POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 69, 22 March 1915, Page 6

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Thomas Richards (39), who had been locked up since Saturday, wai- fined 5/ for a second offence; and Annie Cooper (3G), in a similar case, was convicted and disoha,Tged; while Jno. Rigg (43), who failed to appear, was fined 20/. One first offender wae convicted and discharged; one was fined 5/; and thTBB forfeited bail. Thomas Tucker, for tire first breach of bis prohibition order (by getting drunk) was fined 20/, in default three dnys; while Mary Helen Hamilton (32), far the second breach of her order, was fined £2, or seven days' imprisonment. GOT HIS CHANCE. "I only came out of gaol a fortnight ago. and if you will give mc a ohance I'll get -right away to the country to-day," pleaded Harry Kelly (44), in admitting thait he was drunk in Alexandra Street on Saturday, and 'that he was an idle and disorderly pcieon. "Tihte man gets drunk, and goes to where his wife lives and annoys her. On one occasion he broke tlie windows of the house. She goes out working to support h«rsfllf and the family, while this big loafer goes about drinking, and has done nothing to help the family." "I'M give you a fair ohanoe," declared his Worship. "You will be prohibited, convicted -and ordered ito oome up for sentenec called on. And if you are not away to work in a day or two, you will be brought up on this charge, and I will give you the longest term I can." "AND SO FORTH.'' "He was quarrelling with another man and Iris wife in 'hi* bouse in Bedford Street at about (half-past ten on Saturday night, when the police went to see about itbe disturbance," stated Senior Sergeant Rutledge, /respecting Hemry Davis (56), charged with having used obscene language. "When he saw the police he told them he would shoot them if they came in the gaite." "1 -hope you will look over it as light a_ you tun," pleaded Davie. "I have a big family to support, and so forth," he added, naively condensing the customary forensic patiws in such case, to a sentence. Hiß Womhip appreciated the defendants commendable brevity, and accordingly fined him 20/ and 4/ oasts, with a week in which to pay. HAD A ROUGH THEE. "Her 'husband is in gaoj, and I believe she has been in 'the hceprtal with tbe d.t.'s, so that altogether she lias had a Tough time." stated Mr. W. Oracirofit Wiison, for Florence Chad wick (47). who wan charged that on Saturday she stole a ckock (value 5/6), belonging to Fay Simmons; and that on Friday _he got drunk. "I think." said Mr. Wilson, "your Wwehip will find that s3ie was in such a state that, as she rsaysl she didn't remember anything about the dock, which was found at her place." Senior Sergeant Rutledge asked that the woman be remanded for a week's medical treatment, and Mr. Wilson not d;«sejiting, the remand was granted. WANTED TO BREAK THINGS. A sergeant and constable saw Richard John Bainbridge (43), go to Cook Street, where Margaret Maher lived, said Senior Sergt. Rutledge. about half-past twelve in the early hours of Sunday morning, and get ordered away. They then saw him return to the place some minutes later, go to the centre of the road, pick up a couple of stones and deliberately throw them throneh the window of Mrs. Mahcr's house. He ran away, but was arrested at a bouse in Nelson Street. He got out on bail, and he went back again then and broke another pane of glass at Maher's. Bainbridge said he was drunk at the time, and bad since sent men round to the house to repair the windows. "He broke five panes there a month ago. and promised to pay for them, but didn't do so," interjected the SeniorSergeant. ■Bainbridge was convicted of causing the mischief, fined £2 and ordered to pay 7/6 damages. THE FIRST BLOT. 'Harold Thompson (_.). admitted that between November 33 and January 27 he stole £13 13/ belonging to the British Imperial Oil Company. Chief-Detective McMahon stated that Thompson was employed by the Oil Company, and was authorised to make cash sales and collect the money, giving receipts on special forms. Instead of using these special forms. Thompson gave other forms as receipts, and kept the money. He was getting £3 a week as wages at the time. There was nothing previously known against Thompson, who was married and had three children. Mr. A. Moody, for accused, stated that the reason for Thompson's breach oi trust was that he had got out of work owing to -he strike, and had got into debt. It was in order to get his head above water again that he had been tempted 'to take the money in this way. H e was now getting 48/ a week, and bad a wife and three children to keep, while another was expected this month. The company did not desire that he should be put in prison. Thompson was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on, and to repay the stolen money by instalments of 10/ per week. IN A NASTY MOOD. Herbert Thomas Richardson, a young man, denied that he assaulted Herbert Smith in the Street on Saturday night. The evidence was to the effect that on Saturday night Richardson called at Smith's house in Vincent Street, saying he wanted to sec him, and giving tlie name of Cox. Smith wasn't in, but came in just after Richardson had left, and, not knowing any person of the name of Cox, he walked along the street to see who was the man who gave that name. He caught up with Richardson at the intersection of Federal and Wellesley Streets and recognised him. He stated that he didn't speak at all, but that Richardson, immediately be saw him, struck him on the chin and swung a blow at a friend with him. Richardson said Smith pushed liim, and he only knocked Smith's arm away, though he admitted chasing Smith when the latter went for a constable. He explained the giving of the name of Cox by stating be was under the influence of drink at the time. Richardson was convicted, and fined 40/ and costs. A PUSH OR A PUNCH? John MeC'auley (40) was charged that on Saturday afternoon he assaulted Christopher O'Brien in a fish shop in Symonds Street. O'Brien said that McCaulcy went into the shop for fish, and when witness stated they didn't have what he wanted he started to abuse witness. Witness told j MeC'auley to go out of the shop, and leant over the counter and gave him a push ,He then went round to put McCauley

ont, and McCauley struck him, whereupon he struck back, and eventually got the customer out. Another employee at tbe shop corroborated this statement. McCauley stated that he went into the shop for some smoked schnapper, and was told they didn't have it. He told them they were like everyone else in advertising a thing they didn't have, and O'Brien leaned over the counter and struck him. Then they had a scuffle, and witness' nose was bleeding profusely when a constable came along. His Worship said that if a man went into a shop and didn't behave himself, the shopkeeper was justified in turning him out, and to strike the shopkeeper in such circumstances was to commit an assault. The evidence here showed that O'Brien leant over the counter, and gave McCauley either a push or a punch, and !a push over the counter would not be an i effective way of turning the man out. j There was not sufficient evidence of assault to justify a conviction, consequently the charge would be dismissed. MISCELLANEOUS. Carlo A. Tereolo (19). admitted having deserted from the Italian ship Eurasia, and was convicted and ordered to pay £3 costs. Albert E. Madden, for causing a horse to stand-on the footpath of Shelly Beach Road, was fined 5/ and 7/ costs. Win. Cromwell, for leaving a cart unattended in St. Mary's Road, was fined 10/ and 7/ costs.