MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Southland Times, Issue 24598, 21 November 1941, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY (Before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M.) Roland James Forbes, of Otautau (Mr T. V. Mahoney), pleaded guilty to charges of wilfully damaging trees and causing damage to the value of £B/10/-; also with wilfully damaging fencing, causing damage to the value of £3. The case had been adjourned from last week to enable a medical examination to be made of the accused. Senior-Sergeant W. T. Kelly said that on November 10 the accused had taken an axe and wire-cutters to Holt Park at Otautau. He had wilfully damaged, for no apparent reason, several trees and had cut down others. He then cut every wire in a fence at one place and had cut pieces out at other places. His mother’ had no control over the accused and there was some concern in the district about his irresponsible actions. He had been before the Court previously at Otautau on charges of wilful damage and theft. Mr Mahoney said the best place for the accused was a half-way house. He was definitely sub-normal, but was not certifiable.

In passing sentence of three months’ imprisonment on the first charge, the Magistrate said he wished he was able to send the accused to a half-way house. He had no option, however, but to impose a term of imprisonment. The accused was convicted and discharged on the second charge.

Judgment was given for the plaintiffs in the following undefended civil cases: G. R. Hanan v. Myrtle Brookland (Kennington) £4/10/6, costs £l/7/6; J. L. McG. Watson v. Terence O’Donnell (Te Tua), £33/3/-, costs £4/14/6; R. Hannah and Co., Ltd. v. F. Gibbs (Wairio), £l/14/7, costs 13/-; Moffett and Co., Ltd. v. A. Melvin (Glenham) 19/10, costs 12/-. John McMahon (South Invercargill) was ordered to pay Jane Allison (Invercargill) £6/5/10 forthwith in default seven days’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as the defendant pays 15/- a fortnight.