18th January 1924 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

On Friday last, before H.C. Marshall, Esq., in the chair, Claud Fraser, Esq., Mrs C.R. Dimsdale, and the Clerk (Mr H.M. Gisby).

A Sunday Morning Episode

Albert George Stacey, 42, of Green Hill, Braughing, appeared on a charge of being found in unlawful possession of a rabbit and two snares at Braughing.

P.c. Briden, of Braughing, said that on Sunday, 23rd December, at 10.55 a.m., he was on duty at Green Hill, Braughing, when he saw the defendant coming down Bell Lane.

He met him near Malting Cottages, where he stopped him, and told him he should search him. Defendant ran away, but witness caught him and on searching him found on him a rabbit and two snares. He told the defendant he should report the case.

The constable stated that Stacey was a single man. He was living at home, and was a good workman. He had not lost a day's working during the three-and-a-half years he (witness) had known him. His employer was Mr F. Brown of Braughing.

The skin and snares were then produced, and after consultation the Chairman said the snares would be confiscated, and the defendant would be fined 10s. including costs.

The fine was paid in court.

Probation Officer Re-appointed

The Probation Officer's annual report was submitted to the Bench.

The report showed that during the year there was one fresh case. The number at present under the care of Mr Andrews was two, one being a woman, and the other a man, both over 16. During the year four persons had completed their period of probation, and all four cases were satisfactory.

The Bench re-appointed Mr Andrews as Probation Officer, and the Chairman, who said he was sorry Mr Andrews was not pressent, asked the Clerk to convey to the officer congratulations on the excellent way he fulfilled his duties, and the thanks of the Bench for his work in the Buntingford area.

27th August 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., and Captain H.H. Williams, with the Clerk (Mr H.M. Gisby).

No Licence

William Brown, of Harestreet, Buntingford, was charged with keeping a dog without a licence.

P.c. Gillett gave evidence of calling on defendant at 10 p.m. on 21st June.

The Chairman, who referred to the absence of the defendant from Court, said there would be a fine of 10/- with 4/- costs.

A Motor Case: Sequel to an Accident

Cecil Charles, of Cottered, was summoned for driving a motor car without having efficient brakes attached, at Buntingford, on 14th July.

P.c. Williams, of Buntingford, stated that he was called to the scene of an accident during the afternoon of 14th July.

On arrival he found that a motor lorry, owned by Mr Charles of Cottered, had collided with a Calthorpe car at the junction of Baldock Road. He noticed a skid mark made by the front wheels of the lorry; there were no skid marks from the rear wheels. The road was in good condition.

On Friday, 16th June, in company with P.s. Dean, he examined the brakes and hooter of the damaged lorry which had been removed to the Tanyard. Both the front and rear brakes were inefficient; the front brake when pulled back had no effect on the brake, and when the foot brake was pressed down it went easily on the casting.

On Wednesday, 21st July, in company with the defendant and Sergeant Dean, he again inspected the loory. The rear wheel was jacked up, and although the hand brake was pulled on the wheel turned easily. He asked the driver for an explanation, and he replied that a new band had been recently put on the hand brake, and that both brakes were in order.

Cross-examined by Mr Reginald Hartley, solicitor, of Royston, who represented defendant, the constable stated that he had had little experience with motor cars. He did not examine the brakes on the day of the accident. The brake guide was not disconnected when he first examined the lorry.

P.c. Gillett stated that he was present when the lorry was examined by the last witness. He tested the brakes, and neither of them had any control over the amchine. The foot brake required taking up.

Cross-examined by Mr Hartley, the constable said the front part of the lorry was badly damaged.

Alfred Hale Hedges, motor engineer, of Buntingford, gave evidence of inspecting the damaged lorry at the Tanyard. The foot brake pedal went down on top of the transmission case casting without gripping the bands. The brake required taking up. The hand brake lever could be pulled right back, and judging from his experience the two brakes had no control over the car.

Cross-examined by Mr Hartley, witness said he had had 22 years' experience with motors. Since the war he had done a lot of work on Ford cars. The Ferodo lining might last two weeks or perhaps six months, it all depended on the quality. The brakes were intact when he examined the lorry. The brake guides would have no effect on the breaking.

