POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 36, 11 February 1920, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M.). AS MAN TO MAN. Frederick Stoncstreet admitted having used obscene language in Karangahape: Road, but it was explained by Mr. Hackett on his behalf that the language was used as man to man, to a person whom he considered had treated him shabbily, and was intended and used as| a pcrse-nal insult in a shop, and not in | a tone or manner that would enable the words to shock anyone but tho man iti was intended to shock. On side it was explained that Mr. Keesing, a jeweller, had gone to some pains to secure a house for Stonestreet, but owing, to some complaint about his occupation of the house he was compelled to give I him notice to quit. Thereupon Stone-1 street called at his shop, and aired his| opinion of Mr. Keesing in an insulting manner, and in terms which made it obscene language. The tone was such) that other persons in the shop, and even persons in the street could hear. Stonestreet was fined £5 and 25/ costs. HAWK OR PIGEONT | James Edward May (29) and Charles, Spittle. (20), who had been associated * at the Supreme Court in a charge of assault and robbery, which had sent May to eraol for six years. Spittle being acquitted, had to face a charge of vagrancy in that they had habitually consorted with thieves. On Spittle's behalf Mr. A. Moody argued that as the latter was a returned soldier in receipt of about £200 back pay, a pension, and £100 gratuity, he became a mark for the social hawks* of the city, and that they , consorted with him, not he with them. After Ppittlc bad been closely cross-ex-amined by the Chief Detective, the magistrate remarked that he was of opinion ' that Spittle was well aware of the character of his companions. May was convicted and discharged, in view of the fact that he was serving a long sentence, and Spittle was- convicted and ordered to come up for sen- ' tence when called on. MISCELLANEOUS. George Nicholson (54), a second otfen--1 der for drunkenness, was fined 10/, in default 48 hours. For various breaches of the by-lawa defendants were fined as follows:—Stanley H. Walker, Stephen Robinson, Walter Pearee, Naaai Hire, Edgar !•'. Allen. Jno. W. Michie and Ray Paton each 10/ and costs: Tlios. Gauley 11/ costs, and Allen S. Brown 9/ costs. For galloping: horses on the beach at Narrow ' Neck, John C. Sibbin and Alister McD. Brown were fined 10/ and costs apiece.