MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TO-DAY'S CASES. I Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., presided over a sitting of the Magistrate's Court this morning. DRUNKENNESS. One female and seven male first offenders for drunkenness were each J fined 5/-, with the usual alternative. PROCURING LIQUOR. | George Cappin, who did not appear, was charged with procuring j liquor while prohibited. The Magistrate said the accused |had 35 convictions against him, and he was hopeless in the matter of drink. The accused was convicted and discharged. ENTERING LICENSED. PREMISES. William Nicholas Columbus (Mr Malley) was charged with entering licensed premises while prohibited. Mr Malley said the defendant had an oyster cart, and on the day in question he went into the hotel to get some plates. He did not get any drink. In convicting and discharging the defendant, the Magistrate remarked that it was probably a mere accident that he didn't get drink. "FORCE OF HABIT." Daniel John Davis was charged with using obscene language in Gloucester Street yesterday. The accused, who appeared in uniform, pleaded not guilty. Constable Nesbitt said that about 10.5 p.m. last night the accused was surrounded by eight other men in Gloucester Street. When witness approached them the accused used the language complained of. A crowd of people from the theatre were passing at the time. Mr Bishop: Well, what have you to say? Are you on leave? Accused: I am on final leave before being discharged as medically until for further service. The language in the charge is a little harder than 1 actually used. Mr Bishop: Oh I see. It's a question of degree. What pleasure can you derive from using these words? Accused: I admit I did use obscene language, but it was due to excitement. Mr Bishop: But why did you use these words at all? Accused: Oh, it's force of habit. In answer to further questions, the accused said that before enlisting he was a farmer at Stratford. He had been to the front and had lost the use of his left hand and also his left lung. Mr Bishop: Why didn't you say that before? I didn't know you had been to the front. You are convicted and discharged. MAINTENANCE BREACHES. Allan Cockburn, charged with being 45/- in arrears on a maintenance order, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, in default of payment. Vernon Moore Radeliffe (Mr Kirk) who was t'lo 1/- in arrears on a maintenance order, was ordered to pay off the arrears at 22/fi a week, in default three nion' is' imprisonment. • AFFILIATION. Daniel Clinton who failed to appear, was adjudged the putative father of an unborn illegitimate child, and ordered to find security in the sum of £IOO. LYTTELTON CASES. Messrs L. A. Stringer and W. C. Cleary, J.P.'s, presided. One first offender, on a charge of drunkenness, was fined 5/-, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. John Coles, on a charge of drunkenness, was convicted and discharged. On a further charge of using obscene! language on the Chrislchurch-Lyt-telton train he was fine £5, or in ! default one month's imprisonment.