COURTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 29 August 1908, Page 7

COURTS.

(Per Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, August 27. A peculiar state of affairs was revealed in the Magistrate's Court to-day, to-day in a case in which the Bay Town Board matte a claim against a resident for half the cost of construction of fcotpaths, kerbing and channelling. Counsel for the defence said he noticed by looking through the minutes that at a meeting on sth June, 1907, all the members of the Board with the exception of the Chairman handed in their resignations, which were accepted by the Chairman. In cross-examination the Clerk to the Board said that by, the-time mentioned above all the bers had been told that they should' have gone out of office in the previous September in terms of the Act. In answer to further questions witness said that the reading of the Act was obscure and members thought they had a right to remain in office till their successors were appointed. Counsel for the defence submitted there was no plaintiff in existence, and his Worship nonsuited the plaintiff. Leave to appeal was granted!

CHRIKTCHURCH, August 27. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, Mrs Amy Winny, an old lady of 81, was awarded £60 damages against the Christchurch Tramway Board for injuries sustained by reason of a conductor starting a car before the plaintiff was properly on board. The plaintiff fell and broke her lea;.

Auckland;" August 28. Arthur Cleave, proprietor of the ' 'Sporting an*l Dramatic Review," appeared at the Polios Court to-day upon eighteen informations, charging, him with having published advertisements from a number of persons willing to give advice on the probable results of horse races, and to make bats on wagers on the results of horse races.

Mr Dyer, S.M., explained that the question was whether Cleave, when he accepted the advertisements, was aware of the business of the advertisers.

Counsel for the defence submitted that the Court was only concerned with tho advertisements, and nothing else. • The Magistrate decided that Arthur Cleave committed a breach of the Gaming Act by publishing an advertisement from persons willing to bet, and was fined .-61 arid £5 19s costs. Mr Dyer stated that he would give the defendant every opportunity to take the case to a higher Court if he desired.