MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8710, 19 March 1907, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

' MASTERTON^TUESDAY. Mr W. P. James, S.M., occupied the bench at the Magistrate's Court at Masterton, this morning. Walter Whittaker, charged Avith driving a vehicle in a public street after dark Avithout a light, pleaded guilty, stating in defence that it Avas only seA r en o'clock in the evening, auel that he Avas merely out a little later than usual. A fine of ss, and 7s costs, Avas impeised. James Griffin Avas chargeei with elrunkenness, and also AAath the theft of a plate 'of oysters, A-alue Is, the property of S. Azale. Accused pleaded guilty. to being drunk,' but not to the theft of the oysters. S. Azale deposed to accused having the oysters at his shop, and not paying for the same. Accused Avas intoxicateel. A fine of- 5s was imposed on the charge of drunkenness, the information for theft being dismissed.

Sydney Cross Avas charged, under the Police Offences Act, with driving a motor car through a public street at a. furious rate. Mr C. A. PoAvnall appeared for defendant, aa t lio pleaded not guilty. Constable Egan gave evidence as to the rate of speed being travelled, estimating it at from fifteen to twenty miles per hour. Defendant deposed that he had held a chauffeur's liceuse in London for six years. Considered the speed of the car at the time of the alleged offence Avas about tAveh r e miles per hour, and he could have pulled up the car within tAA r elve feet, His Worship considered twelve miles per hour was au excessive speed, aud thought a limit of ten miles per hour should be adhered to. As no limit had been fixed by local authority, and as this was the first case of the kind, a conviction only Avas entered. EdAvard Church traversed a charge of riding a bicycle after sunset Avithout a light. Constable Egan deposed to defendant committing the alleged offence, but stated that he Avas going at too great a speed to be intercepted. Had no doubt, about the identity of defends ant, Defendant detailed his movements em the night in question, Avhich Avent ■ to show that the lamp on his bicycle Avas lit on occasions when the bicycle Avas being used;by,him. The information was dismissed. A charge of cruelty to a dumb animal preferred against Albert A. Marbey and Archibald Montgomery was, on the application of Mr C. A. PoAvnall, Avho appeared for Marbey, adjourned till Friday next.