POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 120, 21 May 1917, Page 6

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M.I DRUNKENNESS. Five first offenders forfeited baiL ■Tames Smith, alias Northey (42), for a third recent offence, was prohibited and fined 20/, in default three days'. Alex ander MeO.Uum ((>•">). for getting drunk when he was prohibited, appeared much improved by a week's medical treatment, and he -was fined £2 and 17/6 medical expenses, in default seven days'. Thomas Quinn (41), up for the fourth time recently, despite the fact that he -was prohibited, stated that he had taken the drink to cure the toothache. The cure and its consequences cost the man a fine of £3, a default of seven days' being made. Lucy Mackie (38), who had a long record for drunkenness and had been caught three times within the last six months, was committed to Pakatoa Island for twelve months. IN AND OUT PERFORMANCE. Joseph McGrath (45) had accomplished a double event in the week-end, having been arrested on Saturday night, bailed on Sunday morning, and caught drunk again shortly after noon. Asked by the magistrate -where he got the liquor on Sunday, MeGrath stated that he had got a bottle of whisky for 10/ from a man in Queen Street, but he didn't know the name of the man. McOrath was fined 5/ as a first offender for -Saturday's performance, and an additional 10/ for the Sunday event, when he was classed as a second offender. AN ABERRATION. " I have never done such a thing in my life, and have no recollection of this," declared Joseph Barlow (39). an invalided returned soldier, who was charged that he had solicited alms in Commerce Street on Saturday. The evidence showed that the man had come away from the hospital annexe on Saturday, had some drinks, and had then stuck iip a youth for a penny and a couple of men for " the price of a drink," though ho had two or three shillings in his pocket at the time. The incident was regarded as a lapse due to drink, and Barlow was prohibited and ordered to be sent back to the hospital. ON THE ROCKS. Joseph Farrcll (37), who had been found sitting on a window ledge in the street at midnight last night, admitted that he was without work or means. The story he told was that he had been released from Rotoroa Island a few days ago, and could not get work, with the result that he had been sleeping out at nights wherever he could get shelter. Consequently he hud requested a policeman to lock him up so that he might get shelter. The Salvation Army adjutant offered to tßke charge of the man, and he was prohibited, convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. a condition being that he should go to the Salvation Array Home and stay there till work \..is found for him. AT THE WIFE'S EXPENSE. Harold ('.allot (31), admitted that he was drunk in Russell Street on Saturday, and that he had assaulted his wife, adding that so far as be remembered he merely pushed her and didn't hit her. Senior Sergeant xMcNeeley stated that the man went home drunk on Saturday, and with a supply of beer with him! After he had contmmed the beer he bad brought home, he started a row with his wife and struck liar. She left the house and went into the street, where one ot the neighbours went up to her to inquire the trouble. Gallot thereupon went out, called his wife a number of vile, names, threw her to the ground, and struck her down again when she arose. The woman either fainted or was knocked out by the blow. Gallot stated that he had no recollecI tion of having struck his wife or called her bad names.

The wife, who was interrogated by his Worship, put in a pica for her husband, stating that such scenes occurred only when her hueoand got drunk, and that at other times he was good to her and kept the homo going all right. She had. however, to admit that his lapses of drunkenness were not uncommon.

The magistrate remarked that were it not for the wife's plea accused would have been sentenced to six months' hard labour. As it was. the nature of the assault was such that, for the public good, the man must be severely punished. He would be prohibited, and sentenced to three months' hard labour. CUP THAT DIDN'T CHEER. In consequence of one of the patrons of the Reliance Restaurant in Grey Street having pocketed a cup and spoon after he had had a meal on Saturday evening, the man, Thomas Allan (3:i), was charged with having stolen the utensils. The evidence showed that Allen had had a meal at the restaurant, and when he. had finished the meal the waitress noticed that a cup was missing from the table and asked the man to turn out his pockets, lie pulled the cup from his pocket and the spoon fell out also. Allan, who had hail a drink or two, stated that he didn't know now the cap got there, and said he thought he must have dozed off and someone must have slipped it in his pocket. Against that, there was nobody else at the tabic when Allan started his meal, and a Maori had sat down at the table later, but he came to Court and declared that he had seen nothing of the cup until Allan produced it from bis pocket. He hadn't seen Allan put the cup tuere.

His Worship stated that ordinarily he would treat the matter as a foolish drunken freak and impose a small tine, but in view of the admitted state of tho man's health he would sentence accused to seven days' hard labour, the warrant to be endorsed stating tho disease the man was sutlering from.

& SURE REMINDER. A plea that he had no recollection of the circumstances was made by Nathaniel Mazzoleni (39). charged that on Friday he had trespassed on the premises of his wife, and molested and assaulted her, and threatened to murder her. Mr. Mathews, for the wife, who had issued the warrant for her husband's arrest, stated that Mazzoleni and his wife bad separated by consent a few weeks ago. Un Friday, however. Mazzoleni went to bis wife's house and assaulted her violently, eventually seizim* a carving knife and threatening to murder her. She held on to his arms and screamed till neighbours arrived on the scene, when the husband left. She stood in fear of her life from him, and though he was to go to camp this month, she wished protection. Mr. Hackett staed that the man had bad drink, and had seen some condurt on his wife's part which fee considered unsatisfactory. When he went to the house for some of bis property. the action of the drink and indignation at the conduct threw him into a violent fit of passion. He had enlisted and was to go into camp at the end of the week.

"The only way to deal with men who act like this is to put the fear of God into them." commented his Worship, who prohibited accused and sentenced him to two months' hard labour. "The military authorities can claim him if they want him," the Magistrate added