POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 5

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before Dr. Giles, R.M.)

Drdnkenness. — Ono first offender was lined 5s and costs, or 24 hours in default.—* John William Bible and Alexander Bruce were each lined 10s and costs, or 48 hours in default.

Desertion. —James Bailey was charged with having deserted from if. M.s. Nelson. He pleaded guilty.—Sorgt.-MajorPratt obtained a remand for 8 days in order to ail'ord time for the police to communicate with th'o authorities.

Failing to Provide.—George JE was charged with having refuaedto provide for the support of his illegitimate child, of whom Jessie McLeod was the mother.—Mr YV. J. Napier appeared for the defendants, and pleaded not guilty.—Mr Humphreys appeared for tho complainant, and briefly stated the facts of tho case.—Jessie McLeod deposed that she wasa general servant, at present out of employment. The defendant was the father of her child. The defendant subsequently gave her £1 10s. In April she took out a summon? against him, and he gave her £5 in agreement that she would have nothing further to do with him. She had been paying 7s per week for the support of the child. —By Mr Napier: She also gob £5 from Mr McGeary for the expenses of accouchmenb. That included the £1 10s already mentioned.— Mr Humphreys then called the defendant, bub Mr Napier objected. The question was argued for some few minutes. —His Worship said that it was competent for the defendant togiveevidence. —Mr Napier contended that although competent, he was not compellablo. lie should advise his client not to give evidence.—His Worship decided to adjourn the case until next Wednesday, in order that he might consider the case, and also to afford opportunity for counsel to cite authorities.