POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1899, Page 2

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

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

Husband and Wife.—George^Hannig'an, a seaman, pleaded guilty to deserting' Ms wife Sarah Hannigan. Dr. Laishley appeared for the wife. The pair had been married, he said, for about two years, apparently living together happily enough, when about three mouths ago Hannigan accused his wife of unfaithfulness, and left her. Since then she had been living on charity and was quite destitute. Hannigan gave evidence in his own defence, and repeated his allegations, the truth of which his wife denied. He also produced a document purporting1 to be signed by his wife just before he left her to the effect that she would never make any claim upon her husband. Mrs Hannigan at first denied having- signed it, being unable to write; but afterwards she said her husband had held her hand while she wrote. Dr. Laishley: Supposing- the document is g-enuine, that does not bar the woman's claim. His Worship: It suggests something, though. If the, man's story is true he had reasonable grounds for deserting- her, and I can't punish him for that. Other witnesses were called whose evidence appeared to strengthen the prisoner's claim, and His Worship finally remai'ked: 'I am satisfied that this unfortunate man had ample cause for deserting his wife, and there is no law to punish him for that.' Hannigan was ordered to pay 7/ a week in support of his wife.

'They Can't Catch Me.' — A man named James Jones was charged with breaking and entering a shop occupied by Georg-e Cartor, at Kyber Pass, and stealing therefrom £6 worth of tools, the property of George Pitkethley. Chief-Detective Grace prosecuted. It was stated that the tools V.i-long-ed to one of the carpenters employed in erecting a new house; they had been left overnight in Carter's shop and were found, to be missingone morning. A witness named Robertson said the accused asked him if he wanted to buy some tools, saying 'I got them dishonestly. lam too "fly" for the detectives; they can't catch iue. I have any amount of stuff.' Auolphus Ward, second-hand dealer, deposed to buying the tools in two lots from the accused for 3/6 and B/3. He had known the accused for three years, and always found him honest. Acting-Detective Miller deposed to finding a plane in one of Jones' presets when he arrested the man. I'risorer reserved his defence, and Avas committed for trial at the Supreme Court.

Adjourned.—The case of John Heaps, charged with assaulting Robt. Waite so as to cause him actual bodily harm, was further remanded till the 10th ins=t., bail as before.

Drunkenness. —Henry James Williamson was fined 5/ or 24 hours for this offence, and a first offender was discharged with a caution. Edmund Burke was fined 20/ or one week's hard labour.