MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 7 (Supplement)

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TO-DAY'S CASES. Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Drunkenness.—Two first offenders for drunkenness were each fined 5/-, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Theft.—Ethel Parker (Mr A. Lucas) appeared on remand on a charge of the theft of an overcoat valued at £5, and a scarf, valued at 10/0, the property of Alison Strand. Accused pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Mullany said that on April 24 accused, with another woman, had visited a ball at New Brighton, where a dance was being held. She went up to the dressing room, took the coat and immediately left the place. There were previous Convictions against the accused.—As accused did not admit all her previous convictions, she was remanded for a week In order that inquiries could be made regarding these convictions. Bail as previously was allowed. After Hours.—William Parkes Richardson pleaded guilty to a charge of being on licensed premises after hours and also to a charge of refusing to leave the premises when asked to do so by the licensee. Sub-Inspector Mullany said that on April 7 accused, who was under the influence of liquor, had entered an hotel about 9.35 p.m. The licensee had ordered him to leave the place, but this he refused to do. Later the police arrived on the scene. Accused was fined £2, in default seven days' imprisonment on the first charge, and on the second charge be was convicted and discharged. Joseph Williams (Mr A. S. Taylor) pleaded guilty to a charge of entering licensed premises after hours. Mr Taylor said that early In the morning- of April 9 accused had been taken ill and had gone lo Storey's Hotel to try to get some brandy. Accused was fined £2, in default seven days' imprisonment. He was given seven days in which to find the.money. Maintenance Cases.—-Ben Taylor Watkinson, charged with being £7 12/- in arrears oh a maintenance order made in,respect of his wife and children, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, no warrant to issue until applied for. A sentence of one month's imprisonment was imposed uii Charles Montgomery for the disobedience of a maintenance order, with the proviso that no warrant was to issue until applied for. Alfred Edward Laney, who did not appear, was charged with failing to pay towards the maintenance of a child. The person who was looking after the child stated that defendant held a good position in Dunedin, but he was always In arrears on" the order. ■\: • Defendant was sentenced to three months' imprisonment without any option, the Magistrate remarking that perhaps that would the defendant realise his obligations. A charge against Edward Ralph Martin (Mr M. Donnelly) of being in arrears on a maintenance order was adjourned until May 20, the defendant in the meantime to pay the arrears, amounting to £6 2/-. In the maintenance case of Elizabeth Montgomery (Mr J. A. Cassidy) v. James Montgomery, the weekly maintenance was increased from £2 to £2 10/-. Defendant was also ordered to find sureties in £IOO that he would obey the terms of the order. Frederick 1-aurcncc was adjudged- the putative lather of an illegitimate child and was ordered to pay 12/0 a week towards its support. Defendant was also ordered to find one surety of £2OO or two of £IOO each that he would obey the terms of the order. He was also required to pay past maintenance amounting to 30/-, and £2 2/- solicitor's fee. Johanna Thercse McNally (Mr G. P. Purnell) proceeded against her husband, David McNally (Mr J. A, Flesher) for maintenance, separation and guardianship orders, on the founds of cruelty and drunkenness. (Proceeding.)