POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 300, 17 December 1923, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

11 m (Before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M.) TOO MANY DRINKS. Thirteen inebriates confronted the magistrate,. Richard Reid (37), a second offender, was given the option of paying £2 or doing three days. George Thaw (64), also a second offender, had the amount of his bail, 35/. estreated. Charles Lawrence McCarthy (37), who committed an indecent act while drunk, was fined £3, in default seven days. plus cab hire 3/6. Benjamin Dceley 141). a second offender, was fined £2 and costs. NOT VERY SERIOUS. Wm. Preston (37), described as a declared habitual criminal, and Patrick Joseph King (31), who were found fighting each other at Parnell on Saturday being arrested by Constable Honey were' charged with threatening behaviour Each pleaded guilty, and Preston urged the magistrate not to be too bard. It was not a serious quarrel. Senior-Sergeant Rawle said he had to admit that the affair was not very serious. Preston was fined £2 and King £1. EXCHANGE OP A RIFLE. wi2 hn r,r T ho a rifle fr oni irea. Wa Jackman, was charged with having a rifle in his possession without a permit while Jackman was charged with delivering a rifle without a permit. henior-Sergeant Rawle stated that the rifle previously registerd, had changed hands without a permit, defendants being ignorant of the law. Each was convicted and discharged. AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE. The story of an unkappy matrimonial alliance was unfolded when James PeteHemmingson (37)j a ] abourerj , eadef j guilty to a charge of assault. Seniorsergeant Rawle stated that accused came home at 6.45 o'clock on Saturday night dru , nken condition, and started to tight. Mrs. Hemmingson called a constable, who reasoned with accused and: then went away. Thereupon Hemmingson started to smash the furniture I?» struck his daughter, who had only re~ cently come out of hospital. Hemmingson struck his wife again, and the constable was recalled. Hemmingson had given much trouble on previous occasions , when, in fits of drunken temper, he had injured hi 8 wife so severely that niedicai assistance had to be called. Hemmingson, a well-spoken man stated that his married life had not been Jiappy. There had been faults on both sides. His Worship passed sentence of l-i days' imprisonment with hard labour. Application for a separation order was made by Mr. Sol. C. Clarke on behalf of the wife. Hemmingson consented to an order. Maintenance for the wife and two children was fixed at £2 5/ per week, it being stated that Hemmingson earned £4 8/ weekly. The magistrate refused to grant Hemmmgson's request for the option of a fine. The «rst payment under the order would have to be made on January 8. Hemmingson: But, si r , I shall b*e in gaol till then. How can I get the money ? Please give mc a chance. His Worship: You will have to .!■, your best to get the money somehow. A SERIOUS CHARGE. Benjamin Barker (57), a man with a heavy moustache and thin grey hair, was committed to the Supreme Court. for trial at the next criminal session. on a charge of having committed an act of indecent exposure to a female with intent to insult or offend. Barker, a music teacher, who was represented by Mr. Dickson, reserved his defence. Witnesses stated that the alleged offence took place on a vacant section at College Hill. The female concerned was a school girl of 10 years. Bail was allowed in one surety of £100, and self £100. The bond was forthcoming only on consideration that a prohibition order be issued, and this was done, accused consenting. PRISON FOR PROBATIONER. "You have brought discredit on the probation system," said the magistrate to Vincent Joseph Leatham (40), charged with a breach of his probation. It was stated that Leatham had been convicted of sly grog-sellinsr. The police gave him a bad report. The Probation Officer (Mr. TV. J. Campbell) stated that accused had not reported regularly. Leatham was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.