUKA COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20008, 27 January 1927, Page 14

TEMUKA COURT.

(I'SOU OtJB Ow» COEBESPONDBHT.) TEMUKA, January 26. A WOMAN CONVICTED. On the private information of Cornelius Francis Downes. Constance Scannell was charged at the Temuka Magistrate’s Court before Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., today, with unlawfully assaulting him by striking him on the face with her hand. Mr G. J. Walker appeared for defendant, who pleaded guilty. Complainant stated that defendant struck him on the eye. She had a baby in her left arm and struck him with her right hand but had no reason for doing so.— Cross-examined by Mr Walker, complainant denied that he had been annoying defendant for six months past, and claimed that it was hia privilege to report cows on the road to the poundkeeper. He said that he had reported that Mrs Scannell’s cows were on tile road because he held that a man was entitled to stop the nuisance created by wandering cattle. The Magistrate said defendant had no right to assault complainant, and convicted her and ordered her to enter into a personal bond of £lO to keep the peace for six months, and to pay costs (17s). SPEEDING MOTORISTS. Phillip George Connelly was charged with driving a motor car along King street, Temuka, on January 4 in a manner which might be dangerous to the public. There was no appearance of the defendant, and evidence was given by the Borough inspector (Mr G. Judson) that he saw the car pass over the intersection of King street at a speed he estimated at 35 miles an hour. He had a stop watch, and he timed it over 10 chains, and it took 13 seconds to go that distance. F. J. Chapman, a taxi driver, gave corroborative evidence* stating that he wrote the number of the car on the telephone post in case there was an accident, because the car was travelling at such a high rate of speed. Sergeant Dwan handed into the court a statement from the defendant, who admitted he was the driver of the car. The Magistrate, on reading the statement, said there was sufficient evidence to show that the defendant was the owner of the car and that he was in a hurry to catch the ferry boat at Lyttelon. A man who drove through a town at 30 or 35 miles an hour deserved a substantial penalty. Accused would be convicted ana fined £lO, and costs (Hs). D. W. Bay was charged with committing a similar offence on January 7. Evidence was given by Constables Southworth and Kearney, who estimated defendant’s speed at 30 miles an hour. The offence took place at 6.15 p.m. Defendant’s written statement to the police stated that he lunched at Waimate at noon, and that he dined at the Grand Hotel, Dunedin, at 6.30 or 7 olclock. Sergeant Dwan stated that the Grand Hotel’s guest back was inspected and the information obtained from Dunedin was that defendant’s first meal at the hotel was taken on January 8. The sergeant detailed apparent contraditions in defendant’s statement. He had evidently set out to mislead the court by giving a wrong date. Mr Orr-Walker; He is misleading the court. He will be convicted and fined £7 10s, and costs (7s).