MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18290, 19 October 1927, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. DRUNKENNESS. A statutory first offender for drunkenness was fined 20s, in default fortyeight hours’ imprisonment. A MAINTENANCE CHARGE. James Alfred Martin appeared on a charge of being in arrears under an order for the maintenance of his child. Mr Jones, maintenance officer, said that the amount of arrears, on an order made in March f of last year, was £43 15s up to August 2 of this year. Accused had been in prison for a term, and from the date of his release he had not been in communication with witness. He had had work since his release with the Forestry Department, the wages being 9s per day. Wet weather had kept his wages down to as low as 30s a week on occasions. Accused was prepared to consent to an order, but Mr Jones considered that, unless he was tied down, he would get away again, and there would be a recurrence of the trouble of getting hold of him. Accused said that he had been three months out of work after his release from gaol. After that his wages had not allowed him to pay the maintenance. Accused was convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended while he pays 5s per week off the arrears, in addition to the 25s per week current maintenance. AFTER HOURS! For being on the premises „of the Zetland Hotel after hours on October 6 Finlay Kerr Martin was fined £1 and costs. Senior-Sergeant Fitzpatrick said that, when Sergeant Kelly and a constable had entered the hotel they found defendant in possession of liquor at the private bar. COMMITTED NUISANCE. Frank Hall was fined £2 and costs for committing a nuisance.