POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15497, 2 January 1914, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES. LIGHT PUNISHMENT, M&S88. S. J. Nathan,, P. J. Nerheny, and J. J. Jenkins. J.P.'s, occupied the Beneh at the Police Count yesterday. Misdemeanours associated with convivial festivities on New Year's Eve, were treated .lightly by the Bench. Three, first offending inebriates were/ convicted and discharged. Frank Drake, against Whom a charge of insobriety was preferred, did not appear to answer to his bail (£1), and this he was ordered to forfeit. ' Robert Taylor Woods, also charged with drunkenness, but who averred that he "was not very bad," Was ordered to pay 5s costs. John Neilson was accused of having been disorderly While drunk in Quay Street on New Year's Eve, and with having used obscene language. Evidence was given that Neilson had asked permission from a special constable to go on to the Queen's Wharf, and on being, met with a refusal he committed the offences complained of.. Accused admitted having been disorderly but denied that he had used Objectionable words. On the first charge he was fined 5s and costs, but on the second he was discharged, the Bench considering that there might have been a misunderstanding. THEFT ALLEGED. John Turner was remanded' for a week on a charge of having stolen a piano stojlvalued at £1, the property of Richard Arthur and Co. He Was allowed bail in the sum of £10. A week's remand was made in a case in which Alfred Robert Curtis was charged with having on December 26, broken and entered the shop of Herbert Rowland and stolen a portmanteau and a quantity of mercery valued at £8. "DANGER TO THE PUBLIC." " This man is an absolute danger to the publio. and is working half his time in. gaol," observed Senior-Servant Rubledgein giving a description o"! James Downey, ' Who was alleged to be an incorrigible rogue, with insufficient lawful means of support. Downey entered a plea of not guilty. The prosecution produced evidence to the effect that Downey was always loafing about the streets, and was regarded as a nuisance, especially in hotels. Constable Lamb said the accused only worked when he was in gaol. Accused's "list" showed that he had been convicted of various offences nine limes last year, and many times previously. He was sent to prison for three months. ALLEGED WIFE DESERTION. Arthur McAuley appeared on a charge of having, between October 2 and 14, 1913 : failed to provide for the maintenance of his wife at fielensville. Chief-Detective McMahon said this case wouUd prove to be one of the most degrading instances of desertion that had ever been dealt with by an Auckland Court. He asked that the" bail be made prohibitive as if granted bail on easy terms accused would make every endeavour to get away. Accused said he had made certain arrangements regarding his wife. Chief-Detective McMahcn; Yes, yon are pretty good at making arrangements when you are in a eorner. McAuley was remanded for a week, bail being allowed in a personal surety of £100, or two sureties of £50 each. The Auckland Weekly News Exhibitie*. Nuxabej is now readj;