MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1926, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

SITTING IN STRATFORD. MILITARY DEFAULTERS. The Magistrate’s Court sat in Stratford yesterday, Mr, B. W. Tate, S.M., presiding. The parades of B Squadron, New Zealand Mounted. Rifles, are not a severe tax on the time of the troopers, according to evidence submitted by WarrantOfficer J. L. 0. Rowe. They are only required to attend three or four parades before and after camp. Nevertheless, quite a number of young men had neglected. to present themselves for training, and for the first time in four years charges were preferred against defaulters. Leo S. Farmer (Toko), was fined. 10s (costs 10s), while S. Bielawski (Douglas) was fined £1 (costs 12s). A number of other cases were not dealt with owing to non-service of the summonses. Henry Were (Toko) pleaded guilty through a solicitor, explaining that with the assistance of another young man, also a member of the troop, he milked 60 odd cows and found it impossible to attend the parade in question, though he managed to allow his assistant to go. He was fined £1 (costs 19s). Laurie W. Hall, motor mechanic, who had to answer to three charges of failing to attend drill, including one for missing the annual camp, was given an opportunity to reform by having his case adjourned till the May sitting, when, “As you then shape so shall I shape,” , in the words of the magistrate. Mr. N. H. Moss, for defendant, explained that last year Hall was deprived of his civil rights, but counsel urged, that an opportunity should be given, as Hall was anxious to make himself efficient.

Cadet defaulters also figured largely on the list, though the warrant-officer explained they were the first prosecutions for three years. For failing to attend parades, J. A. Greig, motor mechanic, V. C. Henry, clerk, R. G. Thacker and C. E.’ A. Vance, were each fined 10s (costs 7s). Similar charges against R. L. McKnight, ,F. C. Dudding, E. C. Kivell and N. L. Ruscoe were adjourned to the December sitting, when their cases will be reconsidered. Ivan Lobb, who failed to register for military service, was fined 10s (costs 7s). AN AGED MAN’S MAINTENANCE. Charles William Hunwiek, aged 63, applied for a variation or cancellation of a maintenance order previously made against him in respect of the support of his father, Charles Hunwiek, aged 84 years, on the grounds that his financial position would no longer permit him to pay the 5s a week ordered. In evidence, complainant said he had no farm, as alleged in evidence taken at Auckland, neither had he any money or assets. He did not enjoy good health and was himself kept by his son. He was dependent upon casual labour for his living, while his father enjoyed a pension of 17s Gd and also received 5s a week from another relative. After discussing the position of complainant’s family, the magistrate adjourned the case till next sitting with a view to allowing counsel to confer with the family and possibly reaching a solution to the problem of the old man's maintenance. E. R. Rae, of Tahora, who had a license to possess a firearm, but who failed to notify his change of address to the police, was fined 10s (costs 19s). Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following undefended civil eases: A. J. Griffiths v. E. J. Carlyon, £2 10s (costs £1 15s Gd); T. I. Lamason v. W. Ritter, £ll 8s lOd (costs £2 14s); Rogers and Co. v. John T. Martin, £l5 Is 3d (costs £3 2s). . A land agent's license was granted to W. Kelly. FRAUDULENCE ALLEGED. AUCTIONEER ARBESTED. On the charge that on or about March 23 last, being an auctioneer in business in Stratford, he did fraudulently omit to pay the sum of £22 7s, being the balance of the proceeds of a piano, a sewing machine, and a quantity of furniture sold by auction, to Rose Alma Oyston, the person entitled thereto, Colin Leigfiton, formerly an auctioneer in Stratford, was arrested this morning by Detective Meiklejohn and appeared before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., at the local court. Mt. R. R. Tyrer represented accused, who was remanded to appear at Stratford on November 11, bail being granted in two sureties of £lOO each and accused’s own recognisance of £200.. In applying for bail, counsel said immediately accused knew proceedings were pending against him he returned to Stratford from Wellington so as to cause no inconvenience to the police in effecting the arrest.