POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13015, 4 November 1905, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

BREACHES OF THE ELECTORAL ACTWALTER George Bbatke, a young man, defended by Mr. J. R. Reed, pleaded not guilt; at the Police Court yesterday before Mr. Kettle, S.M.. to having wilfully and knowingly made a false, statement on 0 c arm for enrolment as all elector of Auckland West Mi'. Reed told the magistrate that, his "client, who came > to-the colony about eight mouths ago, was. informed !''»«• Smith that he could bo enrolled. , The defondant signed the enrolment, form, under the impression that fix months residence m ho colonv was sufficient ■ The dcfonda it had been "careless; but could not, be held : to : have acted wilfully. ;"',-. ,-* William Smith said ho asked the defendant how long he had been iu the colony, and he told him six or seven months. Witness: afterwards got the defendant-to. ; sign? tho form, believing that the residence, quail* fication.was six months.;... ~ , * t .- j; ~'s William H. Redmond said be witnessed the defendant's claim' for enrolment. We .thought the defendant was an old resident of Ponsouby, and there was no discussion about his qualification. - .-- }-•- ' ' The Magistrate said he would accept the defendant's statement that lie did not wilfully make the false declaration, and would dismiss the information. _ -■ . Kate Skinner pleaded guilty to having attached her name as a witness to two signatures of electors without witnessing the writing of tho names. ' •'"" • The defendant stated that she saw a person fill in and sign two forms with the names of two different persons. She signed the forms while she was canvassing for Mr. Masefield. Tho latter did not pay her, and she did J not know that, she had done wrong. The magistrate at first inflicted a fine of £5, but reduced the. amount to' £1 when tin prosecutor (Mr. H. H. G. Ralfe) informed him that tho defendant was in poor circumstance.' , ',"■

THEFT OF A SADDLE AND BRIDLE. • Joseph Thomas,- a coloured man, pleaded guilty to stealing a saddle and bridle, valued at £+, the property of George Ellis. Chief-Detective Marsack, who prosecuted, stated that the complainant's house at Penrose had been destroyed by fire, and he (the complainant) had placed the" saddle aim bridle in a shed near by, and locked it. Ihe iihed was afterwards broken open by the accused, and the saddle and bridle stolen.-,:. The accused was sentenced to three months imprisonment. . : . ■

PAWNING BORROWED CLOTHES. Louie Harrv, a coloured man, pleaded guilty, before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., to illegally pawning a suit of clothes, valued at lbs, the property of Charles Juita. Chief-Detective Marsack, who prosecuted, stated that the complainant lent the accused a suit of clothes, to be- returned the next day. Instead of returning them, the accused pawued them. „ The accused was'committed to the Supreme Court for sentence-.

MISCELLANEOUS. A married woman, of respectable appearance, was charged with stealing a quantity of silk and lace, valued at 18s sd, the property of Court Brothers. On the application of Mr. J. C. Martin, who appearecLfor the accused, a remand was granted until today. - - -(> ...-; 1 John Maxwell, pleaded guilty to discharging firearms in Lee and Thames Streets, and to using bad language. Mr. J. CV Martin, who appeared for the defendant, said -Maxwell" was under the influence o fliquor, and did not remember what had happened. The defendant was fined 10s and'costs on each charge. . .'."■' ,„ - , . , n „ Walter Preston was fined 20s and costs tor driving a vehicle at other than a walking pace round the corner of Karaiigahape Load and Symonds-street.,.\ _ .-.-■- ', . . Stephen C'oppins, for leaving Ins vehicle unattended in" Pitt-street, was fined ss, and costs 7s. . - ' " .'•''.' Walter Scott Harris was fined £2, in default seven davs' imprisonment, for entering tho licensed premises of the Metropolitan Hotel during the currency of a prohibition order. . , ,'" William John Irvin was fined ss, and costs 7s, for driving a vehicle at other than a walking pace round the corner of Pitt-street and Karaiigahape Road. , William Shannon pleaded guilty to drunkenness, and to using indecent language in Karaiigahape Road, and was fined 20s and costs, in default 48 hours' imprisonment on each charge.