POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 761, 24 June 1872, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M. BBUXXXXNESS. Several drunkards were fined from five to twenty shillings for their offences, including a woman who had suffered since the year 1867 over 54 months' imprisonment for reputed offences of drunkenness. A DISORDERLY CHARACTER. Francis Hall, charged with being drunk and disorderly, was also charged with behaving in a public street — to wit, Victoria I street, with intent to provoke a breach ol the peace. Sergeant Pardy informed the Court that the prisoner created a disturbance on Saturday night because the landlord of the Greyhound Hotel refused to supply him with liquor while in a state of intoxication. The Court ordered him to pay a fine of 40s and costs, or to suffer seven days' imprisonment. LARCENY. Catherine Douglas (an old offender, having thirteen previous convictions for larceny, six for vagrancy, and a few others for drunkenness since 1866, for which offences she has passed nearly four years since that time in gaol,) was charged with stealing one pair of tights, one German silver dog collar, and a silver Albert chain, valued at £1, the property of George Mapson, Newton, between the 4th and 7th instant. The prisoner pleaded guilty, but alleged that she was slightly elevated at the time, and was not conscious of what' she was doing. Sergeant Pardy said she was a complete nuisance in the town. She was in the habit of laying her hands on any petty article she came across. The prisoner said that she had not indulged in her thievish propensities latterly. The Court sentenced her to six months imprisonment with hard labour. ANOTHER CHARGE OF DISOBEDIENCE ON _30AB__> THE HE__I__S.SI.EE. Dennis Finnegan, a seaman, was charged with wilful disobedience of the lawful commands of the captain of the ship Helenslee, now lying alongside the wharf.

The prisoner applied for an order for the attendance of two witnesses, and also asked to be allowed a solicitor. He was supplied with both, and Mr Joy attended on his behalf.

Captain Gray deposed that the accused was an able bodied seaman on board the Helenslee, and returned to the ship on Saturday, after undergoing seven days' imprisonment, and demanded some money, which was refused him. The captain then told the chief officer to order him to " turn to."

The chief officer proved that he ordered the man to turn to, when he said he was unable through sickness. A doctor then was sent for, but witness did not know what the Doctor said or prescribed for him. The second , mate gave similar evidence.

Mr Joy submitted that his client had a bad cold, and was in a low state of health, having just come out of gaol. He hoped he would meet with more consideration at the hands of the Court than he had evidently received from the officers of his ship. He then called Constable Donovan, who proved that when the man was discharged from custody he was suffering from a violent influenza cold, caught while under incarceration.

Two shipmates of the accused corroborated the constable's evidence. The case was dismissed. This finished the business,