POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 197, 18 August 1906, Page 4

POLICE COURT.

YESTERDAY. (Before Mr. E. W. Dyer. An Assault Ghargt.—Tbe bearing of the case against James Kane, who was charged with unlawfully assaulting Alexander Steward, was continued yesterday afternoon. Mr. Skelton defended, and }i_r. McGregor represented the complainant. For the defence. Mr. Skelton called the defendant, who said that troubh had first arisen between himself and his wife through Steward. Witness had no suspicions until he received an anonymous letter. Soon after he ordered the complainant out of the house, but he refused to go. While witness was away en the steamer he was employed on. the furniture was removed from" his house to Wellington-street. Witness accused Steward of it, and the complainant struck at him. but be dodged and hit Steward twice, and then char-ed him into a jeweller's shop. Several other witnesses for the defence sai. that the complainant was the ncgressor in the row between the two na. Mr. Dyer reserved his decision pending the hearing of an application by Harriet Kane for a separation order from James Kane. The complainant said she was married in Dundee 15 years ago. and they lived happily for nine years, after which her husband came to New Zealand to better himself. After the first year she heard nothing from him. She came out and ultimately they lived together in ParnelL During the first six months she alle«ed that ber husband had been addicted to drink, and had not behaved properly to her. There was no ground whatever for his suspicions. Further evidence was adjourned until Monday next THIS DAY. Drunkenness. — Two first-offenders were punished for this offence *? # 3_c_rt-h__—An old woman named Christina Larsen appeared on a charge of vagrancy, to which she pleaded not guilty. Several police officers stated that they bad seen her wandering about the streets at all hours, often with her clothing wet as if she had been sleeping in the parks. His Worship decided that the best course was to send ber to prison for six months, when she would receive proper care and treatment.

Scandalous Conduct.—A respectable looking man named Thomas Henderson was charged with wilfully damaging an umbrella belonging to Lena Pickering. It was explained that the complainant was waiting for her husband when the

accused came up in a drunken condition and asked if he could see her home. She told him to go away, but he. again spoke so she pushed hi__ off with her umbrellaHenderson seized the umbrella, tore it into pieces and then made off. Information was given to xhe police and Detec tive McCartney arrested the accused yesterday. His Worship said that it was scdfndalous conduct for respectable people to be insulted by drunken men. Ec would take into consideration the fact that this was Henderson's first offence, and would fine him £-5 and costs in addition to the value of the umbrella, 10/, the alternative being 14 days' imprisonment. Remanded.—Chief Detective Marsack secured a remand until Monday in the case of Comeiins Allen, who was charged with the theft of two watches, a silver chair, a pipe and £10 belonging to Edgar Hodgson. Mr Hackett mentioned that the accused had been in the hospital for five weeks, and was let out yesterday for the first time during that period for a waik, but, unfortunately, be was arrested. Detective Marsack said the accused was brought in about ten o'clock at night and showed signs of drinking. His Worship said that during the short time of the remand he would doubtless be well cared for by the gar.l authorities. Previously Cautioned.—Thomas Ord was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for being found by night without lawful excuse on the premises of -J. H. M. Carpenter, His "Worship rema-rkins that previous cautions had evidently been of no avail.