OHAKUNE COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19035, 12 June 1924, Page 7

OHAKUNE COURT

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1924. BEFORE R. M. WATSON, ESQ., S.M. (From Our Own Correspondent). AFFILIATION CASE. Considerable interest was apparently centred in the above case, the plaintiff being Marjorie Oliphant and defendant Robert Donaldson. This case had been before Magistrate Watson on six previous occasions and adjournments were made from time to time in order that one or the other might obtain fresh evidence. Plaintiff alleged defendant was the father of her unborn child. Mr Waldegrave appeared for plaintiff and Mr Trcguttjia for defendant. His Worship had reserved his decision from the previous court, and gave his decision on Tuesday as follows: —He had carefully considered the evidence and considered an order must be made. Defendant would have to find surety for £25 to provide expenses of birth of the unborn child. The amount of maintenance could not be assessed until after the child was born. Defendant would also be called upon to pay £3 3s solicitor’s fee and witnesses’ expenses according to scale. Mr Tregurtha asked if His Worship would fix the amount of t ppeal and this was made at £l5. ALLEGED OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Chas. Jones was charged with using obscene language at Ohakune Junction on May 13. The police prosecuted, and Mr Ongley appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. Thos. Herbert said that he remembered the night in question. The defendant was drunk and used the obscene language which appeared in the charge. A telegraph messenger, who was assisting Herbert with the mails, saw defendant on the station and saw Herbert strike him. He also heard obscene language used. He could not say what the words were but he knew they were offensive. Defendant denied using the language, but admitted that he did use bad language when drunk. Defendant had a long list of previous convictions, but the Magistrate said he would give him one more chance. He could not help imposing a heavy fine, which he made at £lO and costs. Defendant also agreed to the issue of a prohibition order. ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS. George Aulding. was charged with being drunk in a railway carriage at Mataroa, on April 19. Two railway officials gave evidence to the effect that they had seeft defendant on the train. One was positive defandant was drunk, and the other could not swear positively it was defendant. Defendant said he was not drunk, and had only had two whiskies and one beer while at Taihape. He was quite all right in the train and had no further liquor. When asked by the police what he went to Taihape for, defendant said he went to purchase a few little things. His Worship: “Yes, two whiskies and a beer!” (Laughter). He said there was no reason why he did not have lunch before he left Rangatau, but when in Taihape he did not have any before taking the whisky. In reply to the police he said he did bring a little beer back to Rangataua and this turned out to be two lots, one of five gallons and one of two gallons. Convicted and fined £1 and costs.

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT PROPERTY. J. E. Ratcliffe was charged with neglecting to return certain articles of uniform belong to the Defence Department. Capt. Wales said defendant had been written to regarding the return of the property, and they had been put to considerable trouble in order to recover same. The property was now all ready to return. Fined £2 and 7s costs. FAILING TO DRILL. Tasman Patterson and W. L. Ed- ( wards were each fined 10s and costs for failing to render personal service. A. H. Deadman was ordered to pay costs for failing to attend drill and failing to return uniform. CIVIL CASES. The following civil cases were dealt with and judgment was given for plaintiff: Sourby v. Granville.—Claim £4 ss. Jean v. Steins.—Claim 17s sd. M. Ohlsen was ordered to pay Geo. Court at the rate of £1 per month until the amount of claim, £2 10s, was liquidated.