POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1913, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M.)

DRUNKENNESS. Harry Leslie, a citizen of the United States, aged 57 years, who had the recommendation of-being a stranger to the Court, said that he had been trading in and out of Auckland since '74. He came up on charges of drunkenneefl, doing an indecent act, and using obscenr language. "I'm not accountable when 1 get drink," was Leslie's only explanation as he bowed his head to show a skull injury which he claimed was the first cause" of his trouble. The Magistrate considered that the drink a contributing cause over which Leslie had full control, and sentenced him to seven days" hard labour.

Three finst offenders were fined 5/ apiece, and William Barrett had to pay ' 10/; while Thomas Clements, whose drunkenness constituted a breach of his prohibition order, was fined £"2. John Black, who had made a fuss when he was drunk because he wae refused admittance to an hotel, was lined 10/. DUE TO DRINK. Raehacl Smith, alias Casey, an ex-pensivcly-dresfied woman of 33 years, appeared, after a week's medical treatment, on a charge of soliciting on the street. Mr. Singer, for accused, admitted the offence, and stated that ,it was the rcKult of drinking. The woman recognised that, and was willing to consent to the issue of a prohibition Order.

Accused was convicted, prohibited, and ordered to come up for sentence when called on, and to pay 17/6 for her medical treatment.

BOY AND A BICYCLE. A youth named Frederick Ginke admitted that in February, at Greenhill, near Dargaville, he etole a bicycle, value £10, the property of Wyndliam J. lluttoti.

Inspcrtor McGrath said that the accuscil. who is only IT. used to work at a quarry at Creenhill, but later got other work, and in February he went by to the men's wbare at tbe quarry and stole the bicycle. lie used the machine for riding to and from his present work, and it, value had depreciated from £15 to £3. The lad's reputation had previously been good. ,

Counsel for defendant pointed out that the la:l had for the last fortnight elected to remain in gaol rather than accept bail, because he was too ashamed to meet his former companion,'.. He was the son of very respectable people, and hud never previously been in trouble, while his present employer was prepared to keep him on. Restitution would be made to the owner of the machine.

Accused was convicted, put on probation for twelve months, and ordered that he make restitution and pay £7 10/ costs within a fortnight. ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION. William Francis Dines, who was arrested in Auckland last night by Detectives Sweeney and Scott, was"charged that at Kawhia about May 22 he stole a 4, the moneys of the Ma'rokopa Dairy Co. J

(Tuef-Detortivc McMuhon asked that accused be remanded to appear at Kavvhia next Tuesday.

Mr \V. Hackett, who appeared for accused, said that Dines was secretary of the dairy company for some time, and resigned the position a month ago, his last act being to bring the books' and £100 to Hamilton, where he banked tire money and handed the books over to the auditor. The Chief-Detective remarked that be understood that there were other charges pending. The remand was granted, and bail was fixed at two sureties of £50, or one surety of £100. MAINTENANCE. An order was made against William Koycroft for the payment of 10/ a week for the maintenance of his child. Gilbert Johnston consented to an order requiring him to pay 20/ a week for the support of his three children. An order for the payment of 15/ a week for the support of his wife was made against C-eorge F. Crocombe, who was required to lodge a security to the extent of £40 that he would comply with the order. THE SLY-GROG CHARGE. Mamie Schmidt was charjred, consequent on the conviction of Martin Gorstcd for unlawfully selling liquor in a house kept by Schmidt as a boarding house and restaurant, that she was privy, and consented, to the unlawful sale of liquor. *_

Accused said that the boarders used to bring home a supply of drink for Sunday and to treat their friends, but she was not aware that any sly-grog selling was going on.

The Magistrate, said that the case was very suspicious, but there was not sufficient evidence to justify a conviction, and the charge would be dismissed.