POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1503, 4 December 1874, Page 2

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before His Worship the Mayor, and W. C.

Daldy, Esq., J.P.) A LEARNED DRUNKARD. " You shall comprehend all vagrom men."

—Shakespeare. Anthony E. Cowan, whose head was decorated witha skull-cap, which was understood to serve as a protection to sundry wounds on his cranium, and whose face was adorned with patches not at all in the fashion of the 19 oh century, pleaded guilty to a charge of being very drunk last night. He was further charged with being a rogue and vagabond, in having been previously convicted more than the allowable number of times.

Prisoner: Before I plead one way or the other I wish to ask a question of your Worships. Under what clause of the Act is this charge brought ?

The Clerk (coming to the rescue) : Under sec 5, sub-sec 2 of the Vagrant Act. Prisoner : Ah ! I thought so. Is that the New Zealand Act ?

Clerk (again to the rescue) : It is. Prisoner : Ah :

Mr Broham: He knows the Act well enough, your Worships. He has been often enough convicted under it.

Prisoner : My object in inquiring is, that I believe under that clause you cant give me more than three months (laughter). The Bench : Will you plead guilty or not guilty.

After some bother the prisoner pleaded guilty on condition that he was allowed to make a statement in mitigation of sentence. This he proceeded to do in something like the following language :— " I do not deny that I have on several occasions given way to liquor, that was my own fault, and no doubt it was a scandal to society, but in extenuation of the circumstances I wish to state that I have been trying to reform, although I have not been a very great reformer. JFor some months past I have beep living with a Venerable Archdeacon with the view of adopting a more improved condition of life," but I cannot say it has been altogether a successful attempt. Twice I have broke out, and there 'aint any use in denying it. Here's my certificate of character; and in conclusion I do hope you will temper justice with mercy." After patiently waiting till the end of the hari&gije, the Beaofe aontenosd pfiieatr te

three months hard labour. The clause allows • two yearn. ' THE WAKEFIELD-BTREBT FIRE. Jno. .Smith was charged nnder the Jnstice of the JPeace Act, section 70, that, being a witness in the case of one Kemsley, now awaiting trial for incendiarism, he was about i to leave Auckland to avoid giving evidence. Detective Grace proved that he had heard from the prisoner that he intended leaving Auckland shortly. He had also sold his Rpring cart and horse. He (witness) was firmly persuaded that prisoner intended to avoid giving evidence at the trial. Detective Jeffrey deposed that prisoner had told him that he intended going to Papakura Valley for family reasons. It was a common report about the town that Smith was going to keep out of the way. Prisoner stated that he had t'»ld the police what his intentions were. There was no secrecy about it. He was going to Papukura to work, and wa3 quite ready to give evidence when wanted.

Their Worships said they had no wish to be hard on the accused. It was likely that his statement was correct. He would be liberated on finding one surety of £50 to guarantee his appearance at the trial. MARKET REGULATIONS. Two cases of this nature were down on the cause list, but as defendants had complied with the regulations, they were allowed to be struck off. UNPAID RATKS. A respectable looking old lady appeared to answer a charge of non-payment of 20s overdue city rates. Defendant pleaded poverty. The Bench gave judgment for the plaintiffswith costs, and told defendant^ she must make the best terms she could with the city au'horitie3.

This was all the business.