In reply to the Chairman, witness said in his opinion the accident to the front part of the lorry had no effect upon the brakes.

Cecil Charles, the driver, stated that the brakes had been re-lined in June. He had used both brakes just before the accident, and they were efficient.

Herbert Crowe, motor engineer, of Stevenage, who stated that he had had nine years' experience with motors, said he examined the damaged lorry on Thursday, 19th August. The hand brake was holding on the off-side rear wheel but not on the near side. 

When he replaced the brake rod in the brake guide he found that the brake operated on both wheels. The front of the lorry was badly damaged, and he thought that the collision threw the brakes out of the guide. It was not possible to test the foot brake as the engine could not be started.

Mr Frank Charles, the owner of the car, gave evidence of driving the vehicle on the day previous to the accident, and said the car stood on a hill although it was loaded with 50 trusses of straw.

Alfred Baker, of Ware, gave evidence of witnessing the accident, and stated that the defendant was travelling slowly at the time and would not require brakes to pull up.

The Bench retired, and on their return, the chairman said they had given the case very careful consideration, and had come to the conclusion that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction.

It was somewhat unfortunate that the condition of the lorry was not examined on the day of the accident by an expert.

30th July 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis (Chairman), The Hon. Baron Dimsdale, Capt. H.H. Williams, H.C. Marshall and Claud Fraser, Esqs.

Congratulations to the Chairman

A very pleasing and well-deserved tribute was paid to the Chairman before the business of the Court commenced. The Hon. Baron Dimsdale moved that thhe Bench take that opportunity of according hearty congratulations to their Chairman on the well-earned distinction conferred upon him by their Sovreign Lord the King.

They then ably referred in the meritorious terms to the splendid service Sir Charles had done for the county, not only on that Bench, but in many other branches of unpaid work. It was a credit to them that their Chairman had been marked out for this honur.

Mr G.H. Gisby, the Senior Joint Clerk to the Magistrates, said on behalf of the clerical staff, he should like to associate himself with the congratulations of the Chairman. All agreed it was a well deserved honour. He had been connected with that Court for upwards of half-a-century, and had had experience of many Chairmen of that Bench, and in no case had the dignity of the Bench been kept up, and justice better administered than during the Chairmanship of Sir Charles.

He could not call to mind an honour received in the county with more unanimity and goodwill. The interests of Sir Charles covered a wide ground. He then alluded to the good work the Chairman had done in Ecclesiastical and Educational matters, and the responsible duties he discharged in such a distinguished manner in the Boer War, and again in the recent war.

In county matters, it was an advantage to have the counsel and assistance of Sir Charles acting in the public interest. It was to men of this stamp they had to look in the future to further the welfare and honour of country.

Supt. Wright, on behalf of the Chief Constables and the police of the division, said they were all proud that an honour had been bestowed on the Chairman.

Mr H.C. Marshall seconded the motion, proposed by Baron Dimsdale, and it was carried with great cordiality.

Sir Charles, on thanking them for their warm expressions of appreciation of the efforts he had made on behalf of the county, said what he valued most were the tributes of goodwill he had received from old friends and associates. He had done very little; others had done infinitely more, and to their good work he owed the honour that had been conferred upon him.

He remembered well Mr Gisby's father, who was clerk of that Bench, and he then spoke highly of the wise counsel they had received from their clerk, enabling the business of the Court to be conducted so satisfactorily. He thanked them again for their kind expressions - it was these that made the honour so valuable to him.

There were no cases before the Court, and the only business transacted related mostly to licensing.

A full transfer was granted of the licence of "The Bell" Inn, Cottered (owners Messrs. Christine and Co) from Alice Clements to George William Alder.

The Buntingford Horticultural Show is fixed for next Thursday. This led to two applications to which Supt. Wright offered no objections. Mr William Warner, of "The Bull" Public House, was allowed an extension of hours on the day from 2.30 to 6 p.m., and an occasional licence was granted to Mr J. Holmes, of "The George" Hotel, who will have a refreshment tent on the show ground.

Structural alterations at "The Crown" Inn. Mr L.J. Gomme, architect for Messrs. Christie & Co., produced plans for the addition of a new tea and dining room to the premises of "The Crown" Inn, of which Mr Mannox is the licensee. The Bench examined the plan and granted the application.