MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Southland Times, Issue 21264, 10 December 1930, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

SITTING AT GORE. The following cases were heard yesterday before Mr H. S. Dixon, S.M., at the Gore Magistrate's Court: — On a charge of riding a motor cycle on November 24 without, number-plates, Stewart Rutherford Morrison was fined 5/aud costs 12/-. Francis Victor N. Jackson, Bluff load, was charged with driving a car over the Hyde street railway crossing when the crossing was not clear. Charles Alexander S, King, crossing keeper at Hyde street, gave evidence that two trains crossed about this time. Defendant was convicted and fined 20/- and costs 10/-. Edward James Fergie was charged with driving a motor car on the footpath in Mersey street at night, on November 20. Senior-Sergeant Packer said that on the night in question the defendant had driven a car along the footpath in Mersey street from the Southland Hotel to the Town Hall, narrowly missing three men who were coming out of a building. The defendant had not been in any trouble before, and he could not account for the act. Defendant, who pleaded guilty, said Hint it was an error of judgment. He had intended to go into Hutton’s garage and had turned in when he noticed that the doors were shut. His car was on the footpath so he drove along, thinking he would lie able to get on to the road, but there was no crossing until he reached the Town Hall. Defendant was convicted and fined 20/and costs 10/-. For disobedience of a maintenance order regarding his children, Alexander Ramsay (Christchurch), was convicted and sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment in Paparua prison. He is also to pay solicitor’s fee £l, and is to be released on payment of the amount due. For disobedience of a maintenance order regarding his wife, Phyllis Ramsay, he was convicted a’nd sentenced to six weeks’. imprisonment in the Paparua prison and is to pay solicitor’s fee £1 to be released on payment of the amount due, this sentence to commence at the expiry of the previous sentence. Further evidence was heard on Monday in connection with the case in which George Patterson, claimed £129 from Robert Craig, as the balance owing on a building erected by him. Defendant, counter-claimed for £lOO damage for failure to build according to specifications. Mr E. C. Smith appeared for Patterson and Mr A. H. W, Aitken for Craig. .After lengthy evidence was taken, the Magistrate reserved his decision.