POLICE COURT.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8745, 19 December 1896, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

YESTERDAY.

(Before H. W. Robinson, Esq, S.M.)

CHARGES OP WASTING WATER;

S. Bolton, nurseryman, was charged with using a hose for watering purposes in prohibited hours.

Defendant said he was watering some plants inside a greenhouse, and he did not know that the By-law prohibited watering inside a building. He had been very careful of the water, and had never used the hose outside of the greenhouse all the time of the dry weather. Many a time at the level he lived near, tbe Hospital, they had had no water all night, and on two occasions there was none at seven o'clock in the morning, so he had little chance of using the water in legal hours. He turned off the water as soon as Mr Garrett told him that it] was illegal.

The Bench said defendant lived on a high level, and apparently had a difficulty in getting water. He would only inflict a nominal penalty. Fined Is without costs.

Harry Thetf ord, gardener, was charged with a like offence, Defendant said he did not know the law could touch him for watering inside in a greenhouse. As he paid extra water rate he thought he was entitled to the use of the water.

Mr Gully pointed out that defendant did not live on a high level, and that when told by Mr Garrett, defendant replied that he would turn the water on again as soon as Mr Garrett had gone. The Bench inflicted a fine of 2s 6d and 7s costs.

James Mitchell Chapman was charged with a like offence.

Defendant admitted the offence, but said he would like to ask Mr Garrett some questions.

J G Garrett. sworn : It was between five and six when I was at Mr Chapman's place. He never said anything to me about the time. I did not go into his vinery. I told him he could use the water for his vines between 5 and 7 am, and 7 and 9 p.m. Defendant said he lived at a very high level, and many a night they had not any water. A little water at night foe the vines was best, for using the water so early in the morning, if he had it. was apt to chill the plants. The Bench inflicted a fine of Is, without costs.

Henry Wilkins, gardener, was charged with using a hose at the Hospital garden during prohibited hours. Defendant said it was ten minutes to six when Mr Garrett visited the garden. Being on a much higher level, many times at the legal hours they could not get a drop of water. He turned off the water as soon as Mr Garrett spoke to him. The Bench inflicted a fine of 2s 6d without costs.

Henry Bruns, gardener, was charged with a like offence at the Girls' College.

Defendant said he had had a great deal to do that day, and was a few minutes late in turning off the water. He was watering a few cucumbers.

A fine of 2s 6d, with 7s costs was inflicted,

Martin Lightband was charged with letting water run to waste in a closet. Mr Garrett said the tap was half turned. A tap half turned ran away 2J gallons in 35 seconds, or 4J gallons per minute, or 255 gallons per hour. The Bench inflicted a fine of 2s 6d, with 7s costs.

Robert H. Witt, Exchange Hotel, was charged with a like offence. A fine of 2s 6d, with 7s costs was inflicted.

Mrs S. Hamilton for a similar offence was fined 2s 6d with 7s costs.

Mrs S. B Brown was mulcted in 2s 6d fine and 7s costs, for a like breach of the By-law.

Alexander Brown was charged with a like offence.

Mr Garrett said the tap in the closet had to be turned one and a-bilf times to stop the water, and a hose was also running Fined ss, with 7s costs.

Mrs M. C Turner, Trafalgar Hotel, was fined 2s 6d, with 7s costs for water running to waste in a closet.

Mrs Gilmer, Custom House Hotel, was fined 2s 6d and 7s costs for a like offence.