POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2676, 15 November 1878, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq.,. R.M.) On the Bosom of Mother Earth.— Mary Brown was picked up in a- state of unconsciousness last night. Plea, drunk.— Fined 10s, being her second offence. Crackers.—David Stirling was charged with firing crackers in honor of Guido Fawkes oa the sth inst—David, a stripling, pleaded guilty and was sorry.—Fined ssand costs.

George and James.—George Copas was charged withassaulting JamesDelaney by striking and pulling him from a dray.— Defendant pleaded not guilty.—Complainant, a drayman, was about to give evidence, when defendant said lie would plead guilty under greatt'provocation. Delaney was very insulting, and struck him first.- George Mountain was an eye-wit-ness. He stood ten yards off, and saw Mr Copas pull Delaney from the dray and punch him. He heard no words.—Delaney said he was struck heavily, and stlil felt'a pain in his throat. —Fined £3, costs 14s.

Breach of Public Works Act:—Dr. Purchas was charged on summons with committing a breach of this act, by allowing filthy matter to flow from his premises at Newton on the 11th and 12th of the present month. Dr. Purchas said he was not guilty, and asked for a remand, as he only received the summons yesterday, and bad not time to prepare his defence. Mr. Tyler appeared for the Inspector of Nuisances for the Newton district. His Worship said he thought sufficient time had not been given, and the informatiou disclosed no offence, The case was accordingly dismissed.

Breach of Building Act.—John Roth was charged by Mr Wm. Anderson, City Surveyor, with making additions to an hotel in Fort-street, on the sth September, without the consent of the City Counci.— Defendant said he was employed to make the alteration by Mr Corcoran, and he was not aware that he was doing wrong.—Mr J. 8.. Russell appeared for the Surveyor, and stated that notice had been given ; and as a mechanic, defendant was bound to know that he should have first given notice to the Engineer, and that the building should have been put up uuder his supervision.—Mr Philips, Town Clerk, proved that no notice had been given to the Council of the alteration to the Metropolitan Hotel, in terms with the Statute.—W. Anderson, City Surveyor, deposed that he knew Roth, and saw him at work putting on iron on the outside of the hotel. He told him that he had committed a breach of the Act, and that unless he at once rectified it he would be summoned. Defendant said he was in Mr Corcoran's hands; he was simply working for him. The work remains as it was. No permit had been given for that work. — Michael Corcoran, licensee of the Metropolitan Hotel, said that the alterations were necessary before he could insure the premises. Mr Shailer, who undertook the job, left and Avent to Taranaki. He met Roth, and set him on.—His Worship said the law had evidently been broken, and defendant must pay 20s, and costs £216s.—Defendant said he was a poor man, out of work, and could not pay it.—Mr Russell said he had no doubt but Mr Corcoran would pay the fine.

Wife-Beating.—Henry John Copeland, a seaman, was charged with beating his wife, and threatening ''to do" for her.— Defendant said he was not guilty,—SubInspector Pardy said the wife was obliged to leave her home in consequence of Copeland's brutality. She was young and strong, and only asked for a protection order, to be allowed to get her own living by her labour without being molested by her husband.— Ellen Copeland, a very young woman, deposed that ever since she had been married to her husband she had been subjected to the grossest treatment at his hands. She told a harrowing story of her wrongs, and was afraid that he would take her life. She had received but £2 from him for the last eight months. She had his child to support. He was continually saying he would swing for her. He was perfectly wild when in drink.—Defendant said his wife had bolted with a young man, which completely upset hisnerves.—MargaretFitzgerald, of Parnell, deposed to the rough conduct of defendant. His wife had been in situations, but her husband hindered her from keeping them. Defendant said he was of an erratic turn of. mind, and his wife was in the habit of going away from him. He was willing to keep her child, but not her, unless she would live with him.—The Court ordered defendant to find sureties to keep the peace lor three months, himself in £20, and two sureties in £10 each.

Threatening Language.—John [Lupton again appeared on a charge of usiug threatening language towards Lucy Durham, of the New North Road, on the 11th inst.—Mr Madden appeared for complainant, and Mr S. Hesketh for defendant. —Lucy Durham deposed that Mr Lupton called at her husband's house on the 11th inst.; she was getting [tea, and as defendant was slightly elevated she did not see him at the door. He used fearful language towards her, and said he would " screw her neck." Her husband and mother heard the words. Mr Lupton demanded £22 10s, which her husband owed him, and he would have satisfaction; he would either burn the house down, or " screw her neck."-—Eliza Home, mother of Mrs Durham, gave corroborative evidence.—Arthur Durham deposed that defendant came up in a passion, used threatening language, and demanded money; he referredghiin to Mr Macffarlane, trustee in bankruptcy ; he was under the protection of the Act. John Lupton gave evidence, denying generally the charge; he went for money and got abuse. He did not threaten to screw Mrs Durham's neck* Had no such intention.—Mr A. W. Gladding, grocer, saw Lupton that evening. He had been drinking. He said he had been up to Durham's on a little business, and if he had insulted Mr Home he was sorry for it. —John Thomas King heard some of the conversation between Lupton and Durham, when Mrs Durham broke out and said, " I'll dash your brains out." Lupton challenged Durham out into the road for a set-to. Not accepted. He went away. His tea was waiting. —Defendant was ordered to tind sureties to keep the peace for three months—himself in £20, and two in £10 each.