POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2332, 6 September 1877, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before W. J. Hurst, Esq. (Mayor), and C. C. McMillan, Esq. J.P.)

COMPANIONS IN SOLITUDE. Two old companions, Tom ar.d John, were found Near Epsom villlago in a sleep profound. John Coombes and Thomas Reilly of Epsom, Jeremiah Palmer of Ponsonby and or Dedwood, and John Connor of Paruell, were brought up for drunkenness, and pleaded guilty. They were subjected to fine or imprisonment.

A GRAVE CHARGE. Paddington Villa, where the Graces meet. An ivy-mantled, beautii'ul retreat. Valentine Baquet and Theodore Francis were charged under the Vagrant Act with being the occupiers of a house in Greystreet, known as Paddington Villa, frequented by reputed thieves and persons having no visible lawful means of employment. Mr Tyler appeared for the prisoners and said that the charge against them had been made in consequence of complaints by the residents as ro the conduct of the house. He had seen Inspector Thomson, who was willing that the charge should be withdrawn, as the prisoners had determined to leave Auckland for San Francisco, as soon as they could dispose of their furniture. , .

His Worship said lie thought this was a question for the Bench to settle. Mr Tyler apologised for any apparent want of courtesy on his part. His Worship accepted the apology, but would like to hear something of the charge. Sub-Inspector Pardy said that he had in his hand a petition' against the bouse, signed by a number of inhabitants, but if prisoners could promise, through Mr Tyler, to leave the colony, the police had no desire to press the charge. The petition was as follows : —" lo J. I>. Thomson, Esq., Inspector of the Armed Constabulary : Sir,—We, the undersigned residents and owners of property in Greystreet, desire to bring under your notice a house of bad repute, designated, " Paddington Villa," which causes us much annoyance, deteriorates our property, and is prejudicial to the morals of our children. Our pence at night is constantly disturbed, and our privacy invaded by nocturnal visitors in quest of the den complained of. We shall feel very grateful if you can do anything to rid us of this moral pest, so that our street may regain its name for respectability and quietness."—Yours, obediently,

Mr Tyler said be would distinctly promise that the prisoners should leave the colony, if not by the next boat, by the following one. The prisoners professed not to understand English, and his Worship spoke to them in French, but as it was in the dialect of their province, the prisoners could not comprehend his Worship. Mr Cunningham interpreted, and elicited from Madame and Monsieur, the promise that they would leave Paddington Villa as soon as possible, and go by the mail steamer, they were quite tired of this city. His Worship sad the Bench would accept the suggestion of the police, but not on the <TOund°of deterioration of property they regarded the charge rather as an offence against the community. The charges were withdrawn. Isabella McDonald then made her appearance on having no visible means of living.

The defendant, a young person, very gaily dressed, burst into laughter, and treated the affair as a joke. ( . .. Defendant was an inmate of the ' villa, and was defended by Mr Tyler, who pleaded not guilty. Miss McDonald had a regular income of 30s a week paid to her by a person. ' Sdb-Inspector Pardy said if the young girl would leave the "villa" at once, he thought as the principals had been discharged, it would hot be fair to press ior a conviction against the unfortunate girl, who was their victim.

Miss McDonald looked at the Bench with a peculiar, and almost irresistible smile, and .shook her feathers in a manuer which would require the pen of a Trollope to describe. She whisperod •■certainly," and was immediately discharged. '■ A poor old lady with a poet's name. ... Whose works will be of less enduring fame. JANE GOLDSMITH. Tiiis person, shoeless, and clothed in

tatters and rags, was brought into court, charged with being found senseless, and in a wretched condition last night. The old woman pleaded " whiskey, whiskey," and was ordered to pay 10s and coste, but as she was tokenless, slie was ordered to prison for 4S hours. WRECKED ON LIFE'S OCEAN. A friendless man found 'ncath the windy trees, With pockets empty, without bread and cheese. William Noyes, a miserable looking young man, was charged under the vagrant Act. with having no visible means, etc. Sub-Inspector Pardy asked for a remand in this case, as the prisoner appeared ,o be a person of weak intellect. Remanded until Monday. This was all the business.