POLICE COURT

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 8

POLICE COURT

SITTING AT GORE. At a sitting of the Gore Police Court yesterday morning, Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., presiding, the following cases were dealt with: — For riding an unregistered motor cycle William G. Scott was convicted and ordered to pay costs 12/-. He was also convicted and ordered to pay costs 10/-, for riding the cycle without being the holder of a licence. William Shuttlcworth, charged with failing to signal his intention to turn lais car at an intersection, was convicted and fined 5/-, with costs 10/-. Michael Fitzgerald for driving a car without being the holder of a driver’s licence, was convicted and fined 20/-, with costs 10/-. He was also convicted and fined 40/- and costs 10/- for driving a car to which no number plates were attached. As a result of a dispute at the Glendhu sawmill on November 25, George Farquharson proceeded against Leslie Mason on a charge of assault, alleging that without provocation the defendant struck him in the face. Counsel for the complainant, in outlining the circumstances, stated that on the day in question Farquharson was proceeding under instructions to assist the foreman in the yards, when the defendant called out to him. Farquharson stopped and Mason told him that he had complained to the foreman about Farquharson not having cut some logs. Complainant replied that he could not help that and said he had been instructed to assist in the yard. He had just turned to go away when the defendant struck him in the eye. The assault was entirely unprovoked. Counsel for the defendant alleged that Mason was provoked by the insulting language of the complainant who made as if to strike Mason. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate said the story told by complainant was more convincing. Mason was accordingly convicted and ordered to pay Court costs 7/-, solicitor’s fee £1 1/-, doctor’s expenses £1 1/- and witnesses’ expenses 15/-.