POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 37, 12 February 1920, Page 4

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Of a list of five first offenders, including two women, three forfeited bail and ifcwo were convicted and discharged. IN THE FIREMEN'S QUARTERS. William Hyghams (24), a fireman off the s.s. Northumberland, admitted having assaulted a junior officer on the ship yesterday by kicking him. The officer had gone to the firemen's quarters to speak to another fireman, and he was stooping down to talk to the man when Hyghams, who was standing by, kicked him on the forehead, inflicting a wound which had to be stitched. It was stated by Mr. A. Moody, who represented the ship's captain, that since the ship had arrived in port the firemen had got somewhat out of hand. Hygham9 was drunk when he kicked the officer. Accused was sentenced to seven days' hard labour. FLED INTO THE NIGHT. The man who escaped through a window when the police raided a house of ill-fame in Albert Street on Saturday night, Robert Batten (34), was caught yesterday, and came up to answer a charge of having resided on such premises. He had met the police at the door when they called, being then in deshabille, and while the other occupants of the place were being secured he got out through a window and bolted. When he met the police he had said he was living at the house, but when arrested he told a vastly different story. He said he had been invited by a friend to the house on Saturday night for a singBong, and went, not knowing the character of the place. He had had a few drinks, and didn't suspect what manner of house he was in till the police called, when he fled "on the spur of the moment." In reply to a suggestion by the sub-inspector that he fled over the roofs of houses as well as the spur of the moment, indicating the agility of a sober man, Batten remarked that a drunk man could do a good many things. His explanation was accepted, and the charge was dismissed on Batten's agreeing to take out a prohibition order. A STRANGER ON THE PREMISES Florence McAnnelly admitted having been found without reasonable and lawful excuse on the premises of tbe Royal Hotel after hours last night. The subinspector stated that the defendant had been not long out of gaol. Yesterday she had made the acquaintance of a young Maori who lodged at the hotel, and in the evening she ivas found drinking in his room, having gone there by invitation and in order to drink. She was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on, and to take out a prohibition order.

EXCESSIVE RATE OF SPEED.

A motor-mechanic, G. C. Smith, was charged with driving at an excessive rate of speed in Mount Eden Road on the 17th January, and also with passing a stationary tram car at a rate of more than four milee an hour. After hearing evidence, hia Worship imposed a fine of £5 on the first charge, and £3 on the second charge, in addition to court costs. Commenting upon the caee, his "Worship said: "A fine is not an adequate punishment for the conduct of some of you motor drivers, but it is all that is in my power to inrpoee." "It is a pity that we cannot follow the American eystem and impound the car," j remarked Sub-Inspector Wohlmann. j

"MORE THAN A JOKE." John Proctor wae charged with assaulting R. A. Wigmore, an employee of the Mount Eden Borough Council, while in the execution of his duties. Evidence stated that Wigmore was collecting the money for a dog-collar, when he saw accused leading his horse, which was standing by the footpath, up the road. He followed him, and a discussion ensued, during which be pushed Wigmore in the face. He seemed to have been drinking. His Worship said that it seemed to be the joke of a man who had been drinking. Accused would be fined 20/, and ordered to pay costs, 21/. CUT OUT OF A RACE CROWD. Cecil Ferguson, Henry Michaels, and Alfred Thos. Chappell were charged with having trespassed on the Takapuna racecourse on January 29, betng persons who were excluded as undesirables. The defendants admitted having been on the course, but Michaels contended that from a previous incident on the Ellerslie course he considered the police did not include him in the list of undesirables. Chappell pleaded ignorance of the law. It was shown in Michaels' case that, having been once ordered off he returned a couple of hours later, and was - rdered off again. His explanation was .nat he went back for a drink. Ferguson, against whom were previous convictions, was fined £5 and 9/ costs. Michaels was fined £2 and 9/ costs, and Chappell was fined £1 and 9/ costs. MISCELLANEOUS. Thomas Ryan (33), described as a man of erratic temperament, was re-: manded to appear at Pukekohe on Thursday on a charge of having stolen a hat (value 15/) at Pokeno on Saturday week.' A charge of indecent exposure against an old man, Patrick Murphy (65), was further adjourned on an agreement that be be kept meantime

in a home. For permitting horses to stray at Devonport, Catherine Bogne had to pay 17/6 costs, and H. Bond, James Bowman and Wni. Bowman each 10/ and 17/6 costs.