POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 128, 30 May 1918, Page 4

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. F. T. Frazer, SJtt.) DRUTTKEDntESS. Nicholas Heath (46), for a second offence, was fined 10/; and Alfred Ashenden (61), for a like indulgence, was similarly fined. JUST A TECHNICAL BREACH. A breach of the Infants Protection Act was charged against Lily Beery, of Waikumete, in that, not having registered her house under the Act, she retained charge of an infant in consideration of payment. The circumstances disclosed by the evidence was that defendant had kept her sister's child while her sister was at work, and had informed an Inspector under the Act that she received money for the keep of the child, which was quite well-cared for. The child's mother also admitted to the assistant police matron that she paid 5/ a week.

Defendant denied the statements of the Inspector and the matron, explaining that what 6he said was -that she was to have received money. Her sister said she had arranged to pay 5/ a week, but had not paid it, as the defendant had declined to take the money. His Worship remarked on the conflict of evidence, which pointed to defendant . and her sister having altered their statements in fear of losing the child. Though the registration of foster homes was highly essential, the child, in this case, was perfectly well looked after, and the breach of the Act was merely technical. Defendant would be ordered to pay the costs, amounting to £4. DOWN THE STAZRS AT THE PICTURES. William Thomas Watson was charged that on May 4 he assaulted John G. Spencer. Spencer, an assistant inspector of the City Council, stated that on the evening of iMay 4 he went to the Empress Picture Theatre in the course ot his duty of seeing that there was no overcrowding. Witness looked round and found nothing to complain of, and was going downstairs to leave, when Watson, who was then the manager of the theatre, came behind him and took him by the arm. Watson seemed to be under the influence of drink, and he took witness by the arm and asked him if he were looking for trouble. Witness asked what was meant, and Watson said, "Are you looking to 6ee if anyone is sitting in the aisles?" Witness said he was, as that was hie duty. Watson replied that it was his duty to throw witness out, and made a blow at him, his hand brushing witness.' ear as he dodged. Witness over-balanced in avoiding the blow and caught hold of Watson to preserve his 'balance, with the result that both of them fell and rolled down the stairs. Corroboration of this statement respecting the preliminary remarks and the sudden clinch and fall down the stairs was given by Joseph Buckley, who was fireman at the theatre at the time, but who could not say that Watson struck at Spencer. Watson stated that he didn't strike at Spencer at all, but that after some conversation he went to pat Spencer oil the back, and the latter seemed to think he was going to be struck, drew 'back and then clutched witness, with the result that they both went down the stairs. Ills Worship remarked that the preliminary conversation testified to by the fireman and Spencer disposed of the pat-on-the-back defence. Officers in the course of their duty had to be protected from interference, and Watson would be lined £10 and 18/ costs, 20/ of tho fine to go to complainant. MIS CETJIfi.NEOTJS.

Eliza Monaghan. for using indecent language in the bar of the Grosvenor Hotel, was prohibited, and ordered to pay 23/ costs.