PETONE POLICE

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 14, 17 January 1908, Page 8

PETONE POLICE

Several cases were heard in the Petone Polico Court this morning, before Messrs. J. W. M'Ewan, and R. W. Short, Justice*. James Robertson, a labourer on the Teclamation woiks, was charged with seriously assaulting a fellow-labourer, named M'CargiU. The informant's face bore evidence of the assault. The accused, who pleaded guilty, pleaded provocation. He I expressed himself sony for his action, which he said arose from drunkenness. The Bench fined the accused £3 or, in default, seven days' imprisonment. William Silbrey, was fined ss, or to I \undergo ten hours' imprisonment for drunkenness. Patrick M'Gill was brought forward on a charge of committing a grossly indecent act in tho main street in front of the Central Hotel. The accused pleaded not guilty, but after hearing the evidence of Constables Forward and Murphy, the Bench imposed a fine of £3, or, in default, ten days' imprisonment. No time was allowed in which to pay the fine. A charge of disorderly behaviour, was next preferred against Harry M'Gill. Constable Cox stated that the accused, upon hearing of his brother's arrest had gone to the Police station, and initiated a disturbance. Taking into consideration the fact that the accused had previous convictions against him, tho Bench fined him £5, Avith. the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment.

Failure,- to maintain, their father was tho nature of a charge brought againsb three brothers, George, William, awl Joseph Hancock, before Mr. Riddell, S.M. Evidence was given by tho complainant, Joseph Hancock, tho father, who was represented by Mr. Hindmarsh. For somo years tho father had lived with his oldest son at Palmerston 'North, but had since come down to Wellington, where he was now selling p.ipeis for a living. Ten shillings a week maintPiianuo was all thaU he asked. He could claim nn old-age pension in a- jVar's time-. Jvjch of the defendants gave evidence, according to which they wore quite willing to find a home for their father ar, l'i'lmerstou. All wero married, and had families to keep, the (jlde&fc son having nine children. They objected to giving him money, as he might spend it in c'Tink. Mr. Riddell said it was a matter thnt might easily have been arranged tunong themselves. An order was mado against each son to contribute 2s a week towards tho maintenance of their father. The motorman of car 27, from the Government Station to Ncwtown, this afternoon, applied his brakes with conunendoLio smartness, and so avoided a collision with a large motorcar. Tho car was bowling merrily along Lambton-quay, jnd turning .sharply crosW in front of the electric car into Brandon-street , with only a few inches to spaie. Pedestrians who wituessed the incident appeared to be greatly hiirprlsed to hee the autotwu iftte Br.aadon.-jLtrest wjiolo. ,