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\qr \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid22634 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634 [1972] 18 FLR 129}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8593446 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8593446\charrsid11621718 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid22634 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid22634 SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982 JAN BARKAT ALI
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982 v
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10760925 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982\charrsid76982 REGINAM}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982\charrsid10760925 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid76982 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14886111 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111\charrsid14886111 App}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 ellate Jurisdiction
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4732567 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 Criminal law \endash  judgment- whether magistrate\rquote 
s judgment sufficient to comply with section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 14) \endash no necess}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11621718 it}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 
y to state reasons for acceptance or rejection of evidence of any particular witness \endash  Minor Offences Act 1971, ss.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4732567  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 
2, 4- Penal Code (Cap. 11) s.98 (b).
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111\charrsid4732567 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4732567 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 Criminal law-evidence and proof- whether offence proved to have taken place in a \'93public place\'94
- court entitled to use general information and knowledge of common affairs- inquiry office at police at police station-Minor Offences Act, 1971, ss.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4732567  }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 2,}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4732567  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 4 \endash  Penal Code (Cap. 11) s. 98(b) \endash }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5461627 P}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 enal Code (Cap. 8 -19550 s. 4:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid76982 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111\charrsid4732567 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 A magistrate is not obliged to give reasons in his judgment for his acceptance or rejection of the evidence of any particular witness, and so long as the evidence to which he has referred and whic
h he accepts is sufficient to establish the ingredients of the offence, there has been no failure to comply with the requirements of section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
\par 
\par A court is fully entitled to take notice of the fact that the inquiry office o
f a police station, to common knowledge, is of its very nature a place to which the public have recourse for aid or assistance and to which they are permitted to have access, and thus is within the definition of \'93public place\'94}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  in section 2 of the Minor Offences Act 1971.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14886111 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 
\par Cases referred to:
\par 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Hiralal Prasad v The Police }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Fiji Cr. Ap. No. 23 of 1956 \endash  (unreported).
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Clarke v Edinburgh Tramways }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid670454 Co}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 . }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 [1919] S.C. (H.L.) 35.
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Powell v Streatham Manor Nursing Home}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  [1935] A.C. 243; 152 L.T. 563
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Ng Pui Fong v R}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid670454 . Hong Kong}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid7625685 Cr. App}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  No. 354 of 1963 (unreported)
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Shiu Charan v The Police}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  (1955) 4 F.L.R. 165
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Clift v Long }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 [1961] Crim. L.R. 121
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Melsor v The Police }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 [1967] N.Z.L.R. 437
\par 
\par Appeal against conviction and sentence in the Magistrate\rquote s Court for the offence of being drunk and disorderly in a private place.
\par 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid4732567 K.C. }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Ramrakha }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 for the appellant.
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid4732567 C. }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 Trafford-Walker}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  for the respondent.
\par 
\par The facts sufficiently appear from the judgement.
\par 
\par 24}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\super\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid7625685 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685  August 1972
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685\charrsid16526583 GRANT J.:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13072400 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7625685 This is an appeal against the conviction of the appellant on the 29th day}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209  of June 1972 of being drunk and disorderly in the inquiry office of Central Police Station contrary to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
Section 4 of the Minor Offences Act, 1971, and against the sentence impose}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 d, the grounds of appeal being:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid670454 -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209\charrsid13072400 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
1. The learned trial Magistrate erred in not complying with the mandatory provisions of section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 2. The verdict is unreasonable, and cannot be supported having regard to the whole of the evidence.

