POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2376, 31 October 1877, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before A. Beetham (chairman), and P. Comiskey, Esqs., Justices of the Peace.)

AN UNFORTUNATE CASE.

Annie Bauworth, a young woman, aged 24, was again brought up on a charge of being drunk, and pleaded guilty. Mr Tyler said he knew the young person at the Thames, where she had resided with her aunt, but who had <_one South, andfleft her in unfortunate circumstances. She had also met with an accident at the Tararn

wharf. The young woman wept bitterly, and said she had been working in Auckland, and if the Bench would liberate her, she

would keep sober. Mr Beetham said the object of the Bench was to reform individuals, if possible, rather than punish them. Sub-Inspector Pardy said he did not wish to press the charge, although this was tho second offence. The prisoner was then discharged. THE WAITER'S TROUSBRS. James Lee was charged with stealing Arthur Smith's trousers, value 14a, on the 23rd inst. Mr Tyler appeared for prisoner, and pleaded not guilty. Arthur Smith deposed that he had been in the service of prisoner, who had recently kept the Palace Dining Rooms, but who was _old up on Monday last. He gave the prisoner the trousers to ge washed for him, and he neve? returned them. He had several times Jseen the grousers on him, but did not like to say anything, as Lee was a terrible man to anything to do with, especially when i n liquor. Ho was going away yesterday by the Taupo, with his trousers on, and be gave him into custody for stealing them. Cross-examined by Mr Tyler, who stated that he -was instructed that prosecutor had given Mm the trousers, and then wanted them back again.

To the Bench : Prisoner owes m_ £20, wages, for which I am suing him. Did not care particularly for the trousers, but would not like to lose the wages. Some remarks on the relationship which had existed between the parties followed, when the Bench, coasidering it a case which should never have been brought into Court, discharged the prisoner. CORN AND CHAFF. Edward Breunan, on remand, was again brought up on four charges, of stealing horse-feed, the property of Mr W. H. Hoffman, from the 26th to the 29th of the present month. Mr Tyler appeared in prisoner's favour, and stated that the prisoner, who was a very old. fman, had never before committed any such offence, and he hoped the Bench, in consideration of the surrounding circumstances, would mete out as light a punishment as possible. Sub-Inspector Pardy said the prisoner, who held the stables near the Markethouse, had been in the habit of taking the feed from Mr Hoffman's hoise, and he had been detected in the act, which had been frequently repeated Tiie Beach said on looking at the consecutive dates of the charges, it would appear to be a systematic robbery. Mr Hoffman said he was not desirous of having the old man puui.hed, although by his conduct he had punished his horse, in depriving Mm uf his daily feed. The Bench said that in consideration of prisoner's i years, his past good character, and Mr Hoffman's disposition in favour of prisoner's release, the punishment wouldjbe light, viz., one week's imprisonment without hard labour. A COLONIAL YOUTH. John Thomas Shanaghan was charged with a breach of the Masters' and Apprentices' Act, 18G5, by wilfully absenting himself -without leave fiom the service of bis master, John Trenwith, bootmaker, on the 29th instant.

Mr Brock appeared for complainant, and said that, the lad had frequently absented himself from his master's premises—at least twelve times. Still he was not anxious to punish him, if he would amend his ways, aud be a dutiful lad ; perhaps, a word or two from the Bench would be salutary. Mr Beetham told the boy that he must remember that he was now an apprentice, and could not be permitted to play truant like a school-boy. ' He hoped he would think of this, and also bear in mind that if brought up again on a similar charge, he would render himself liable to three months' iaiprisonment. He would be discharged on payment of costs. This was all the business.