POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 249, 17 October 1908, Page 4

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. S, W, Bywr, S.M,) YESTERDAY.' AJLUSOED ROBBERY. Two young men, Charles James Menkes and William Kennedy, were accused with having robbed an elderly man named John Laird McColl at Newmarket on October 7 of about £7 in money and hie watch and chain. Sergeant Hendry conducted for the prosecution, and Mr, Hackett appeared for Menzies. According to the testimony of complainant, he came to town with some money, fell into the company of-'the accused men while drinking, and woke up to discover himself divested of his money and watch. He declared, moreover, that he had a distinct recollection of having felt Menzies searching his pockets. The accused pleaded not guilty, and after standing stolidly in the dock during the evidence of the other side, were committed for trial. THIS DAT. (Before Mr C. C. Kettle, 8.M.) KBMAHBEB Detectives MacMahon and Cox arrested a young man named Robert Neil yesterday afternoon, on a charge of break? ing and entering the dwelling of Joseph Barlow, in Harding-street on Wednesday last, and stealing a number of trinkets and other articles, to the value of about £2. This morning Nejl was rer manded until Friday next. A PARTNERSHIP AFFAIR. A tall, fair young Austrian, Frank Covtanovich by name, appeared on remand from Wellington this morning , , charged with having committed a theft of £500 in money, the property of one Marin Kumrich. Dr Bamford, who appeared for the accused, asked for a vemand, as the case was rather complicated, and he had not had time to gq through the papers with the man since his arrival from Wellington. Mr Russell, for the informant, made no objection, explaining that the case against the accused was one of absconding from here with partnership funds. The two men were apparently in a gun dealing business at Dargaville, Covtanor vich's part of the business being to buy gum on the fields, and also to make periodic visits to Auckland for the purpose of selling it. The allegation is that from one of these visits he failed to return, but proceeded on to Wellington with certain proceeds, and was there arrested. Accused was remanded till Friday next, bail being fixed at two sureties, each of £100, or one of £200. A NIGHT AIHOBE. Walter Cain, a seaman engaged on a ship in port, came ashore last evening, and, after visiting sundry refreshment saloons, adjourned in a boisterous humour, to a supper saloon, and annoyed the keepers of the establishment by hie aggressive noisiness. But a rennonstTance from, one M&te Bobanac had no other effect than to provoke a a blow from the jovial-minded man of the sea—a blow that bruised his cheekbone, set the blood flowing freely from his nose, and spread him lengthwise on the floor, moreover. The seaman then gave utterance to a shonti of conscious victory, rushed into the street, and metaphorically "hauling off" made night hideous with his challenges to all and sundry, and especially, and in most shocking terms, invited the victim of hie first blow to "come on!" Just then a constable came on, and Cain, without morp ado. was escorted to the police station. This morning he was fined a total of £4 and costs for his ebullition. "I would suggest to hotelkeepers that they exercise great care as to whom they serve with battles of beer and spirits when closing time arrives. These men can drink till 10 o'clock in the bars, and then take away enough liquor to keep up the carnival far into the night," commented Mr Kettle. A NEW PROVISION. This morning, a young girl of little more than sixteen years was committed by Mr. Kettle to St. Mary's Rescue Home, Otahuhu, the first committal of the kind made under the new Police Offences Act, which empowers a magistrate to commit to a home fora period not less than twelve months nor ex- ■ ceeding two years. Previously the Bench ; could only send a girl or woman to such a home under promise to remain for an agreed term, the consequence being that abscondings were frequent from reform and charitable institutions by malcontents and recalcitrants. In the present. instance, Miss Hudson, lady superior of the Home, expressed willingness to re-. ceive the girl, who was described by : Sergeant Hendry as a pitiful example of j a man's betrayal and desertion. "PLANTING" LINOLEUM. Arthur Ganerton, a man in the vicinity of 30 years, was passing a second-hand shop in Karaugahape-ruad yesterday,. and in doing so paused at the doorway, where in a recess were several rolls of! linoleum. Then he was seen to pick one I up and carry it along the street until he came to a garden, in which he "'planted" the floorcloth, preparatory to removing it further afield. But before the abduction was complete a policeman entered into the general schenie, and this morning Ganerton pleaded guilty, with the qualifying plea that he was not in the clear possession of his senses at the time, for he had no remembrance of tjie affair at all. , He was remanded till Wednesday for the report of the Probation Officer. ANOTHER OWNER WANTED. Robert McCullough made another appearance this morning, this time accused of having misappropriated six sacks belonging to someone unknown. Sergeant Hendry explained that McCullough, when arrested yesterday, had made a 'similar statement to his former assertions—that an unknown milkman had left the sacks for him on the roadside. McCullough, in indignant and excited tones, protested at the injustice of being arrested on charges that could not be proved, and defied anyone to go into the box and say he had stolen the sacks. He objected also to a remand, but promised finally to turn up again on Wednesday, and undergo the necessary examination. INEBRIATE. John Erwin was remanded for a medical report, while Thomas McMurray, who had already appeared twice before in the period, was given another chance for his family's sake. Annie Sergeant was more grieved even than the Magistrate that this misfortune had come upon her, but she assured his Worship that it was all due to a broken heart. Her poo* husband departed life nine years ago, and the blow was one from which she had never recovered. And, moreover, i»ere i ■he punished, the punishment would real- : Ijr fail ugon her unoffending family, and ;

b»ck to her afljng S «S of her immediate release. So ehe^S remanded until Monday. * COMMITTED FOB T»t^ The young man, Reginald William Sat flft having S.T. bttle pi w October » with :m£s & commit rape, was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, accused pleading guilty and reserving hi. defeneeT* -