MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TO-DAY'S CASES. Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presided at this morning'a sitting at the Magistrate's Court. One first offender for drunkenness waa convicted and discharged, aad another fined 5/-. AN" OLD OFFENDER. Frederick Agustus Fitzgoorgo pleaded guiltv to charges of drunkenness, to entering licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order, and to procuring liquor during the currency of an order. Chief detective Herbert said accused had been remanded on previous dayowing to his drunken condition. He was found in the Royal Hotel, and when spoken to was very abusive and offensive about it. He was a man who was a very old offender, and had been convicted of serious offences, and had served lonjT sentences. He had a wife and small family living here. The wife had to work to support family, while accusod was loafing about. He was a perfect waster, and the case seemed to be one for Roto Roa. He was said to have fought in South Africa. He de serted his wife, at any rate, and went to London, and was said to have gone to South Africa from there, ami worked his passage back to New Zealand again, Tie was very cruel to his wife when he was in drink. He was a very bad-tempered man, and very quarrelsome, and it would really be a protection for his wife and family to put him away somewhere. Accused said he had been fighting in East Africa, and was in receipt, of a pension of £1 6/- per week. As he paid all the bills his wife and family cer tainly could not be starving. The Magistrate: But you do not treat your wife properly. Now, look here, I will treat you in this way. I will fine you on the first charge, and order you to come up for sentence when called upon on the others. Do you understand? Accused: Yes, T understand. I have suffered very much from malaria since 1 have been back. The Magistrate: If you are brought up again on a charge of drunkenness I will send you to Roto Roa. A fine of 20/,- in default seven days' imprisonment was imposed. BY-LAW CASES. For cycling on the footpath, William Henry l'arr was committed and discharged. For riding a motor-cycle at night without a light, Archie Cameron was lined 10/-. LYTTELTGN CASES. Captain Hatehwell, J.P., presided at the Magistrate's Court this morning. One first, offender {or drunkenness was fined 5/-. A DESERTER. James Patrick was charged with being a deserter from B Company of the 24th Reinforcement. Sergt. Jackson stated that, the accused had gone to the Police Station the previous evening and had given himself up. He (Sergt. Jackson) had communicated with the military authorities, but had not yet received a reply. Accused was remanded until Friday.