MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8944, 19 December 1907, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MASTERTON-THURSDAY. (Before Mr W. P. James, S.M.)

DRUNKENNESS

William Vesoy was charged with beiug fouud drunk iv a public place yesterday, beiug his second offeuco withiu six mouths. A lino of 10s, iv default forty-oight hours' hard labour, was imposed. A first offender, for a similar offence, was fined ss, iv default twenty-four hours' hard labour.

BREACH OF SHOP ACT

Herbert T. Wood was charged, on the information of Factory luspoctor Hood, with employiug au assistant on a statutory half-holiday—viz., sth December last.

Defendant admitted the offeuce

The luspoctor pointed out that he had warned defeudaut that in doing as he had done he was committing a broach of the Act, as defendant had told him that a medical man had said ho was justified in his action.

A five of 20s aud 7s costs was imposed.

BREACH OF BOROUGH BY-LAWS,

Thomas D. Thompson was charged, on the information of Borough luspoctor Cairns, with allowing offensive matter—namely, decaying fish—to accumulate on' his premises in Queoustreot.

Mr C. A. Powuali appeared for defeudaut, who pleaded not guilty. J. Cairns, Borough Inspector, said the decayed fish found on the premises was iv a very bad state, and though wituess had asked that the offensive matter be removed it had not beeu done.

Mr Powuali said defendant admitted that the rubbish was there, but defendant had beeu ill, and so far as he was concerned had no kuowledge that the Inspector's request was not boiug complied with. Thompson had been very nuwell of late, aud a heavy penalty would uot be justified uuder all circumstances. The Magistrate said that in view of the facts lie would impose the light penalty of "20s. The offence was serious, aud defeudaut should be careful iv future. Costs amounted to 7s. BREACH OF PROHIBITION ORDER. Peter Noilseu was charged with beiug found ou licensed premises duriug the currency of a prohibition order. Defeudaut pleaded guilty, and was fiued 10s, with Ts costs. Defendant explained that the offence was committed ou tho day the order was taken out, aud lie had been told by several people that the order did not operate uutil next day. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. Frederick Johnston, licensee of the Mulgravo Hotel (Dreyertou), was charged with selling liquor to Johu Boram during hours when the hotel was directed by the Licensing Act to be closed. Defendant pleaded guilty, aud as Sergeaut Miller said defeudaut had only served one drink to Boram, who had arrived home in Mastertou drunk after a drive to Mauriceville, the Magistrate said he would only fine him £2, with Os costs. As defendant did not try to evade tho penalty, aud had pleaded guilty, his license was not indorsed. BREACH OF ADULTERATION PREVENTION ACT. Eraser Maua Ross, licensee of the Mauriceville Hotel, was charged with a breach of the Adulteration Prevention Act, sectiou 24, by selling whisky adulterated with water. Defendant was represented by Mr Powuali. who said the offence was admitted. Ross had, however, merely broken dowu a decanter of whisky for the use of the house. Ross had uot personally sold the adulterated liquor, which had been carelessly left with other spirits in the bar, which had proved to be over proof. Sergeant Miller said that three samples were taken aud tested, aud one was fouud to be four aud a-half per cent, under proof.

A fine of £5, with 19s costs, was imposed.