CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT

Monday, November 29 (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS Stanley Bathurst Worling, Donald Matheson and Edmond James Prendergast were each fined 20s, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, on charges of drunkenness.—A statutory first offender was similarlv dealt with. CASTING MATTER Ernest George Marston. who was represented by Mr C. J. L. White, was charged with drunkenness and with performing a grossly indecent act.—A plea of guilty was entered on the first charge and, after hearing the evidence, the magistrate agreed to counsel's suggestion that the second charge should be amended to one of casting offensive matter.—The accused was fined £1 10s. with costs (19s) A SAVAGE DOG

James McGlashan Sloan, who was charged with being the owner of a savage dog and with being the owner of an unregistered dog, was convicted and discharged.—Senior Sergeant Packer stated that the dog had been destroyed. ASSAULT ON POLICE

Frederick John Charles Hatley. a married man. pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty and of using obscene language.— Senior Sergeant Packer stated that while Constable Morrison was on duty in plain clothes at the Town Hall dance on Saturday night he had heard the accused, who was drunk, use obscene language repeatedly. Th£ constable spoke to him and warned him that he was a constable, but the accused told him to mind his own business and then struck him. The constable then arrested the accused, who again resisted in the Octagon.—To the magistrate, Hatley stated that he did not remember much about the affair. He had recently suffered a nervous breakdown, and had been discharged from hospital only a fortnight ago. He expressed regret for the trouble he had caused.—The magistrate remarked that the accused had probably spoiled the enjoyment of a large number of decent men and women, and ordered him to be remanded in custody until Friday, so that the probation officer might obtain a report. MAINTENANCE After reviewing the evidence, which had been taken last week, in the case in which Rodger Kearney was proceeded against for the maintenance of his wife and child, the magistrate refused to make an order and dismissed the application. Gordon Grant Austin was proceeded against for default of a maintenance order, the arrears of which amounted to £3O 12s. The defendant made a counter application for a variation of the order. —After hearing counsel for the wife of the defendant (Mr J. B. Thomson), the magistrate dismissed the application and sentenced the defendant to two months' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended on condition that he paid 30s per week until the arrears were paid off. John Hugh Alfred Henderson was proceeded against by his wife, who was represented by Mr W. H. Carson, for separation, maintenance, and guardianship orders. —An order for maintenance at the rate of 35s per week was made, and separation and guardianship orders were granted on the grounds of wilful failure to maintain.

Pear] Gladys Stokes, who was represented by Mr O. G. Stevens, was proceeded against by her husband, James Reuben Stokes, for the variation of a maintenance order. — The application was dismissed. DANGEROUS DRIVING

Milton Dalglish Grant, who was represented by Mr O. G. Stevens, was charged with dangerous driving near Saddle Hill.—After hearing the evidence the magistrate dismissed the charge of dangerous driving and entered a conviction on an amended charge of negligent driving. The defendant was fined 15s and costs (£1 3s).