POLICE COURT—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 75, 7 April 1885, Page 2

POLICE COURT—This Day.

(Before His Worship the Mayor and C. D, Irvine, Ksq., Justice.)

Drunkexnkss.—Four persons woro punished for this olFonoo.

"Sweat 'km." — Richard Hartshorn was charged with a breach of the Gaining and Lotteries Act, by playing a game with dice, known as " Sweat' era," at Eilorelie Racecourse, on the Oth inst-Priaonor ploadod guilty.—Dotootive 'IVohey deposed to tho offence. He caw prisoner ac lively engagod with a table and dice. A crowd was gathered around him. Prißtraer was an adeptin turning tho game in his favour. I'int A £5 and coats. — Frederick Laurence was charged with a similar offence. Mr Campbell, in defonce, pleaded not guilty.— Detective Twohey deposed to seeing prisoner playing, and produced the box, dice, and table. Thegamo waatfcreo to one in prisoner's favour : observed silver coins on the table, had previously cautioned priboner and others. To Mr Campbell: Arrested him, and charged him with playing an unlawful game; prisoner had half-a-dozen scouts about; when ho approached the table, prisoner snatched the dice; he managed to get the box; was not skilled in the game. A number of watches were found upon tho prisoner. — Dotoctivo Hughes gave a mlnuto description o£ tho game. The diceman was bound to win-every game, unless ho chose to give a figure to his dupe.— To Mr Campbell: Perfectly understood "tho game from official practice.—Mr Campbell addressed the Bencb. ehowing that tho arreßt of prisoner in an open field was an unwarrantable proceeding.—Sergeant Pratt replied at some length to show that tho arrest was justifiable. —Mr Campbell urged that the case must fail as no monoy was seen passing at tho time. —The Bench held that the detective Bhould have been armed with a warrant, and dismissed tho case. — George Smith was oharged with a like offence.—Sergeant Pratt asked that this charge might bo laid under the Polico Offences Aot—Mr Campboll pleaded Dot guilty, and applied for an adjournment, as he was not prepared to (50 on with it.—Romanded until Friday. Bail, self £10, and one surety in £10, — William Hayward was charged with tho same offence undor tho Gaming and Lotteries' Act—Prisoner pleaded guilty, but asked for tho leniency o£ the Court. He was quite a novice in the art, and lost money.—His Worship: Then it was really a game of "sweat 'cm" with you.— It was indeed, Your Worship.—This being prisoner's first offenco, ho was fined 20a and costs.

Larceny.—George Head pleaded not guilty to stealing brushes, conbn, &0.,305, the property of John Walker, florid, Auckland Market, but as there was no appearance of prosecutor, prisoner was c ischarged. Violent assaults.—Matthew Thornton and John Hays worecharged with damaginga door. ■is (id. the properly of Thomas fllcQuoi, restaurant keeper, on tha Ith inst., aleo with assualting Mary and Tbotnaa McQuol. by striking them. Mr Napier appeared for Hays. Thomas Quoi, deposed lhat ho resided in Rokeby-streel. On Sunday morning, atone o'clock, the two prisoners Knocked at the door os his house--Went to sco who was thero. The prisoners were close together, and the bior man said he wanted a friend, lold him thore was no one there. They were very noißy, and one of the men struck him in the face, and the ottaor kicked Mrs Quoi on the knee. Tho damage to the door was 3s Gd. After annoying him for somo time tho men cleared. Ho went out and gave tho men in charge—To Mr Napier: He could swear to the men. It was moonlight. Shook a Maori club at prisoners. Had no doubt as to prisoner's identity; besides he was an Irishman, just liko the tall prisoner. Mary Quoi gave her ovidenco in 11 vory cloar manner. She wag atrue'e by the tall Prisoner, and kicked by tho shortest. Julia Wilson deposed to hearing a woman screaming in Kokeby-streot. She ran out and saw two men. Mrs Qnoi said she had been assaulted as described. Could not identify the prisoners as tho men. — Mr Nupicr called evidence in defence, showing thnt Mr Quoi had made a mistake. It was impossible for an Asiatic to recognise one European from another. —Tho following woro examined to show that Hays was in bed at tho Seamen's Union at tho time of tho alleged assault:—John Hays, Robert Aohcson, John Hraham. Tom Bennett, Patrick McGowan, and James |Black.—Toe Bench dismlßsed the case.