FOXTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 September 1929, Page 3

FOXTON

{From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Sept. 12. The now courthouse was used for the first time this morning for the monthly sitting of tho Court. The building is a very fine structure and contains some excellent workmanship. It is well ventilated, while a hot water heating system provides ample warmth throughout the building during tho cold weather. The building comprises portico, with witnesses’ room, public office and magistrate’s room on the south side, and tho courtroom and public gallery on the north. The furniture of the courtroom comprises a raised bench for the magistrate with a desk in front for use of the prosecuting police officer, while on cither side are witness boxes. A long table is located in the centre of the room for tho use of solicitors. The death occurred at Napier quite suddenly on Tuesday; September 3rd, of Mr Thomas Purcell, aged 62 years. Deceased was born in Foxton and received his education at the local school, after which he entered the Pest and Telegraph service, leaving Foxton and receiving his early tuition at tho Gallery in Wellington. The late Mr Purcell was very well-known throughout tho island. The last position ho held was that of postmaster at Stratford, retiring from tho service on superannuation eight years ago when he took up his residence in Napier. Deceased was a brother of Messrs D. and J. Purcell (Foxton), W. Purcell (Whangarci) and of Mrs Marples (Cambridge). The funeral took place at Napier last Thursday. The following are the results of the theory examination held on June 8 in connection with Trinity College of Music, London, at the Brigidine Convent, Foxton: —Higher local: Clarice Walsh 67 (pass). Senior: Gladys McMillan 87 (honours), Rena Warwick 70 (pass). Advanced intermediate: Kathleen Hornblow 80 (honours), Bertha Gower 70 (pass). Intermediate: Florence Symon 90 (honours), Mary Josephine Martin 68 (pass). Junior: Mary Martin 95 (honours), Jean E. Francis S 3 (honours). Preparatory: Dympna V. Smith 98 (honours), Phyllis McDowell 74_ (pass). Confirmation services were held in All Saints’ Church when the Bishop of Wellington, Dr T. H. Sprott, paid his annual visit. The Bishop, in an interesting talk to tho candidates, spoke of St. Paul’s experience in shipwreck, pointing out how the ship drifted until finally wrecked. The great danger in life to-day was the policy of drift. Very few deliberately meant to be wicked, or to live an evil life, but the great dangers of life were simply caused through drifting into evil habits. Confirmation with its blessings gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to live Christian lives. Tho following were confirmed: —Albert De Lacey, Albert Edward King, Edward Charles Morgan, Arthur Joseph Murphy, Wilfred Brian Murphy, John Clifton Symons, Charlotte Alice Carmont, Ethel Edith Harris, Maud Alice Fryen, Iris May Grimwood, Greta Olive Coley, Grace Valerie Coley. Claurine May Smith, Meta Margaret McKenzie, Noclinc Hilda Brown Mason. Tho Bishop expressed his great pleasure at the musical portion of the service. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. The monthly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M. Peter Petersen was charged with procuring intoxicating liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order. Arising out of this charge, D. G. Robinson, A. Lee and A. T. Harper wore charged with assisting Petersen to procure intoxicating liquor. All parties pleaded not guilty. In evidence, Constable Owen stated that, at about 6.20 p.m., on the 31st August, Constable Bell and witness were walking along Hall Street when they heard men’s voices. There was no one about the road and on investigating they found four men sitting ion tho ground behind a hedge. They were all more or less intoxicated. On the ground between Lee and Petersen was a full bottle of beer unopened (produced) and close beside them were two newly emptied beer bottles and a halfempty bottle. Tho defendants all knew each other quite well. Petersen was a well-known identity and was prohibited in May last. The fact that Petersen was prohibited was known to all accused. Petersen said he had heard voices and went over to where the men were. He was uninvited and did not get a drink. Constable Owen said that Petersen had been “on the drink” for about a week and showed signs of intoxication on their arrival. Constable 801 l gavo corroborative evidence. D. Robinson, in evidence, said ho had attended a football match in Levin with Lee during the afternoon. They decided to have a drink before 6 o’clock and on making their way to the hotel they met Harper. Witness decided, as it was getting late, to procure a couple of bottles of beer and have the drink on the section. They went behind the hedge and were just having a drink’ when Petersen arrived. Tho Magistrate (facetiously) : How did he know you wore there ? Did ho smell the liquor ? Witness: No, he heard our voices. Continuing, Robinson said that they had scarcely had time to have a drink when Constable Owen turned a torch on them. The Magistrate: Most unfortunate! Constable Owen stated that neither he nor Constable Bell had a torch, but this Robinson denied. A. Lee entered the box to give corroborative evidence in regard to the torch. Constable Owen had a light of some description. Witness never saw Petersen have a drink. Tho Magistrate: Was it too dark ? Didn’t you see whether he had a bottle or not The Magistrate: How many bottles of beer were opened ? —Only one. The Magistrate: You must have boon unlucky then. There were two others opened. Petersen also entered the box and in evidence said that ho was on his way home and heard the others talking. The Magistrate: Did you hear tho clink of the bottles ? Witness: No and I did not see any beer. The others must have been careful to hide the liquor as they knew I was prohibited. As a matter fact, added witness, he would not have had a drink if it had been offered to him. The Magistrate (in a surprised voice): What, not on a dark night behind a hedge ? The Magistrate said the Court could not believe that Petersen did not have a drink when he was found behind a hedge on a dark night with beer all around him. Each defendant was convicted and fined £2 with costs 10s. OTHER CASES. Clarence Wilfred Coley was charged with driving a motor car without holding a driver’s license. Constablo Owen, in evidence. stated that defendant was driving a motor car about Foxton when he was arrested in a state of drunkenness. Ho admitted he had no license. Defendant was fined 10s with costs 10s. Charles Walker, charged with riding a bicyclo in the borough after dark, without lights, was fined 5s with costs 10s. Judgment was given for plaintiff in the following civil undefended cases: —A. E. Tongs v. J. E. Sullivan, claim £6 11s 2d. costs £1 12s 6d; J. M. Thomson v. P. Boyland, £lO, costs £2 2s 6d; A. E. Tongs v. E. A. Martin, £6 17s lid, costs £1 10s 6d; . Chrystall v. 11. Hakaraia, £46 16s, costs £4 6s 6d; H. Holgerson v. Tuna Roiri, £3 15s, costs £1 10s 6d.