MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.) DRUNKS. Of two male first offenders for drunkenness one was fined 5/- with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment and the other, who had not had a lapse for two years, was convicted and discharged. Charles Mack, with thr<ae previous convictions against him for the past six months, pleaded guilty to having been drunk in Manchester Street, and was fined 14/-, in default 14 days' imprisonment. FAILING TO ACCOUNT.

John Ostler, charged that between June 1 and July 27 last he received from Elizabeth Carson and others various sums of money amounting to £6 4/BJ, which he was required to account for, to Frank Needham and which he neglected to do, was represented by Mr F. W. Johnston, who applied for a remand for a week. The remand was granted until Wednesday next, bail being allowed, self £SO and one surety of £SO.

A MIXED HAUL. John Sommerville, a lad 17 years of age, was. charged that on August 17 he broke and entered the store of John Du Feu and Co. and stole three pairs of boots, 14/6 in. money, and stamps to the value of 5/-, of a total value of £4 10/-. . On the application of" Chief-Detec-tive Bishop a remand was granted until Wednesday next. CYCLING ON FOOTPATH.

Reginald Palmer, a lad of 16, admitted having ridden on the footpath at Wainoni.

The Magistrate: Where do you work? —At Edmund's Baking Powder factory. What are you earning?—ls/- a week. Mr Alpers: It's sure to rise. A fine of 3/- without costs was imposed. George Aldridge, for having cycled on the' footpath at New Brighton, was fined 7/r and costs. /

BY-LAW BREACH. Ernest. Adcock (Mr F. K. Hunt), charged with having driven a taxi cab over the intersection of Colombo and Gloucester Streets at a dangerous speed, pleaded not guilty. Mr Hunt explained that Adcoek had already been carpeted before the Bylaw Committee of the City Council, and his license had been suspended until October 10, as the Tesult of previous convictions for by-law breaches. He had been told that if he was again convicted his license would be taken away. Mr Hunt would therefore ask for leniency. ~■. •

The evidence of three constables was taken, going to show that Adeock had been travelling at a speed of from 10 to 12 miles an hour.

After hearing Adeock's. version of his movements on the night in question, the Bench entered a conviction.

CRUELTY

Sidney C. Thompson appeared to answer for having cruelly ill-treated a horse by working it with swollen shoulders, and when it had been suffering from lameness, the offence having been committed at New Brighton on' August 21.

Mr Hunt appeared for Thompson, who pleaded not guilty. David Moultrie, a young fellow in Thompson's employ, said that on August 21 he took a horse from defendant's timber mill to New Brighton. Defendant was there at the time. The horse had not been worked for a fortnight, as there was a sore on its wither. While on the road he had met the constable, who had changed the pads on its shoul* der.

Robert Weir, Inspector for the S.P.C.A., gave evidence as to the condition of the animal, as did Constable Topdell, who, among other things, said he had seen better horses boiled down.

The defendant gave extensive evidence, in which he stated that he had rung up the constable, to ask if he could use the horse.

Sub-Inspector MeKinnon: What did you ring up the constable for? You wouldn't have done that if the horse had been all right. Defendant: Don't you think that a man is always frightened of the police? What for? They are very often. Conscience doth makes cowards of us all. The information was dismissed. A CITY COUNCILLOR.

The Christchurch Drainage Board (Mr Alpers) proceeded against William Henry Cooper for having connected a drain with the sewer without permit. The defendant explained that he had engaged a plumber to do the work, who had misled him all along the line. He was very sorry for having committed the breach. He had asked the plumber particularly if it was accessary to apply to the Drainage Board for a permit, and had been told it was not requisite, seeing that the wash-house was detach'ed from the main building. A fine of 20/- and costs was imposed.