S.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 28 February 1914, Page 6

S.M. COURT.

(Before Mr L. G. Beid, S.M.) At tlte Mnsterton Magistrates Court, yesterday Leonard E. Corlett, H. 0. Yates, and B. J. E. Rickards wci;e convicted and fined 7s costs each, and Colin A. Fa Ik 5s and costs 7s, for not Having attended drill in accordance with the provisions of the Defence Act.

Reginald Pinl'iey was charged with Having left his horses attached to a cal> unattended at the railway station, as a result of which they bolted. Defendant was convicted, and ordered to. puv the costs. ■ Uuorgp Deaue and Victor Jones were charged with having ridden bicycles. on the footpaths, and each was lined os and costs 7e. i Reserved judgment in the case of Chapman v. Chapman, was given "by His Worship yesterday morning. It was an application for variation of a maintenance order previously made awiiust the applicant by the defendant*. his then wife. His Worship said that, after considering the evidence, he must refuse the applicn- j tioii. Mr S. J. Moran, who appeared for the defendant, applied-for costs, which Mr Rollings, who represented the applicant, opposed. His. Worship stated he would allow defendant the Usual costs, £1 Is. '* ' • Percy Dr'ansfield was charged with, having attempted to drive a buggy and pair of horses- across a railway level crossing in Lincoln road when an-engine-was approaching. Sergeant Miller prosecuted, and -Ur Trimble appeared ior defendant, who | pleaded not guilty. j [ * .1 oh n Fuller gave. evidence that on J oiuiary 27tli he x was driving ■ the triun which arrives at Masterton from"'the north at 5.50 p.m. ■He whi.stlwl twice before reaching the raMwav crossing. After lie had whistled the second timo he noticed a- man in a buggy driving towards tho crossing. He whistled again, and applied the brakes. The horses swerved, and was capsized * • Accused appeared to have done his 1 best to avert the accident. Arthur Standen, who was the guard on the train driven by. the former witness, gave similar evidence. A traction engine was travelling along the road at the time when the train was coming, and this # would prevent the, accused from hearing tho :train wistle. The traction engine ! would obscure' defendant's view of •the. line, and it appeared that as 'soori'as the traction engine left the iroad, defendant drove onward. . ' Percy Dransfield, d»?fendant, said ■ that he could not see the railway lino plainly owing to obstructions ■audi "as ■ & stack of -tinibcr, and a building. He did. not hear the whistle of the railway engine. He did not attempt to cross the line ;when he saw the tr&iu :had b'efen following at- the fear of the traction'en gi no, which lurried oil 'into Dftn'iejlV. yard. Tliw _the horses sprang'forward, and he did not. fiee ithe train till his horses wore nearly ion- the line. He then pulled tho ihorses aside, and the vehicle capsized. He did His best to avert a collision. : . His Worship said that he "did not think accused attempted to deliberately cross the line. Ho would, "therefore, dismiss the case. . In- a defended case A. C. Gunthor claimed from the Public Trustee the sum,of £27* 9s for board and lodging in respect for a deceased person (his mother). Mr S. J. Moran appeared' for plaintiff, and Mr J.* Hay for defendant. After hearing the evidence, Mr 'ißeid, S.M. V - wfib occupied the bench, said that he would allow Gunfher £1 per week for board and lodging, the other hand it would only be fair that the Public Trustee should be allowed 15s a week for rent' and furniture. He would, therefore, give judgment for plaintiff for £6 17s <3d. with costs .£-1 14s 6d. i