POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2951, 29 September 1879, Page 3

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., E.M_) DRUNKENNESS. Two men were lined 5s and two 10s and costs for this offence. MARY OK MILL LANE. Mary Collins, alias "Kildaro Polly," was found iv a state of merriment in Highstreet on Saturday last. The old lady pleaded "whiskey." She hud imbibed freely, and fancied she could do the Kildare waltz, but she unfortunately fell. Constable McLellan did not consider the case a bad one. Mrs Collins was a little merry. Fined 10s and costs. OARKLESS PARENTS. Catheriue Jones, on warrant, was charged with neglecting to contribute towards the support of her children iv the Industrial Home according to an order of the Court. Arrears, £7 10s.

Sub-Inspector Pardy said her money was in tlie hands of Mr Macffnrlane, and she could not pay. His Worship said inquiries had been made, and she had no claim upou the money referred to. A distress warrant to issue forthwith. A SIMILAR CASE.

Edward Lysaght, on warrant, was called upon to answer a similar oflence, arrears 1.10 3s.

Captain Mowbray saidhe would guarauteo 7s 6d a week out of Lysaght's wages while in his employ, to which prisoner consented. The oiler was accepted. "RICH AND BABE."

William Charles O'Mcara, on remand, was agaiu brought up on a charge of breaking and entering the public Museum at Christchurch aud stealing therefrom, on the 4th instant, 84 imitation gems, the property of the troviucial Government, also with receiving six imitation gems an the 22nd inst., knowing them to have been stolen.

Sub-Inspector Pardy said the police had made every inquiry, but failed to get any additional evideuce. He must ask, therefore, that the prisoner be discharged, although the case was one of strong suspicion.

Prisoner : I have been locked up a week, your Worship, cannot 1 have some redress ? Mr Pardy said the police would take all responsibility.

: But the gems, am I to bo deprived of them also'_ The Court simply discharged the prisoner, und left the disposition of the gems, rich and rare, to the police. LAKCKNY AS A IIAILEE.

Graham Sowerby was charged with larceny as a bailee of tho sum of £9 15s, the property of George Currie, ou the 15th lust.

Mr Edward Cooper for the prisoner. Sub-Inspector Pardy explained the particulars of the case. George Currie deposed that he was a passenger by the ship Irouside from England, which arrived ou the 10th August.

Prisoner was also a passenger, and lodged at the Governor Browne Hotel. Ho received £19 in gold from the captain, an amount which he held for him. He subsequently went to lodge at tbo hotel, aud occupied the same room as the prisoner did. Prisoner kuew he had money, aud that he intended to leave with the landlord, as his trunk had not come, aud lie bad no safe place to put it. Prisoner, when he heard of witness's

intention, produced a cash box, aud said you can put the money in here aud it will be quite safe. He put 15 sovereigns in and prisoner locked the box.

Two days after his portmanteau came up from the ship, and he asked Sowerby for the gold. He replied, "All right, old fellow,"but did not haudoutthe money. He asked him several times during the next throe days, but without success. Met him in the Thistle Hotel, when he give him ±2 ; afterwards he gave him __3 ss, making £S ss, Two other passengers came one night into the room and pressed him for money. He found that he could get no money from prisoner, and at last he said he was going to "do a bill with Mr Hall." Ho took up the cash box, shook it, aud the lid fell off. The box was empty. Words ensued, aud he

threatened to put the matter iv the hands of the police. Cross-examined by Mr Cooper : Did not know prisoner's age. 11 c led the passengers to believe that he was it member of the English aristocracy. He had the appearance ot a gentleman. Had been drinking a little with prisoner on that evening, but had about two glasses of beer. AVas not " fresh," in the sense in which the term is generally understood. AVas not intoxicated.

A "LARK."

Wm. Wilson was charged with taking a silver watch aud scarf-pin, value £6, from

tlie table of au hotel, the property of Henry Dixou, ou the 26th inst.

Mr Ilesketh watched the case for the prisoner. Sub-Inspector Pardy stated the 'simple facts of the case, and although prisoner was seen to take the articles from the hotel, he shortly replaced them, meaning it only as a " lark." The prosecutor, however, a total stranger, did uot see it in the light, but viewed it as a " dark " affair, and in the meantime laid the information. Mr Hesketh addressed the Court, and as prosecutor did not press the charge, the case was dismissed, His Worship remarking that prisoner had acted very foolishly, aud hoped he would not attempt such a dangerous farce in future. Prisoner bowed, and left the Court with his friends.

The evidence of several witnesses were conflicting, and not sufhcientlj satisfactory for a conviction. The case was therefore

dismissed,