POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 243, 11 October 1916, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. E. C. Cutten, SJf.) DRUNKENNESS. Two first offenders were fined 5/ apiece John Reed (62) was remanded for a week's medical treatment. Andrew Jonathan Lewis (57), who had got drunk when he was prohibited, was lined 20/, in default three days. JUST LAZY. James Middlemiss (46), charged with vagranev, was stated to have beon idling about town and living with an old age pensioner in a back street, and in a I state of great filth. "I never saw a man so.bad with vermin before," stated n detective. It was found when he was arrested that, beyond his possession of undesirable little friends, he had £2 in his pockets, though he disingenuously stated thjt only sixpence of the money belonged to him. His chief trouble was stated to be laziness. "I don't ccc 'how you can get over the , matter of the money in his charge," re marked his Worship, and after the man had stated that he would look for work outside the city the charge againet him was dismissed. THE SILLY AGE. Alfred Chae. Ashton (17) admitted that at Birkenhead last month he stole a bicycle'lamp, value 8/6. It was stated that the lad took the lamp away from a bicycle left at the Foresters' Hall, Birkenhead, put it on his own 'bike, because bis own lamp had gone wrong, and rode away .with, it to his work at Birkdale. Mr. F. S. Shell stated that Ashton had •been for some time under his notice, and had conducted himself well generally. His chief trouble was that he needed supervision to keep him from doing foolish things till he got past the silly age. Ashton was admitted to probation for two years, on terms to be fixed by the Probation Officer. THE RUSH, FROM THE RACES. Just about thirty motorists who had passed through a "police trap" on the new North Road on the day of the recent Avondale -races came up on a charge of driving at a. speed dangerous to the -pi&rtfe "-The- time* : Recorded •■ by- "the policemen in plain clothes who worked the trap ranged from 24 miles to 42 miles per hour. Fines of 10/ and 7/ costs were imposed 'on Ed-ward G. Braasev, Joseph Rninmer, Jno. Redmayne; and of 20/ and; 7/ costs on Joseph McC. Wilson. Georgo Paykel, Alexr. W. Jonassen, Charles Nelson, Victor Casey, Henry Maddaford, Walter-Bayliss. Clement Ah Chee, whose speed had been up to 42 miles, was fined £2 and 7/ costs. Charges against other defendants are proceeding. HATJWTED THE DOMAIN. β-knumi Wilson wae charged that on August 18 he was'guilty of a practice calculated to offend persons in the use and enjoyment of the Domain, and that he used threatening language in a public place. William MeCabe and Robert Baird gave evidence to the effect that on the afternoon of the date in question they saw defendant in the bushes in the Do-1 main under circumstances suggesting that he was "foxing" a man and a woman who were seated among the bushes in the vicinity. When accused of that he stated that he had gone to the bushe3 for-.iuio±her ..purpose, .and. at. the same time threatened to "knock out the lights" of anyone who accused him of ToXitig." TK'nrsTivilness there were scribblinge •on the buildingw in the Domlain referring to defendant as a '"foxer," and the second witness eaid defendant was- commonly known a≤ "Tug Wilson, the foxer." Respecting the excuse given by defendant at the time, it, was stated that the pia<:e ( where he admitted being was within view of the footpath.

Defendant declined to give evidence, but made a statement that the witnesses called him offensive names, which earned him to use threatening language. He denied that he was "foxing," and in an excitable fashion stated that he was one of the "victimised men" at fche etrike, and declaimed his right to walk through the Domain if he~so desired. Remarking that the first charge wae really not answered at all by the defendant, his Worship convicted him on bot'i charges; and on the'first fined him £2 -and 11/ costs, and on the second ordered him to pay 11 costs.

'Tou -rajght as well state fche time I've to do, because I won't pay," declared defendant, and his Worship fixed a default of eeven days on the first charge, and 24 'hours on the second, whereon defendant with a defiant remark that was inaudible to the Bench, headed for the prisoners' room. • MISCELLANEOUS. For motoring after sunset without sufficient lights, Henry Brady was fined 5/ and 7/ coets. Isaac Mash, for driving on the wrong side, of Mt, Eden Road, was fined 5/ and 7/ coets. On Hang, for leaving a horse and cart standing m Wakefield Street .after .sunset without being sufficiently lit, was fined 15/ and 7/ costs.