POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 247, 25 October 1897, Page 8

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

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

Drunkenness.—Robert Simpson, alias Beamish, for this offence was fined os or 21 hours' hard labour. Three first offenderr. were convicted ■ and discharged.—For drunken and disorderly conduct Reynei*. Henry Magnus de la Gardie was fined 10s or 48 hours, and Margaret Wilkie was similarly dealt with, with an extra 3s for cab hire.

Obscene Language. —Henry Montgomery and Joseph alias Jeremiah O'Brien were convicted of using obscene language in a public place, and each sentenced to seven days' hard labour. Hugh Moreland, charged with being found drunk and using indecent language in Karangahape Road, was convicted and discharged. Theft.—For stealing about 20lb of zinc, value 2s, the property of* John Brown (D.S.C. Company,) a man named James Scanlon was sentenced to seven days' hard labour.

Charge, of Forgery. —Richard Henry Keast was charged with forging a letter at Onehunga purporting to be signed by Lucy Aspin for the sum of £2, and with uttering the same to Daniel Alexander-Grey, thereby obtaining the sum of £1. —Sergt. Clarke asked for a remand of seven days, as the police were not yeb prepared to go on with the case. The principal witness, Lucy Aspin, had not yet been found, but the case would he proceeded with in a week's time, whether sire were found or not. —The accused made no objection, and was remanded accordingly. Alleged Theft from the Person.—James Mahon, charged with stealing from the person of James Milne Sheppard a purse containing six one pound notes, was remanded till the 29th. Bail was allowed, accused in £'20, and one surety of £20.

The Licensing Act. — William Earl Ryan, licensee of the Rising Sun Hotel, Newton, was charged with failing to admit without any unnecessary delay Constable Walker in the execution of this duty, when the latter demanded admittance in pursnance of Section 185, of the Licensing Act, 1881.—Constable Walker said that about 12.15 a.m. on Sunday, 17th inst., he saw two men come out of the Rising Sun Hotel, and therefore knocked at tho door to make inquiries. He was kept knocking for about five minutes before he was admitted by the defendant. — Constable Douthett corroborated. — The defendant stated that he was upstairs when he heard the knocking, and at once came down. The constrble did not say who was knocking until defendant had asked twice, and the door was opened immediately defendant was told it was the police. The two men were friends of his who had been spending the evening.— His Worship held that the police had reasonable cause for asking for admittance, but the evidence seemed to show that the defendant did not know who was seeking to gain admission until he had asked. The constable in exercising his authority in this section of the Act should announce that he is a constable.—The information was dismissed.