TAIHAPE MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 10

TAIHAPE MAGISTRATE’S COURT

MONTHLY SITTING HELD VARIOUS CASES TRIED (Own Correspondent) TAIHAPE, Feb. 2. The monthly sitting of the Taihape Magistiates Court was held before Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M., to-day, when various cases were tried. John Pamoana Gilchrist was charged with negligent driving on January 10, when a car, which he was driving, crashed into a stream while he was about to cross a bridge, this being on the Main South Road, near Mr M O’Dea’s residence, at Winiata. He ivas also charged with driving without a licence. Counsel for defendant, Mr. W. H. Maclean, stated that Gilchrist was pleading guilty to both charges. It was explained that defendant had overlooked renewing his licence after it expired last. May. A new licence had now been taken out.

Sergeant Mcßae pointed out that though defendant’s licence expired last May, it had not been re-

newed until late in January, 1939. A line of 20s and costs was imposed. In regard to the negligent driving charge. Mr. Maclean explained that defendant worked on his father’s farm, at Utiku, and on the evening of January 9, he had taken a party of shearers home in his father’s car, and then visited Taihape, where he remained for several hours. He' and a companion, Gibbs, were returning to Utiku late at night, when they had crashed into the creek. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Gilchrist thought that he must have gone to sleep when approaching the bridge. Sergeant Mcßae said that Gilchrist had a number of drinks in Taihape. Instead of crossing the bridge Gilchrists car went over the abutment appoaching the bridge, and smashed a plank as it crashed into the creek. Gilchrist was fined 30s, and costs 12s on this charge.

The Inspector of Factories proceeded against A. J. Evans and R. Robertson on a charge of failing to close their shop at 1 p.m. on a half-holiday. A plea of guilty was entered by Mr. R. Ongley, who appeared for defendants. He submitted that it was not a serious breach. Counsel stated that Buckett, an employee of the firm, was engaged in delivering country orders and did not. get finished in time. His employers had been in the habit lately of allowing him to take the lorry home after he had finished, instead of reporting at the shop, and therefore did not know when he finished. The inspector said that the onus was on the employer to see that its van was off the road by the time set out in the award. The case had been brought as a warning and the department was not pressing

for a penalty. A fine of £1 and costs 13s, also witness’ expenses 15s, was imposed. The police proceeded against John Quirk on a charge of selling liquor after hours on January 9.

James Garden Stephens, barmanporter, at the Gretna Hotel, faced two charges of supplying liquor after hours, it being alleged that he supplied John Pamoana Gilchrist and Bruce Edward Gibbs in a small lounge at the Gretna Hotel.

Stephens put forward the defence that he thought Gilchrist and Gibbs were boarders. He and Quirk both pleaded not guilty, and the magistrate dismissed the informations after hearing evidence.

His Worship remarked that it was a borderline case, and the defendants were entitled to the benefit of the doubt. The evidence showed that Quirk was not on the premises at the time.

Mr. R. C. Ongley appeared for Quirk and Stephens, while Sergeant Mcßae conducted the prosecution on behalf of the police. E. C. Batt was fined £4. and costs 12s for failing to clear foxglove on his property.

Mr. John Robinson, Noxious Weeds Inspector, conducted the prosecution. Archibald Paterson was fined 30s and costs 10s for speeding. Inspector Hartigan said that defendant was travelling at 39 miles per hour when witness checked up or