MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7944, 19 January 1906, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MASTERTON—THUSRD AY. (Before Mr W. P. James, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Patrick Hammen was fined 10s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, for having been drunk, it being his second offence within six months. UNLAWFULLY ON PREMISES. Michael Hanratty pleaded not guilty to a charge of drunkenness and having beeu unlawfully on the premises on the Club Hotel on Wednesday night. Constable Beffernan stated that tlio night porter at the Club Hotel informed him on Wednesday night tbnt aocused was in the back yard of the hotel, and would not go away. Witness had to remove him. A. 0. Scrimgpour, licensee of the Club Hotel, said that accused had no reason for bein<? on the premises. It was not the first time that ho had to bo removed, and he was becoming a nuisance. A sentence of three mouths' imprisonment ffitb hard labour was imposed. DEBT CASE. Judgment for pluintiff by default, with costs, wa" given in the case ov fhilip Juno v. William CostollO; claim £1 15s, oosts ss. IN LIEU OF NOTICE. Chamberlain Bros, claimed from James Foley, their late employee, the sum of £3 2a Gd general damages and 10s Ud special damages Mr Dolan appeared for tho plaintiffs, and explained that tho claim was for damages in lieu of notice, and the cost of obtaining another j man. Defendant .had been in plaintiffs', employ since April last and since October last he had been receiving £3 2s 6d per week. On December 2nd defendant gave a week's notice but on Decomber 6tb, after he had got ,out the morning's bread, be said he was going to "chuck" the job, and left. Plaintiffs/wished to enforce the case, to prevent the practice growing. J. H. Robertson, manager for Chan?berlain Bros, Mrs Robertson, and Peter Hunter, a; fellow employee, gave evidence to the above effect. Defendant, on oatb, stated that be gave uotioe ou three different occasions, and as Mr Robertson appeared slow in getting a man he left him ou the Wednesday.^ The Magistrate'stated that he was inclined to believe the story of plaintiffs, and gave judgment for £3 2a 6d with costs, amounting to £2 6s. A CLAIM FOR WHISKY. William Eagle claimed from George Turk the sum of £1 15a for whisky sold and delivered to defendant. Mr B. J. Dolan anpeared for plaintiff, and Mr Pownall for defendant. Plaintiff stated that all of the five bottles except ontbad been delivered by himself or his wife. The other had been delivered, at defendant's request, through a messenger. Defendant denied the debt. Judgment was given for the amount claimed with oosts amounting to £1 Is.. WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT. A claim was made by George McKay, labourer, against John Harding Tatham, sheepfarmer, both of Masterton, under the "Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act, 1900," for pay*ment uf £1 Is per week up to £2OO for" an accident caused to plaintiff while in defendant's employ. Mr U. A. Pownall appeared for plaintiff, and Mr J. W. Card for defendant. The facts of the case, which were practically admitted, were that plaintiff had the middle finger on his left hand cut off accidentally by.a slasher while scrub-cutting,, for defendant. Plaintiff had been incapacitated for eleven weeks and he had received £lO as compensation. The case resolved itself into whether plainti? was still incapacitated, and after hearing the evidence of William Briges, bricklayer, to the effect that the amputation would be a serious hindrance to the defendant in his future work, the Magistrate gave judgment for £3O, and allowed the £lO of it that had already been paid. Oosts were fixed at £2 10a, hut the Court costs are to be fixed by the Clerk of the Arbitration Court. CASE ADJOURNED. The case of George Gilbert Eddie v. Masterton Borough Council, claim for £3O for damages to stock oaused by a flood on October 25tb, was adjourned until January 30th, the defendants to pay £1 Is counsel fee and £2 2s witness' 1 expenses.