POLICE COURT.

YESTERDAY. (Before Mr WardeU, S.M.) A Factories Prosecution.—Robert Far rell was prosecuted by Mr H. Ferguson, Inspector of Factories, on two cliarges of not keeping a record book of overtime and not keeping an account showing th.» earnings per week of each person employed in the factory. Mr Brookfield, for the defendant, pleaded guilty. His Worship imposed a fine of 40/ and costs on the first count, and 20/ and costs on the second. THIS DAY. ,it'i'ore Mr WardeU, S.M.) Maintenance. —Joseph Allen Clark was ordered to pay 10/ per week towards the support of his children in the Industrial School. Violation of Prohibition Order.—Hugh Given pleaded guilty to a charge of having whisky in his possession during the currency of a prohibition order. His Worship said these orders must be respected, and Given was accordingly sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment.

The By-laws.—Four carters, Patrick Doolan. Harold Barker, David RobertSon, and John Colledge, were each fined 10/ and costs for leaving horses and vehicles unattended in various parts of the town. For allowing their horses to wander at large, Charles TTraydon was discharged on payment of costs, and Arthur Leonard was fined 10/ and costs.

An Opium Prosecution.—The case was continued against the Chinaman Ah Tan, who was charged with being found in the possession of opium in a form suitable for smoking on the 21st October. Mr Reed, who defended, said there was no doubt that these Chinese were divided into two factions, and that there was very strong feeling between them. Ah Tan, a Hobson-street laundryman, denied that the girl Florence Lip Guey had been in his shop on the 21st October, as had been alleged in the course of the evidence for the prosecution. He had never given the girl any parcel or opium to deliver to Ah Kew. Witness had nothing to do with the supply of opium. Evidence was also given by Ah Quong, who said that the girl had not come to the shop on the day in question, and Aγ Tan was at work in witness' company from three pjn. till six p.m. To Mr Mays witness said he had not told Ghan another Chinaman, that he knew notmng about the case. Ah Kee, who was working in Ah Tan's laundry on the 21st, stated that Florence Lip Guey was not in the shop at that date. (Proceeding.)