POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 163, 11 July 1921, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M.) BTtUNKENNESS. AValter John Wood (45), Thomas' Edward Tattersail (57), and Charles Reid (34), all of whom were second offenders within the time limit of six months, were fined 40/ apiece, in default three days' imprisonment. Five first offenders were dealt with by fine. WANTED TO GET BACK. Francis Burk (58) had found it a hard world when he was , discharged from gaol a fortnight ago, and last night he : called at the police station with a re- . quest to get back to Mount Eden. He stated that he was without meana or friends, and that he had a bad leg which needed medical treatment. He stated that he realised he would have a better j chance of recovery in the gaol infirmary, where he could get food and shelter as well as medical attention. The police hearkened to his plea, and took him in custody on a vagrancy charge. When he j came before the Magistrate, Burk admitted that he looked forward to getting to jraol, and he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. WHACKED BY A WALKING STICK. That he had hit another man over the head with a walking-stick when they met in Dominion Road a fortnight ago was admitted by Frederick Gostling (47) who was charged with assault of Wm. Reavey. But Oostling (Mr. Dickson) declared that the stick was used in selfdefence. Evidence was to the effect that both men had' lived at the same apart- 1 ment house, and some disagreement had ! arisen over a complaint by the land-1 lady respecting house refuse, each con- J sidering the other had carried tales to i the landlady. Gostlinrr left the house, i and sometime later he was walkin™ i along Dominion Road when Reavey saw ; him and went up to him. Roavey said ] he reproached the other man, and told him he would hit him if he waa worth it, whereupon he was struck thrice on the head with a walking-stick. Gostling ! declared that Reavey used insulting i words and struck at him, and the stick j was used only in self-defence. A boy and a lady spectator stated that they did not see any threatening behaviour on Reavev's part. Medical evidence was put in to show that Gostling was a neurasthenic. Hi« Worship stated that no words justified an assault, and the independent witnesses did not support the story that I Rfiavev struck first. Accused would be fined £10 and 40/ oo=ts, half the fine to go to the complainant. YOUTHFXJX BURGLARS. Two Trmtlis. Charles Xorris (16) and Herbert R. Crawford (17), admitted havingr broken into five houses In the Xewmarket. Epsom and Ponsonbv districts, and having stolen small articles, such as electric torches and safety razors and some small chance in cash. Crawford had been detected and arrested by Constable Smith at Ponsonbv, and when lie was taken in hand by Detective McHn<rh his mate, Xorris, was located at the Salvation Army hoted. the Metropole. Tlipy j stated that they had come from Wellington, where they broke into several private nousos after running away from home. They came on to Auckland with the intention of sietting work, or of doin<r house burglaries if they could not obtain work. The lads were committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence.