MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 14, 14 December 1932, Page 10

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

INSULTING WORDS. Messrs J. T. Bosworth and C. L. Mowlem, J.P.’s, presided at the sitting of the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Robert Graham, who was charged with using insulting words in Palmerston North on December 13 to a young lady pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse stated that yesterday a young lady was sitting on a seat in the Square gardens when accused, who was more or less drunk, took a seat behind her and used insulting words. The young lady complained to the head gardener. Mr Gordon, who appeared for accused, said that Graham was a shearer; lie came to town with a cheque, and imbibed more than was good for him. Accused had learned a lesson and counsel suggested that lie be ordered to come up for sentence if called upon. Accused was willing to take out a prohibition order. 'The Bench remarked that it tvns a very serious tiling if women could not sit in a public place without being insulted by a man who had taken liquor. Mr Gordon stated that this was the first time accused had been charged with any offence. Tho Bench ordered accused to come up for sentence if called upon, stating that he would have to pay the expenses, 11s, and take out a prohibition order. Accused could consider himself lucky for if he had not been a respectable looking man he -would have been sent to prison. MONTH’S IMPRISONMENT. Thomas Roberts, described as a seaman, aged 52 years, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person in that ho had insufficient lawful means of support. Accused pleaded guilty, whereupon Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse stated that lie was a man who travelled round the country at the expense of the Labour Department, to which he owed £2 8s lid for fares. He had obtained fares to go to relief camps and had been placed on the department’s “black list” as one not entitled to further relief. Yesterday he had obtained an order to go to a camp from the local Labour Department. Accused was a man who had gone to several camps, but the longest time lie had remained was five weeks. Apparently, he was a man who desired a good time, and did not like work at all. Accused said he was sorry, but the camps he went to did not suit him. The Bench remarked that accused had “had a pretty good run for his money,” or, rather, the department’s money. He did not look like a man who could not do hard work. Sentence of one month’s imprisonment was imposed. SERIOUS CHARGE. Wililam Lindsay Atkinson, alias Clifford, alias Wnite, alias Bake, 42 years of age, was charged with indecent assault. The Court was cleared during the hearing of the evidence, after which accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence.