POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 6

POLICE COURT.

before Mr. E. C. Cutfcen, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. "She came down from the gumlields only yesterday," stated Senior-Sergeant Rutledge. introducing Margaret Wilkie (07), who admitted having been drunk last night, this being her third offence' within six months. She was fined 10/.' Alexander Campbell (50). for a second 1 offence, was also fined 10/. I MISCELLANEOUS. Vincent A. McCardle, a taxi-driver,: for ignoring the signal of a traffic con- \ stable, was fined 10/, and 7/ costs. Harold Gallot (29). a packer, employed by Rawlinson and Ifwerson, on a charge that between January Ist and March 15th he stole five oilskin overcoats (value £7), the property of hia employ-! ers, was remanded till Friday. Edward Donnelly (45), charged that on March 7th he stole £47 from the person of G. E. Andrews, was further remanded for a week. (Before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.) PILFERING CARGO. In the further hearing of the charge against William Brndshaw, a waterside worker, of cargo broaching on tbe s.s. Westralia, James Lepley gave evidence that he was working in the same hold with the accused, and had handled a broken case. He had not seen the accused near the case, and thought it was hardly probable that the accused could have broken it open without being seen.

To the magistrate he explained that he knew the case had been not only broken, bu£ pillaged. He did not, however, consider it to be his business to watch and report everything.

Evidence as to the good character borne by Bradshaw was given by George Wood (president of the union), Henry Morrow (foreman for the Union Company), and George Davis (waterside worker).

The magistrate, reviewing the case,! said that the accused man had in his possession five pairs of socks of the same brand as those in the case -which was found to be broken when it was unshipped in Auckland. He had sought to show that he had procured these socks in town, but the defence in this respect had failed. The probability of such socks being purchasable in shops in Queen Street was very small. The accused man's account of where he got the socks was very unsatisfactory. His possession of so many pairs of socks, considering -liis position, was ground for suspicion. The case against the defendant was overwhelming, and he would be convicted.

The Chief Detective stated that nothing previously had been known against the accused. He had known Bradshaw for a long time, and had been surprised to find him in court.

,Mr. Moody urged consideration by the Court of Bradsbaw's previous good character. In view of his Worship's decision his character and his means of livelihood bad been lost. Counsel submitted that, in the circumstances, the case could be met by a fine. The fact that tbe accused had a bank account (worth about £200) —this had been referred to in evidence—should not be taken to mean that he had arrived at this position by dishonest means.

His Worship agreed with the last suggestion, but would not agree that the case wag one to be met by a fine. -> The accused was a single man, and would bear the position himself. It would not be just to impose any other penalty than a term of imprisonment. Accused would be sentenced .to ' one month's imprisonment, wi.b hard labour. THEFTS EN ROUTE. David Charles Jones and Charles Kcatley pleaded guilty to charges of having stolen tobacco from the Northern Company's steamer Taniwha. Mr. Lundon appeared for Jones and Mr. Quartlcy for Kcatley. They were each lined £3, with 25/4 costs to Jones, and 18/ to Keatley. MISCELLANEOUS. A warrant -was ordered for the arrest of Louisa Tierney, who failed to appear in answer to a charge of having used obscene language. » ■■ Ernest McDowell, when summoned •** show cause why he should not contribute towards tbe support of bi s son at the jlWeraroa Training Farm pleaded illhealth and lack of work, and was remanded for a month. i Edward John Ryan, convicted of d'ts- ; orderly conduct in a hotel, and of refusing to leave the premises when ordered to do so, was ordered to pay £1 15/6 costs. For allowing horses to wander at Devonport, William George K. Marshall and Charles Edward 0. Smith were convicted and ordered to pay 17/6 costs. A Hindu named Dhana Gosai was similarly treated for hawking goods without a license. Minnie O'Connor was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of vagrancy, she having elected to be tried by jury. The charge against her had been previously heard, but the case was remanded to enable her list of previous convictions to be substantiated in view of her previous disagreement with it as an accurate record.