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 3. The prosecution failed to prove that the "inquiry office" was a public place within the mean}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 ing of the Minor Offences Act.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 4. The sentence is harsh, and excessive having regard to all the circumstances of this case.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid670454 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209\charrsid13072400 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13072400 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 With regard to Ground 1, counsel for the appellant referred the Court to }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid15754209 Hiralal Prasad v. The Police Fiji}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  Crim. App. No. 23 of 1956 which held that a judgment which said no more than "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12399664 I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  believe the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12399664 I}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  do not believ
e the evidence of the accused" did not comply with the provisions of Section 157 (now Section 154) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Under the provisions of that section the Magistrate should record the point or points for determination, the decision thereo
n
 and the reasons for the decision, and in the case of a conviction the offence of which and the law under which the accused person is convicted. Clearly the judgment described in Criminal Appeal No. 23 of 1956 falls far short of this, but in my view the j
u
dgment herein complies with the necessary requirements. The trial Magistrate records the points for determination in the first paragraph, then sets out the evidence including that on which the prosecution relied to establish the points for determination, 
gives his decision thereon in the final paragraph specifying (partially by reference to the first paragraph) the offence of which and the law under which the accuse}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 d is convicted and in the penul}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 timate paragraph gives the reasons for his decision, namely th
at having reviewed the evidence he accepts that of the prosecution witnesses and rejects that of the accused. No more is necessary. A magistrate is not obliged to give reasons for his acceptance or rejection of the evidence of any particular witness and s
o
 long as the evidence to which he has referred and which he accepts is sufficient to establish the ingredients of the offence there has been no failure to comply with the statutory requirements of Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code. As was stated 
in }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid15754209 Clarke v. Edinburgh Tramways }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12399664 Co}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
. (1919) S.C. (H.L.) 35 per L}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12399664 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 rd Shaw cited with approval by Viscount Sankey L.C. in }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid15754209 Powell and Anor. v. Streatham Manor Nursing Home}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  (1935) A.C. 243 at 250 "When}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12399664 a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 judge }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15754209 
hears and sees witness and makes a conclusion }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12194285 
or inference with regards to what is the weight on balance of their evidence, that judgement is entitled to great respect, and that quite irrespective of whether the judge makes an observation with regard to credibility or not.\'94
 The same point was emphasised by Blair-Kerr J. in }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12194285 Ng Pui Fong & Ors. v. R }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12194285\charrsid12399664 Hong Kong}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12194285  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12194285 Crim. App. No. 354 of 1963 where he said \'93In making his findings of fact, a magistrate is not required to write }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1061623 what amounts to a series of character studies of the witnesses who have testified befor
e him. If he chooses to give reasons, such reasons when taken in conjunction with the written record of the evidence may enhance the value of the magistrate\rquote s }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6304297 
judgement. But it frequently happens that it is the general impression which a witness gives to the magistrate which convinces him that the witness is truthful or otherwise. It may be quite impossible to put it into words. }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10760925 \'85.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6304297  True, magistrates have to give reasons for their decisions, but this does not mean, whenever there is a \lquote head-on collision\rquote  as 
regards the evidence of two witnesses, one of whom is undoubtedly }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5337752 telling the truth and the other is undoubtedly lying, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 and}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  neither of the two witnesses shifts his grounds or contradicts}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271  himself,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  but the magistrate nevertheless is convinced beyond reasona}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 ble doubt}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  that one man is telling the truth }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 and the other is lying, that the magistr}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 ate's findings must necessarily be discounted because he is }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 unable to }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 express by way of a detailed character sketch his reasons f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 or saying}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  he }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 believes A and disbelieves B.\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  In the circumstances of thi
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 s case it}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  would have been preferable for the trial Magistrate to have st}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 ated}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  his rejection of the evidence of the accused was limited to so m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271 uch of }{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6180271\charrsid13902048 his}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048  evidence as conflicted with the evi}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048 dence }{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 of the prosecution}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048  witnesses }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 
on the salient issues and did not extend to previous events on }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048 which the }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 
accused's evidence was unchallenged, but it is quite clear th}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048 at this is what the Magistrate }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 
intended. In all other respects his jud}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048 gment}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048  unobjectionable.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5337752\charrsid16526583 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13902048 {\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 As to Ground 2, the trial Magistrate was perfectl}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid13902048 y entitled on the evidence to reach the }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 conclusions that he did, the testimony of }{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid13902048 pro}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048 secution witnesses which he accepted as true being ample to}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15875478  sustain a}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13902048  finding of guilt.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13072400 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5337752\charrsid16526583 
\par }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860 With regard to Ground 3, "public place" for the purpose of this }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid12131860 offence is }{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860 statutorily defined by Section 2 of the Minor Offences Act,}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid12131860  1971,}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4732567  }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid12131860 as}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860 
 meaning, inter alia, any place or building of public resort to }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid12131860 which for }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860 
the time being the public are permitted to have access. Certainl}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13902048\charrsid12131860 y no one}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  went into the witness box t
