MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Wairarapa Age, 22 February 1924, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

FEATHERSTON SITTING. (Our Travelling Reporter.) The monthly sitting of the Featherston Magistrate’s Court wa s held yesI terday, Mr 8. L. I’. Free presiding. CIVIL CASES. | Judgment by default for plaintiff was given in the following cases: Benton and Player v. C. Ansill, claim £5 4/10, costs £1 /4; F. \V. Smith v. H. .Asher, claim £6 2/9, costs £1 14/6; H. ,C. \\ood v. L. Bovin, claim £4 7/3, costs £1 5/6. ' On a,judgment summons Alf. Johnston (Kahautara) was ordered to pay Veitch and Alleji the sum of £2 11/2 forthwith, in default 3 days’ imprisonment. FAILING TO ATTEND. Fred J. Wenham and miiiam T. Houghton were each convicted and fined 10/ and 1.1/6 costs for failing to attend drill. Gordon D. McEwen pleaded guilty to trespassing on the Tauhercnikau racecourse on January 2 while having convictions against him for other offences. Mr Lawson stated that accused left without resistance when being informed "he was an undesirable. For the past 12 months McEwen had been engaged in contracting work in the Martinborough district and -was endeavouring to live down his past mistakes. He came in for a holiday and wa, s not aware he was committing a breach of the regulations. In convicting McEwen and inflicting a fine of £5 and £1 11/4 costs, the Magistrate said accused had elected to take the risk and must pay the consequences. BOXING NIGHT EPISODE. Alfred Walker and William R. McMinn were charged with committing a breach of the peace at the Tauherej.ikau Hotel on the evening of Decernler 26. Mr Lawson appeared for McMinn, and Mr Biss for Walker, both of whom pleaded not guilty. Mr Biss said the point they were Cut to prove was who was the :cr and who was the aggrieved. Herbert R. Barrett, licensee of the Tauhercnikau Hotel, said that about closing time there was an argument between two sets of people, one in the private and one in the public bar. McMinn rushed to the front bar and on following he found the two men locked together and both bleeding freely. There w r ere three casks of beer on the floor with pieces of broken glasses on the top of them which the men were tumbling over. He could not say who was the aggressor. There was a* smashing of glass and after being separated McMinn collapsed, while bleeding freely from a wound on top of the head. William Patterson, labourer, said he wa s in the public bar when McMinn called out: ‘ ‘Don’t mention my name or I will come round and punch you on 'he nose.” Walker advised him to have nothing to do with McMinn, who was a ‘ ‘ fighting man.' ’ He closed up and McMinn threatened to come round and smash in Walker’s face. This threat was carried into execution. He never saw a bottle used. John Bruce, motor engineer, said he assisted to separate the men. They placed McMinn in a car and took him to Dr. Doctor, who put two stitches in the cut on his head. McMinn was later conveyed to the Greytown Hotel.

To Mr Lawson: Walker had the neck off a broken bottle in his hand. Arthur Davis said he saw Walker pick up a bottle from the bar counter and go to meet McMinn. He thought McMinn was dead when placed in the car. Alfred Walker (63 years of age) storekeeper, residing at Tauhercnikau, said he heard McMinn threatening Patterson and advised the latter to say nothing. McMinn said “You keep your b— mouth out of it.” His reply was: “You arc always looking for someone you can take down easily.” McMinn replied: “You b —. I’ll smash you up,” and rushed round and struck him in the face, breaking his glasses and his false teeth. He then grabbed a bottle from the counter and they closed. The bottle broke when they rolled on to the casks and he sustained cuts on the wrist. Francis B. Alloway heard McMinn threatening Walker. William R. McMinn, of the Defence Department, said ho wa s drinking with some friends, when they were invited to go to another bar. On entering he was struck on the head with a bottle. He saw Walker -with the neck of a broken bottle in his hand. He then closed with him. There-,was no bad blood. AV hat was said between them at the bar was only in a joking mood. He knew something of boxing, but had noir been in the ring since 1914. He knew no reason why Walker should be afraid of him. To Mr Biss: He denied threatening Patterson. All he said to Patterson was: “What is biting you.” In convicting both men, the Magistrate stated one was just as much to blame as the other. They were finqd £2 each and costs. POLLUTING A STREAM. Frank fearson, flaxmillcr, of Kahutara, wa s charged by the Acclimatisation Society with polluting the Ruamahanga river by permitting flax fibre to flow into it. Mr Lawson, on behalf of defendant, pleaded guilty. He said the mill had been carried on for 40 years, and this was the first complaint received. Defendant was convicted and fined £2 and 22/ costs.