POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 207, 6 September 1897, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

(Before Mr Thos. Hutchison, S.M.)

Drunkenness.— Joseph Winter was convicted of drunkenness, and fined ss, or in default 48 hours.

Obscene Language. — George W. Spicer was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for drunkenness, and to three months' hard labour for using obscene language, A Street Row.—Cornelius Broun was fined 20s and costs for using threatening behaviour in a public place. Alleged Breaking and Enterikq,— James Johnson and Wm. James McCauley, were charged that, on September 4th, they did break and enter the premises of Mfessrs Hoskins and Co., and steal therefrom a quantity of boot laces, 16 pairs of boots, and one odd hoot, total value £5 10s.—-On the application of Sergeant Clarke, the accused were remanded for a week. '■■■■

Maintenance.—Francis C. J. Avery was charged with failing to obey an order of the Court whereby he was ordered to pay £1 5s a week for the maintenance of ins five.children. —In this ease the stun of £110s Avas stated to be in arrears.—Accused said he had sent about £20 to his wife from time to time. He had not been earning money for the last 18 months.—His Worship said that making allowance for payments made and other circumstances £80 was still due. He sentenced accused to three months' hard labour, the warrant to be suspended so long as he paid £2 a week in payment of the arrears.—The case, J. Begbie v. John and Robert Begbie, was withdrawn, £1 Is costs to plaintiffs counsel being granted by consent.—Dr. Laishley appeared for the prosecution and Mr Burton for the defence. ■**

Alleged Assault.—Gertrude Cottmg* ham was charged that she did unlawfully assault one George Taylor.—Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.—Plaintiff said that on the 2t>th ult. defendant came to his house and asked if there was a letter for her from her husband. He declined to tell her. Being an old post-oflicer, he was always cautious about giving information about letters. Thereupon defendant attacked him, trying to hit him with a candlestick. He tries to get her off the verandah, and she then picked up stones and began throwing them at witness., — Mrs Crawley, sister-in-law of the defendant, said she saw Taylor and the defendant struggling on the verandah. Defendant had her arms round Taylor's neck, and the latter was crying out, " She's biting me." Afterwards she saw defendant rush on to the road and pick up some stones, one of which struck Taylor.— Mr Cooper : "Are you sure plaintiff s arms weren't round her neck ?" Witness : "He wouldn't do such a thing." (Laughter).—Amelia Willetts, a little girl, saw Taylor and the defendant having a "wrestle" on the verandah. Both seemed to be excited. —His Worship : Who had the best of the wrestling match ? — Witness : Oh, they both came off pretty fair. (Laughter).— A young man named Arthur Donald gave corroborative evidence. — Defendant deposed that Taylor tried to push her oft the verandah, and used an approbious epithet to her. She denied throwing any stones at all. Taylor had caught her from behind, and put his arms round her neck. —Mr Taylor at this point said that his hands were not round her neck.— If that were true she could not have bitten him as she did.—His Worship : Would you object to showing us just how you bad your arms on that occasion. The defendant won't bite you. (Laughter.)—Mr Cooper: Perhaps the constable wiU oblige. (Laughter.) — The constable, however, begged to be excused. —The defendants two sons corroborated her evidence as to the language used by plaintiff, and both denied that she threw any stones.—His Worship said the evidence was not sufficient to found a conviction of assault., and dismissed the information. —Defendant was allowed Court costs.