POLICE COURT.—This DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3240, 8 December 1880, Page 2

POLICE COURT.—This DAY.

(Before J. E. Macdonald, Esq., E.M.)

ONLY ONE,

John Grey, whose fact; was of another colour, was fined 5s and costs, for being drunk last night upon his own confession,- "'

A MAN IN A PASSION. William Donnelly was charged witli besting hie wife on the sth instant, at .New-' market, and threatening to close her existence by physical force.] QSHUV Defendant pleaded innocence.' Elizabeth Donnelly, wife of defendant, deposed that her husband came into her room at one o'clock on Sunday morning. He struck her on that day, and pulled out a knife, threatening to bury it in her breast. She was married to the defendant at the Thames on the 11th August. She was then the widow of James Chapman. Defendaut bad frequently assaulted her, and he had threatened to take her life. She feared that in some excited moment he might carry his threat into execution.

To defendant: Knew the time because Mrs Knight told her. Had destroyedtbe marriage lines by accident,% not .wilfully. The blow you gave me was more than"* fly-blow ; it filled my mouth .with .blood. You know what I was obliged to'do' with the wedding ring. Did look over your shoulder to see what womari»you™wjii' writing to. A wife had a right, to. [know. Found you were writing to my sister, and slandering me. Did catch you by the tail of the coat. ' v

Defendant made a long defence, in which he stated that his wife was contiswdtyj abusing him, and calling him all both *>t names. He was in employment, ami in receipt of good wages, which he bad btl';« in the habit of regularly dropping iutu liis wife's lap, but which" was like; pouring water into aeeive, and to his surprise he wa? over head and ears in debt. Ihis was moift than any fellow could stand. , : « \»M/n I His Worship : Do the police know any*.' thing of these people t ■ ;Mr Pardy: No, your Worship; they, are lately from the Thames. .. "*■ ■ '< Defendant: There is not a policeman ill New Zealand that knows me. .','■ S?

His Worship : That is certainly to yijnr credit. After' reviewing the evidence he thought Mrs Donnelly was not greailyi in fear of her husband, as she ventured toJ. pry into his secrets; and on one ©cbasion pulled his whiskers. The husband promised not to repeat bis conduct, and the wife consenting to beS more loving in future, the case was dismissed. STRANGE SCENB nf COURT. James McEwen, of the North Shore, Wascharged with striking Margaret Lindsay and threatening to take her life, on the 2nd instant. Mr Dufaur appeared for complainant. Mr McEwen here • flew into a violent passion, stopped Mr Dufaur from speaking, and put himself in a fighting attitude. His Worship said if defendant did not' desist from his furious conduct he must order his arrest. : Here defendant assumed a defiant position, and rushed about the Court like a madman, knocked over the solicitor's stool, and struck at a constable. The utmostConfusion . prevailed, nntil Mr McEwen was lugged to the lock-up. by three officers. Subsequently the defendant was brought in a prisoner,, and placed in] the; doofc,:. ia i His Worship: What are you? = Prisoner: A blacksmith. His Worship •: You appear to be a respectable man, but your : conduct was 1 most disgraceful. 1 Prisoner: Ohj yes. I'm a highly respectable man.; that's right enough, Your Worship. lam sorry. Mr McEwen then resumed his position of defendant, and wished for au adjournment! in order that he might have his witnesses present, and his solicitor, Mr Theo. Cooper. Mis Worship said he saw no reason for refusing the request. ■ - /« Mr Dufaur said that Mrs Lindsay was m fear of defendant, and she should have some protection. The case was finally adjourned for a week, defendant being bound over in his own recognizance in £25, to keep the peace. RATE CASES. Twelve cases of rate defaulters were on the list, eleven of which were settled out of Court. Mayor and Council v. Joseph Howard j claim £7 3s 9d, special rate. ■ ■' ■ Mr Philips, Town Clerk, conducted, and Mr Eller, collector, proved the claim. , Judgment for plaintiff; costs, 7s. This was all the business.