MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1641, 19 May 1919, Page 11

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TO-DAY'S CASES. Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court to-day. A Street Fight.—Arthur Harold Sergent and Alexander Scott, who fought each other in Hereford Street on Saturday evening, were charged with a bi'each of the pence. Both accused pleaded guilty, but Scott said he had had provocation. He said that Sergent hed demanded a drink from a bottle he was carrying. When this was refused Sergent used abusive language.

Sergeiit said he had demanded the drink '' on principle,,'' but he would not say what that '-'principle" was. Scott,; who had previous convictions ainat him, was fined £3, in default 14 days' imprisonment. Sergent was fined £l, in default seven days' imprisonment. Three Persons Charged.—A few days ago Ferdinand Butler was charged with stealing at Christchurch on or about May 10 last, four forks and three spoons, valued at 14/-,' the property of Wi and E. Broadway, two spoons valued at 3/-, the property of W. Overton, and one spOon, valued at 4/-, the property of John Dixon. Butler pleaded not guilty, ,and was remanded until to-day. When he appeared to-day he was charged, along with two women, Ethel Parker and Jean Warner, with the thefts in question. Botli these women were recently sentenced to imprisonment on charges of vagrancy. Parker : admitted the thefts, but Warner and Butler pleaded not guilty. Evidence for the police showed that.Warner was arrested on the charge of vagrancy .just |as she was leaving for-Wellington,; accompanied by Butler. When Butler's luggage was searched, the spoons and forks in question were found. It was [stated that the three accused had been living and going about together. .The Magistrate held that "as the three accused had been living together it was not strange that Warner and Butler should have the stolen goods, even if Parker alone had been responsible for the thefts. He held that there was no evidence to warrant a conviction against Warner and Butler, and they were accordingly, discharged. Parker was convicted and ordered to come up if or.'sentence when called upon. Undefended Civil Cases.—Judgment for the plaintiff by default, with costs, was given in each of the following undefended cases:—Sumner Borough Council v. John Mc.Nab, £2 19/10; Lazarus Wolfe • Balkind v. Matthew Murphy and his wife, Viola Murphy, £ls 9/11; W. J. McKenzie v. G. Hall, £1 10/4; Elizabeth Temple v. Georee Howe, £3 6/-. Judgment Summons.—R. H. Glubb was ordered to pay forthwith to F. D. Kesteven (Mr C. S. Thomas) a debt of £l4 12/-, in default two months' imprisonment.

Claim for Wages.—James Edward Neeve (Mr J. H. TJpham) proceeded against N. M. Dunlop (Mr E. W. V/hitc), lately farmer of Ruapuna, Ashburton, for £ll, wages alleged to be due. The evidence showed that plaintiff, who was 18 years of age, had worked as a cadet on defendant's farm. It was contended, however, on behalf of plaintiff, that, although, he was gaining experience on the farm, his work had been of such value to the defendant as to entitle him to wages at the rate of 20/- a week. For the defendant, Mr White said that plaintiff had been practically a guest at defendant's farm and, although he had been useful, he was of no use as a farm hand. The Magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiffs for the amount claimed, together with costs.