In the Dominion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 218, 14 September 1928, Page 6

In the Dominion

“In the old days we used to rule that a licensee could not be convicted of exposing liquor for sale unless the bar was actually open and you could see the bottles; now it is sufficient to find a person in the bar prepared to sell liquor,” said Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., during the hearing of a .licensing case in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court. PATI NT JUDGES

Comment on the patience shown by Judges of the Supreme Court was made by Mr Justice Blair in the Hamilton Supreme Court during the hearing of a case. After remarking that one of the counsel engaged had much tried his patience, his Honor said he thought the Judges were far too patient sometimes, and that possibly it would be better for all parties if they were not so lenient in this respect. AN OLD SUIT

“I’ve only had one suit in nine years,” declared a witness at the Auckland Police Court. Mr Hunt, S.M., looked incredulous. “Nine years?” he said. “That’s a long time.” The witness agreed. “Too right it is,” he said, “and this is the suit I’m ■wearing.” Mr Hunt congratulated him on his fortunate purchase, and added: “It’s a good job you haven’t grown!” As the man was grey-haired and middleaged, the humour of the remaik was not lost on the Court. DIRECT EVIDENCE WANTED

A claim for £3 was received by the Mount Eden Borough Council, Auckland, by a gentleman who alleged that he tripped in a hole on a footpath and damaged his trousers. Some time ago the unfortunate local body had to recompense a resident for damaged trousers as the outcome of tripping over a load of gravel dumped on a footpath, and more recently had to recompense a lady who failed to see a hole in a footpath, and as the outcome of a fall damaged one' knee and a pair of silk stockings. In connection with the present claim, the council decided to get further evidence, this to include the damaged trousers. LAX PROCEEDINGS

Three divorce petitions presented in the Supreme Court in Christchurch last week did not contain the names of the clergymen who conducted the marriage services, and Mr Justice Adams refused to grant decrees until the names were supplied. In one case he said he would not hear the evidence until the defect was remedied. "In respect to these matters in future,” his Honor added, “the rules will be followed strictly. The somewhat lax judicial administration of the rule will be discontinued. There is no excuse for these omissions. The simplest care in regard to details would save the Court a great deal of trouble, and, possibly, the. parties some expense.” The Judge ordered to stand over a petition in which a name did not coincide with the name in the marriage certificate. A certificate put in was described by his Honor as a piece of wastepaper and as a partly fillcd-in form, as it was unsigned. DEPUTATION OF CHILDREN An unusual “deputation” waited on the Otago Peninsula County Council at its meeting last week in the form of a group of eight of the senior pupils of the Portobello School under the guidance of the headmaster, Mr Bennett. The latter explained that the “deputation’ ’ was somewhat unique, inasmuch as it had no grievances to ventilate and no requests to make. The visit formed part of the children’s education in civic matters, and he thought that something of value could be. learned by bringing them into direct contact with the council, as they would thereby get a better impression of what it was doing. The chairman gave a brief outline of various matters associated with county administration, mentioning the method of election and the duties undertaken by the councillors. In thanking the council for the privilege extended to the children, Mr Bennett said it might happen in say 20 years’ time that some of the children present would be occupying seats at that table, and that some of the present councillors would be doing public duty in a wider sphere in Wellington. IT HAVE BEEN

An incident, which, under less fortunate circumstances, would I- xve had a startling effect upon the Egmont election occurred prior to the meeting of the round-table conference at Rahotu. Instead of Air Green retiring from the contest voluntarily, it was only a bit of good luck that a tragedy was not recorded and that the Hon. O. J. Hawckn’s opponent was not Mr Wilkinson but Mr Green. While motoring round the borough to pick up a member of his committee on the way to Rahotu, Mr Wilkinson was blinded t. rain and fog that evening, and turned down a blind strejet on the outskirts of the borough and crashed into the ditch and fence, narrowly missing an electric lightpole. Mr Wilkinson was accompanied by Messrs T. C. Stauners and W. Rigg, but all fortui&tbiy escaped injuries. The car was damaged considerably, and was later removed to the rapair shop. Nothing daunted, however, Mr Wilkinson hurried home and brought out another car, with which the journey to Rahotu was made, and where the eventful decision was announced. The night was wet and stormy, and it was with oeHffgs of much relief (apart froin-'the new political aspect created) that the party arrived home safely about midnight.