CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21018, 6 May 1930, Page 4

CITY POLICE COURT.

Mowday, Mat 6. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Three first offenders for drunkenness ■were each fined 20s, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment, IDLE AND DISORDERLY. Elliott Cresswell Standficld was charged with being idle and disorderly, in that he had insufficient means of support.—Mr White appeared for the defendant, and entered a plea of not guilty. He stated that he had been under the impression that the police desired a remand, to which Senior Sergeant Quartermain replied that the police were agreeable to an adjournament, provided the defendant was remanded in custody for medical examination. He had know the defendant for the past three years, and during that time Standfield had done . little work. The senior sergeant saw him on Sunday living in a cellar in the Arcade. He was not a criminal. If he had friends who could afford to employ counsel, and who were prepared to look ‘ after him, the police were prepared to withdraw the charge, but were not prepared to accept any further responsibility in the matter. For some time past the Hospital Board had allowed the defendant a certain amount of money per week. The winter was coming on, however, and living in a cellar as he was, the. defendant might be found dead any morning.—Mr White stated that the magistrate would be aware that there was much more behind this case than was apparent, and the defendant’s friends were desirous that he should be medi-. cally examined.—The magistrate stated that the defendant had been before the court before, and it had then been stated that he was unable to work.—«Mr White: I understand that his physical condition has deteriorated during the past three years.—The magistrate: The question which has to be considered is whether the defendant cannot or will not work.— Mr White stated that Sir Charles Statham had been-informed of the matter, and had visited the cellar. Sir Charles had then communicated with the Minister of Health to flee if anything could be done for the defendant.—The defendant was remanded in custody for one week for medical examination. MAINTENANCE. Jaclf Munden Muir was charged with default'of maintenance, the arrears to the end of February amounting to £135 2s.—Mr Irwin appeared for the complainant, the wife of the defendant.—Muir was to three- months’ imprison-; ment, the warrant to be suspended on payment of £5 forthwith, £2 6s a week on the order and 5s a week off the arrears. ' Herbert Robert Cole was proceeded against by the maintenance officer (Mr T., Holland) for default of maintenance. —lt was stated that the defendant was travelling around the country, and was very hard to locate.—The defendant was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended on payment of £lO before May 19 and £2 a Week on the order and 5 s a week off the arrears. Richard 1 Webb, for whom Mr W. L, Moore appeared, was proceeded against by his wife, who was represented by Mr White, for a maintenance order.—ln evidence, Mrs Webb said she had been separated from' her husband, who had paid her £2 5s a week regularly until last March. The arrears now amounted to £l9 10s, —-The defendant gave an account of his financial . position. ‘ He denied that he felt any bitterness towards his wife; — An order for f 1 15s -per week was made. The case in which Ronald Seymour was proceeded against by bis wife for -separation, maintenance, and guardianship orders was continued. Mr Taylor appeared for the complainant, and Mr White for the defendant.—Mr White said that an attempt had been tpade to arrive at an amicable settlement' but without result. —In evidence, the defendant said he had lived happily with his wife until her' relations had come out from England and settled here. There had been much interference on the part of her relations. She had had to go into hospital for an operation, but, before. this she had made a statement regarding her financial posi-tion.—-In reply to a question, the defendant said he had frequently driven parties to Green Island,in his ear, but he. was' paid for his services, and took no part in the parties.—After further evidence, for the defence had been heard the magistrate said that lengthy evidence had been given by both sides, and it would be. proper that he should go through the evidence in detail before giving judgment.