o state specifically that the inqu}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 iry}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  of}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 fice of}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  a police station falls within that definition, but had they d}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 one}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 so it}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  would not have affected the position as it is a conclusion whi}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 ch has}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13315297  to}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  be arrived at by the Court and not by a witness. Counsel for the}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860  appellant}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  relied on the decision in }{
\i\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860 Shiu Charan v. The Police }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7367925 [1955]}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid4732567  4 F}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid4732567 LR 165}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  which held that on a charge of Official Corruption contrary t}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 o Section}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  91(b) (now Section 98(b) ) of the Penal Code it must be strictl}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 y proved}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  that the person corrupted is in the public service. However i}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 t is clear}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  that the decision is confined to its particular facts and is not}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860  of general application.}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  In that case the evidence was that the accused }{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 handed a }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860 bribe to a police constable, but there was no evidence before t}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 he}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 Court nor}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  any statutory definition from which the Court could con}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid12131860 clude that a}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12131860  police}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13315297\charrsid3672945  }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid2959834 
constable was a person employed in the public service}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid2959834 .}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2959834  }{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid2959834 Section}{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid2959834  4 of the Penal Code then in force defined a person employed in}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12009063\charrsid2959834  the public }{\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12131860\charrsid2959834 service as meaning a person falling within one or other of twelve particular categories}{
\fs24\cf17\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2959834  and although, for instance, one of these categories was \'93all persons belonging to the military forces of the Colony\'94, there was no reference to persons belonging to the police force. }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 Had me}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2959834 m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 bers of the police force been specifically }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2959834 name}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
d the Court would doubtless have taken judicial notice of the fact, but as it was it was necessary for the prosecution to lead evidence in order to establish that a member of the police f
orce fell within one or other of the twelve categories, which it failed to do. In the case before me the circumstances are quite different. In the first place, there was sufficient evidence in my view, to justify a finding that the inquiry of}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2959834 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 ice of the po
lice station is a public place within the definition in that the appellant freely entered the inquiry office, went up to the counter or "inquiry desk" behind which was the station orderly who asked the appellant what he could do for him, subsequently went
 behind the Counter by rushing through swing doors and, although he was then ordered by the station sergeant to return to the other side of the counter he was not in spite of his misbehaviour, ordered to leave the inquiry office; from which it }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8593446 is}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  clear that
 he was permitted to have access to that portion of the inquiry office on the, public side of the counter. In the second place, had this evidence not been forthcoming, a Judge or Magistrate may, in arriving at his decision, use his general information and
 that knowledge of the common affairs of life which men of ordinary intelligence possess (Phipson on Evidence }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654 11th Edition para. 48) and indeed }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 may even make use }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654 of his general "local" knowled}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 ge (}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 Cliff v. Long }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 (1961) Crim.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654  L.R. 121.), although he may not act on hi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 s own private knowledge or bel}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654 ief regarding the facts of the particular case. In }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654 Melsor v. Police}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654  [1967] N.Z.L.R. 437 the president of the New Zealand Court of Appeal field that the Court was fully entitled to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 
take notice of the fact that P}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654 arliament grounds, to common knowledge, was a place which was open t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 o, a}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4853992 n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 d commonly used, by the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654 
public; and I am fully satisfied that the Court is fully entitled to take notice of the fact that that the inquiry office of a police station, to common knowledge, is of its very nature a place to which the public have }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12804654\charrsid12804654 recourse for aid or assistance and to which}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid12804654  they are permitted to have access.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583\charrsid12804654 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 As to Ground 4, while the fine imposed of $20 is by no means excessive}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 it was urged by counsel for the appellan}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4853992 t, that the conviction recorded}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
 against the appellant could prejudice his future career and that in view of the circumstances of the offence and his history a more lenient course would be justified. The previous conduct of the appellant certainly appears to be exemplar}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583 y. He is a well educated young m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
an holding a responsible position in the civil service who should be able to contribute meaningfully to the welfare of Fiji and it may well be that the adverse effect on his career of a conviction would be out of all
 proportion to the incident, which was not of a serious nature. While his behaviour does not reflect to his credit it would. appear to be out of character and to have arisen from the combined effect of his inebriated condition and his excited }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583 state at having been the victim}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
 of an assault, there being no reason to disbelieve his version of this previous incident or that it was for the legitimate purpo}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583 se of reporting it and seeking }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 immediate assistance that he proceeded to the police station where, in the event, he underwent the salutary experience of spending some hours in a cell.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 While the trial Magistrate's finding of guilt will stand and the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583  appeal}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400  is dismissed in so far as it relates thereto, the conviction and sentence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583  are quashed }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 and in substitution therefo}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583 r, having regard to the circum}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 
stances including the nature of the offence and the character of the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583  off}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid13072400 ender, the appellant is discharged absolutely. }{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634\charrsid4853992 Appeal allowed in part; appellant discharged.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid22634 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16526583 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16526583\charrsid16526583 GRANT, J.
\par }}