POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 260, 9 November 1897, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

YESTERDAY.

(Before Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M.)

Alleged Theft. — The charge against Edward Barrett, William Rhodes, and Arthur McKeown, charged with stealing a dozen shirts from Mr Alfred Moore's shop, in Karangahape Road, was continued after we went to press. —A boy named Thomas Mazzolini said he was with the constable when some one came down the lane to where the box of shirts was. He could not say whether it was Rhodes and did not think it was.—His Worship said there was no prima facie case against Barrett, and the latter was therefore discharged.—Evidence was then heard for the defence. —Barrett denied that either he or the accused McKeown went down the lane. —The latter also denied taking the shirts or seeing any stolen. — Rhodes denied ever having seen the other two accused, or having been near the shop at the time of the theft. He ran away from the Constable because he thought the latter, who was in plain clothes, was a " sandbagger. :> —A boy named Morrison stated that the accused Rhodes was in his - company all the evening.—Rhodes' father and Clarkson, his employer, also gave evidence.—His Worship said with regard to McKeown the case was one of strong suspicion, but as there was some doubt as to whether McKeown was one of those who took the shirts he would give him the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the case. —With regard to Rhodes there was also a possibility of a mistake on Constable Johnston's part, and he would therefore dismiss the case.

The Licensing Act. —Frederick Chamberlain, James Hill and Alfred Grattan were charged with refusing to quit the licensed premises known as the Shakespear Hotel when requested to do so on Sunday, October 24th, their presence rendering the innkeeper liable to a penalty. Chamberlain pleaded guilty, but the other two, who were represented by Mr Clayton (Hesketh and Richmond), entered a plea of not guilty.—Mr Foley, the licensee, stated that the three came to the door and asked for a drink, which he refused to give them. Chamberlain was inside the house, but the others did not come inside the folding doors.—His Worship said there was no evidence against Hill and Grattan, and they would be discharged. In reply to a question by the Bench, Sergeant Clark admitted that there was nothing to show that the licensee would be liable to a penalty through Chamberlain's action, and that part of the information was therefore struck out. His Worship convicted Chamberlain of a breach of the Act and fined him 10s and costs.

Adjourned.—A case against Henry St. George Sloan, charged with stealing a kit of carpenter's tools, value £4 0s 9d, was adjourned till Thursday next. No Light.—For failing to have the lamps of his hackney carriage lighted after dark, Quinton James Beresford was fined 10s and costs.

Defective Chimney,—Thomas Kemp, for being the owner of premises in which a chimney accidentally caught fire, was lined Is, without costs.