MAGISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2594, 31 August 1909, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

I MONDAY AUGUST 30: ... (Before - Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Ernest John West pleaded guilty to haying bee>n the worse for drink on Saturday, 'and admitted a previous conviotion for ra similar-oliehee within the past six months'. Defendant aa;ss fined £1 Avith 2s costs in default 4 days’ imprisonment in the Gisborne Gaol.. THEFT OF A WATCH. Thomas.'Milne, a young man, admitted having: stolen a watch valued at 37s <sd, " thij .property of James Ferguson, proprietor of the Gladstone board-ing-house. j[ Sergeant; Hutton said the accused, whip was staying at the Gladstone boarding-hpuco, on Saturday last, stole the- watch from a room and pawned it for 3s. . .. ■ The accused admitted two previous ■convictions, for theft, one for forgery, and one for vagrancy. • His Wcrsliio (to the accused): Apparently, you are an old thief. You are sentenced' to three months imprisonment with hard labor in the Napier gaol. -- - COUNTY BY-LAWS.

The Cook County Council * (Mr. Stock) procood d against Peter Rugstead, on a charge of lurring broken The County’s Avheel-tyre by-larv. Mr. Coleman appeared for the defence and entered a plea of not guilty. Thomn-s Schofield, roadman employed by the Cook County Council, said that on August sth he sarv defendant driving a six-horse team on the MahiaMuriAvai a-oad. The Avaggons had springs, hut the springs Avere not acting properly as the rear springs had bumpers. The tyres on the front Avheels Avere If inches and on the rear 2J inches Avide. The defendant did not appear, and Mr. Coleman said he would admit the breach. Rugstead Avas a resident of the Muriwai County and rarely came into Cook County, and so was ignorant of the Cook County by-laws. Under the circumstances he thought a small penaltA* might be inflicted - as the costs would be considerable. A fine of 10s with £4 13s 6d costs Avas inflicted.

INDECENCY. „ * A Maori named Rawiri Haua, was, on the information of Constable Doyle, charged with having behaved in an indecent manner at Te Ka-raka, on August 20 th. T,he accused did not appear anu as defendant Avas liable te be sent to the Supreme Court for trial, his Worship issued a Avarrant for his arrest. As the accused was about the toAvn he was arrested and appeared before the Court during the afternoon. In answer to the usual question he elected to be dealt Avith summarily and pleaded guilty. Constable Doyle said the defendant was a man of drunken habits, and a number of previous convictions Avere put in. His Worship said drunkenness was no excuse for the offence. The accused had a bad. record, and a sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment with hard labor was imposed. The prisoner laugher heartily on hearing the sentence. A MAINTENANCE CASE. In the case of Betsy .Murtogh v. John Darvill, claim for maintenance, the defendant did not appear and a Avarrent was issued for his arrest. DISMISSING AN APPRENTICE The Inspector of Factories (Mr. W. H.- Westbrook) proceeded against George Hall, tailor, of Gisborne, for a Breach of the Factories Act, in that lie did discharge Celia Rendall Avitliout properly cancelling her indentures, and on - a second charge of failing to pay Celia Rendall an apprentice - 5s per week as provided by the Tailors and Tailoress’ AAvard. / Mr. T. A. Coleman appeared for the defence. Minnie Rendall, mother of Celia Rendall, gave evidence that her daughter was indentured to the defendant as an apprentice for three years. She Avas not Avilling to the indentures being cancelled though she had since agreed to the cancellation. She had come to the conclusion that the girl had done best in leaving defendant’s employ. Mr. Coleman held there was no case to answer and asked that the case be dismissed. His Worship: The case has not been put before me. I really know nothing about it. Mr. Westbrook: I really^don’t know Avhat evidence you want, your Worship. HR Worship: You must prove your ease, Mr. Westbrook. I asked you if you had any further evidence. The-case was dismissed for want or evidence.