HE WANTED AN ADJOURNMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18182, 15 June 1927, Page 4

HE WANTED AN ADJOURNMENT.

BUT WAS UNABLE TO GIVE REASON. BUILDER WHO DID NOT GET A PERMIT. Robert James Duncan wanted an adjournment of his case. That was the chief fact that emerged in the early stages of a charge brought against him by the City Council in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. He declared that the Town Clerk had agreed to an adjournment. This was disputed. He said the chief building inspector had agreed to an adjournment. This was denied. The Magistrate (Mr H. P. Lawry) decided that the case should go on. The charge against Duncan was that he erected a dwelling without first getting a permit from the City Council. “I ask for an adjournment,” said Duncan when the charge was read. “I have the consent of the Town Clerk —” Mr R. J. Loughnan (who appeared for the council) : I beg your pardon! Duncan: And the Chief Inspector. Mr Loughnan: We will see about that. You have no consent at all. Duncan: I have seen the Town Clerk about an adjournment for a month, and he agreed. Mr Loughnan: Entirely untrue, sir! The Magistrate: Have you a letter ? Duncan: No. The Chief Inspector is here to verify my statement. Evidence was given that defendant had called at the council office yesterday and saw the Town Clerk and asked for an adjournment. The Town Clerk told him he could not get an adjournment, but if he paid the fee it might go easier with him at the Court. Defendant had called and paid the fee at ten minutes to ten this morning. Duncan repeated his request for an adjournment. Counsel: He has had an adjournment already. The Magistrate: What do you want an adjournment for? Defendant: Well, there is nothing like putting tip' a fight on fair ground, and do it without anything else pending. I want an adjournment for a month. I crave your indulgence for a month. The Magistrate: But for what reason? You cannot get an adjournment without a reason. Defendant: I want an adjournment for a month. The Magistrate: What .do 3'ou want the adjournment for ? Defendant: I want it till next month. The Magistrate: But what for? Defendant: For a certain reason. The Magistrate: If j-ou will not give a reason I will go on with the case. Defendant repeated his request, but advanced nothing further by way of reason. The Magistrate: I will take the case now, Mr Loughnan, and be done with it. Evidence tvas given that on March 9 last defendant had the foundations down for a house. He was warned to do nothing further till he had obtained a permit. Defendant, however, went on with the job, which was now well on the way to completion. The Magistrate (to defendant) : Do you want to ask any questions? Defendant: Well, I called .at the council

The Magistrate: Do you want to ask any questions? Do 3011 agree that the evidence that has been given is correct? Defendant: 1 was dealing with the Cnief Inspector. Of course, this man would not know anything about it. Further evidence was given .that accused called at the office before starting the building and was told to do nothing till he had put in the plans of the house. The plans were brought iu yesterday afternoon. Accused had built a fair number of houses in his time. The present was a “spec” job. “I put a locality plan in,” volunteered the defendant. The Magistrate: That is not a plan of the building. Defendant: I got a permit for the water supphy I was not evading the by-law at all. I know the by-laws only too well. Counsel: He would have to apply for the permit to get a water supply for building purposes. A fine of £2 and costs was imposed. “Two pounds!” repeated the defendant ruefully as he left the Court.