POLICE COURT.-This day.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3383, 31 May 1881, Page 3

POLICE COURT.-This day.

(Before U. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Elizabeth Spiers, for a third offence, was committed fir seven day*. VAGRANCY. A nut! Swift, a well-known persoiuge, was charged with having no visible means, etc.

Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. CAUGHT 13Y A RAT-TRAP. Henry K. Slade and Sidney Wardlc were charged with stealing a rat-trap, value 2s Gil, from the down-street Industrial School. The evidence showed that tlie boys, in going about the grounds of the school, observed the rat-trap aud stole it. They were not inmates of the school. His Worship gave the boys a caution, and allowed them to be discharged. HEARTLESS KOBDKUV. John Edwards, who has been frequently convicted of felony, was charged with stealing a shirt, value 10s, tlie property of Julia Kelly, on the 23rd March. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Miss Kelly deposed that the article was suspended with other things on the clotheslines in the garden, but was subsequently missed, The prisoner had no right to it. To prisoner : I did not see you take the shirt.

Michael Burke, general dealer, of Lomestreet, deposed to purchasing the shirt for Is. It was quite wet; he hung it before tho fire to dry. Win. Bcal deposed to lefusing to purchas

Prisoner, who bore a very bad character, was sentenced to six months1 imprisonment with hard labour.

BREACH OF PUnLIC WORKS ACT.

John Taylor was charged under the Public Works Act with counselling John Haslett to run a ballast engine on the Auckland and Kaipam Railway, between Mount Albert and Newmarket, contrary to the provisions of the Act; John Haslett wns charged, with runuing the said ballast engine, etc.

The ca?e of Haslett was first called ; whereupon Mr Tolo asked why the case of Taylor was not first taken, that being lint on i he list.

Mr Urookfield, Jan., appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Tole for defendants. James Leech, statiou-ma<ter, observed the engine, but did not kuow by whose antborioy it whs run.

John Brett deposed to seeing the said engine come into Newmarket on the 20th of April; it was driven by John Haslett, aud accompanied by Mr Taylor. Cross-examined by Mr Tolo : Richard

'obinson, acting-guard, gave similar evidence. Did not know where the train came rom.

Mr Macdoiiald, District Manager of the Railway, deposed that Haslett bad no authority to run the engine in to Newmarket.

Mr Tolo contended that Mr Macdonald really knew nothing of the case, beyond the fact that he gave no authority to defendant to run the engine. Mr Macdouald : The lime was half-past ten, a.m., ; the engine was permitted to run on certain portions, but not on the main lino, excepting once on a Saturday. His Worship said he could not convict on the evidence, and must dismiss the case, without costs. The case against John Taylor was withdrawn, CHARGE OK WIFE liEATINCJ. Henry McGinn of Franklin road, was charged with iM-treating his wife, Mary Ann McGinn, on the 24th inst. Mr E. Cooper for complainant. Prisoner pleaded not guilty.

Mr Cooper said this was not the lirst time that prisoner bad been guilty of assaulting hi* wife, as witnesses could prove.

Prisoner : What do you say ?

Mr Cooper : You will have your turn presently. Mary" Ann McGinn deposed that her husband came home that evening about 6 o'clock; he went into the yard, and on returning into the house he commenced to box her ears ; aud then knocked her down, kicked her, and knelt upon her chest; she was afraid to be in tho house with him.

To prisoner : I did uot get drunk at Freeman's Bay ; did not attempt to drown myself. Had stayed at a friend's house ; wa3 in bodily fear and dared not go home. She was compelled to seek the protection of the Court. Won't live with you. Will support the child myself. You have a clean home.

To His Worship: Had her husband up twice before, and forgave him. The last time lie Dearly killed her.

Mary Ann Lockwood, a neighbour, gave evidence of tlie ill-treatment to which complainant was continuously subjected. To prisoner : Had never seen Jones or any other man about the house.

William Morris knew the parties, but could not speak from personal knowledge as to prisoner's treatment of his wife.

Prisoner said he had a host of witnesses ; bnt as they did not appear he asked for an adjournment until Friday. He said |Mr Graham, a gentleman af reputation, was in Court, and would speak to his character.

His Worship : Would yon like to give your version of the matter?

Prisoner : Oh! certainly, of course I should. He was then sworn.

His Worship : What is your name aud occupation ?

Piismer : Your Worship, I'm Henry McGinn, a respectable member of society, nnd a lover of peace ; as to my occupation, its anything ; I can fell a tree, and drive the best team of horse* in New Zealand tie then endeavoured to shew that his wife was the aggressor, and provoked him to strike her.

His Worship said that this was not the first nor the second time that prisoner had been brought up for beating his wife, and it was clear that she was entitled to protection. For the assault he must pay 5s and costs, amounting to £3 8<?, or in default one month's imprisonment. He must al«o find sureties, himself in £20 and one or two sureties to the same amount, to keep the peace for six months. ALARMING. G. 11. Leaning was charged with assaulting John Higinbottom by calling him a " little scoundrel " on the 25th inst. Defendant pleaded not guilty. John Higinbottom deposed that he was well known as a commission agent. He collected for defendant, and on the day in question defendant appeared angry, and called him a " little scoundrel." As it was B'iid in the public street, ho considered in honor bound to vindicate his character from the vile misrepresentation.

The Court refused to entertain the case and entered n dismissal.

This was all the business,