POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 7

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. J. \V. Povnton. S.M.) BUDDA COMES ASHORE. Bindda Wiirsonia, as dark an Indian as could he seen, came ashore from tlip steamer Trekieve yesterday, and, sad to say, Budda got drunk on tl«> drink which is not native to his abstemious country. He gave no troubles when arrested, and this morning Hashed a perfect row of white teeth when he smiled at the Magistrate and pleaded guilty to having been drunk and having been absent from hi* ship without leave. "The second charge naturally follows on the first—he couldn't return to the veesel when he was in the lockup." observed the Magistrate. Budda was convicted and ordered to be placed on board his ship by the police. BROKE PROBATION. Maxwell Steele Ramsay, a young man who spoke in cultured accents, pave as his excuse for getting drunk that he was at a picnic yesterday and was persuaded to take more than he should have. Such occasions were the only ones on which he would have a drink. He was sure he would lose his job over this, by jove! The Probation Officer said that Ramsay had been convicted of forgery and uttering and released on license. He was further convicted of having broken his prohibition order shortly after having been released from the Inebriate institution at Rotoroa Island.

Sergt. Rowell: And he was convicted of drunkenness in December last. No action was taken against him for breach of probation then. "Yesterday—the picnic—was a special occasion," urged accused. "If we let you go, you will be getting drunk again next weeTc. That's my opinion," remarked the magistrate. "One month!" STOLEN TROUSERS. .Tames Kelly, an elderly man. pleaded guilty to theft. It was stated that he lirst tried to steal a pair of boots hanging up in front of a shop, and failing to detach them went along and got away with a pair of trousers, which he was wrapping up in paper in a churchyard when arrested. "He's been at this before, and has several convictions," remarked the Chief Detective. "He's a regular nuisance, and I would suggest reformative detention." Kelly was sent to gaol for three mouths. ROW IN A LIFT. Percy James Silver pleaded guilty to having assaulted Thomas Hastie. but said it was only a slight affair, and that he did not actually strike the other man. "Hastie is the lift man at Security Buildings, and a cripple—a man with a wooden leg." said Sergeant Rowell. The accused was drunk and a companion was three-parts drunk. He had an argument with the driver of the lift, and it is alleged that he struck him. Defendant: No; the lift attendant will admit that 1 did not actually strike him. I Silver was fined £2. i BEGGAR FROM SCOTLAND. A young man who looked quite robust enough to work, and who spoke with a thick burr, was charged with having begged alms in the street, which he denied. I Thus said an Indian witness: "I go down Queen Street 1 sec that man. He say, 'You give mc money!' I say I have no money! He say. 'Why you no give mc money?' I say, 'There plenty work — you get some.' Then he call mc bad words." Accused denied having begged money, and said that he had merely asked for a match. But Constable Allen told a different tale. He said that he was informed that a man was begging at John Court's corner yesterday afternoon, and on going along he saw the accused accost several people, one of whom gave him a push. He then approached the Indian, whom he appeared to be bully- ! ing. When he saw the constable he ran ' away, but was caught after he had gone j about twenty yards. When searched at the police station he was found to be I possessed of £1 12/6 —all in small ! change. I "Church money!" observed his VTor-' 1 ship. The constable added that Adams made : the admission that lie had asked the I Indian for 3d. and Detective Barling said ] that he heard the man say at the police station that he asked people for money ; "just to make acquaintances." j "An unpopular way of making acquaintances, I'm afraid," said the Magistrate. I How long have you been out from Scotland. Adams? | Adams: Three months. I Magistrate: Well, youv'e made a i lovely start—you can go to gaol for a ! month.