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Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 2

At the Police Court this morning Mr J, E. Lundon asked the presiding Magistrate, Mr H. W. Brabant, that James Mitchell, an elderly man, who was on remand on a charge of indecently assaulting a girl at Ballarat, Victoria, be granted smaller bail and a reduction in the number of sureties. Mr London explained that accused had no friends in Auckland and he could not get bail. He was a settler at Tuakau and had a farm there. He was brought up at Baliarat some 14 months ago on the same charge, found not guilty, and was discharged. Accused had live stock on his farm and wanted to settle up his affairs and make, arrangements about, his proproperty. Sergeant Clarke said the police were carrying out the. instructions of the Victorian police, and an officer was now on his way,to Auckland with the necessary papers to take accused to Ballarat. Mr Brabant) said tnat to grant the request tie would have to reverse two decisions of a brother Magistrate, Mr Wardell. He could not see how it could be done. Eventually on the application of Sergeant Clarke, Mitchell was remanded till Thursday next, Mr Lundon in the meantime to submit bail through the Clerk of the Court to Mr Wardell.