POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2969, 20 October 1879, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) WORSHIPPERS OF BACCHUS.

Eleven men and five women were charged with druukenness and fined accordingly.

LOVELY LUCY NEAL.

„Lucy Ncal,a woman of colour,was charged with unseemly conduct on Saturday evening in High-street. Lucy, who was dressed in a gay and fashiouable style, her white hat being in striking contrast with her West Indian face, pleaded that she had been taking whisky freely; she was imitating Billy Wilson and was not doing any harm.

Fined 5s and costs. ELIZA M'GINN.

This unfortunate woman was charged under the Vagrancy Ace with being an habitual drunkard and an idle and disorderly person. Eighty-one convictions for drunkenness and vagrancy were on the register against Eliza.

His Worship said that Mrs McGinn was really incorrigible. He had taken the trouble to count up her convictions, and they amounted to eighty-one. Eliza implored forgiveness, but without tears. If His Worship would let her off she would leave Auckland and take a place in Parnell. His Worship ordered prisoner to Mount Edcu for twelve months with hard labour. SAILORS ON SHORE. George Cook, John Bitton, and James Clarke, seamen on board the British ship Famenoth, were charged with disobedience of lawful commands on the 19th inst. Prisoners pleaded not guilty. Mr J. B. Russell appeared for the prosecution and stated particulars. Joseph Notrie, chief officer of the " Famenoth," deposed to being aroused by Captain Auld on Saturday night, who said that there was a row on the forecastle. He went for'ard in company with the captain and a cons-table. Cook was at the door, and on seeing witness and the captain Cook slipped back. The captain ordered the constable to arrest Cook. He did so, when the prisoner wanted to know what for.

Cook : Of course I did, and so would you !

Witness: Bilton strutted up to the captain and asked bim if he knew where he was. Clarke then walked up in an angry mood, and told the captain he was a better man than he, tbe captain. Clarke : By golly, so I am !

The captain persuaded the men to be quiet. Bilton dared the Captain to come one step nearer, or put iip with the consequences.

Arthur Dicks, second officer, corroborated the statement of the chief officer. The men disobeyed orders. William K. Auld, commander of the Famenoth, deposed to the bad conduct of the men. He put his hand upon Cook with the view of persuading him to desist, when Cook seized him by the throat. The three men disobeyed his orders, be found it necessary to send for a constable. Clarke expressed a desire to give him (the captain) a licking. Clarke : Did you not give me a bump in the mouth iirst ?

Captain: No.

Clark : You thought you would have the fir.-t hall, didn.t ye, eh ! before I could take out a summons against ye, eh ? Constablelgoe was sent for by the captain. Went on board and arrested the prisoner. Adam Brown, seaman on board, said he saw very little of what took place. He was there all the time.

To Mr Russell: Had been dringink, but was far from being drunk. The men denied that they were making a disturbance.

Mr Russell addressed a fow words to the Court.

His Worship considered the men guilty of disobedience, and Cook was the chief cause. . Cook spoke out to tho Court in an impertinent manner. His AVorship sentenced Cook to four months' imprisonment, and to pay costs £1 12s ; and Bilton and Clarke to three months, costs £1 17s each. MASTER AND APPRENTICE. Joseph McHugk was charged with a breach of the Masters and Apprentices Act, by absenting himself from the service of George McCrae, cooper, of High-street, on 13th October. Iv this case the prosecutor did not appear. UNWARRANTABLE. Michael O'Connell was charged on summons with threatening Johanna O'Connell with annihilation, iv consequence of which she went in fear of her life, on the 14th instant. Defendant denied the charge. Mr E. Cooper appeared in defence. Johanna U'Conncll, wife of defendant, deposed to the circumstances and the language used. To Mr Cooper: She was married to Michael iv Dublin. Could not remember the date. He wa* a good man once. She did not drink. Went into the Royal Mail to escape the ire of her husband. Did not pledge her earrings for drink. Should be ashamed to do such a tiling. Michael O'Connel gave evidence. He had been obliged to leave his wife, who had given way to drinking, and was the companion of disreputable persons. His Worship did not sec that the evidenco was sulhcient to call upon the husband to find sureties to keep the peace. j Case dismissed. |