MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19767, 15 February 1927, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

YESTERDAY’S SITTING FAILURE to return coat. Air. J. S. Barton, S.AI., presided at a sitting of the Wanganui Alagistrate’s Court yesterday. A charge of failing to return a coat found in his taxicab within the 24-hour period prescribed by the by-law, was preferred against George Charles Smith. Air. F. F. Wills appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that defendant had taken a party out to Nukumaru, and Mrs. Paul had left her coat in the taxi. Smith did not know of it at the time and neither did his wife.

Defendant gave evidence that he was not aware of the by-law regarding articles left in hired vehicles. The Magistrate stated that there was no evidence of dishonesty, but defendant had broken the by-law and a conviction would have to be recorded. A fine of 10s. with 10s costs was imposed. By-Law Cases. Inspector G. Fear brought a batch of cyclists before Court for not having their cycles lighted at night, and in most cases substantial fines were inflicted. A number of excuses were offered, the most effective being cither that defendants’ lamps had been stolen or else their lighting supply gave out just before they reached the Inspector. One young man who found fit to tell the inspector what he thought of him had an extra ss. added to his already substantial fine. •

For cycling without lights Edward A. Coley was fined 20s and costs 10s. For similar offences the following fines were inflicted:—Athol Baylor, 15s, costs 10s; Arthur Carroll, 355, costs 10s; Athol Gosnell 20s, costs 10s; James Heald 40s, costs 10s; Gordon Lints 355, costs 10s; Albert Skilton ss, costs 10s; G. Pederson 355, costs 12s; Stanley Wall 355, costs 10s; Rodney White ss, costs 10s; James Birchall 255, costs 12s; Nelson Williamson ss, costs 10s.

Noisy motor-cycles have always proved expensive luxuries when the owners have been haled before the Court, and W. Rayner was fined 40s and costs 12s.