POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 36, 12 February 1924, Page 8

POLICE COURT.

m ■ (Before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M.i DRUNKENNESS "I was a bit worried yesterday, and that's why," said Florence Elsie Neville (44), who admitted her third offence of drunkenness within six months, and her third breach of a .prohibition order. Senior Sergeant Rawle said it was her 22nd appearance- Neville pleaded that she was making arrangements to live with her husband again, and the Magistrate adjourned the case till to-morrow, to ascertain whether or not a reconcili-' ation could be effected with beneficial results to the woman. SEVERAL CHARGES PREFERRED. "As there are several other charges pending I ask that this man be remanded till Monday next," said Chief Detectire Cummings, when a declared habitual criminal, Robert James Brydon, aliaa Woodward (36), appeared in the dock charged (1) that he obtained 2/ by means of a false pretence'; and that he cbmmitt->d the theft (2) of a shirt, value la/6, hat, value £2 2/; (3) a banjo, value £7: (4) two bicycles, valued at £12 each; and (5) a bicycle, valued at £15 15/. The remand was granted, accused remaining in custody. YOUNG WOMAN'S SAD CASE. An apparently incorrigible young woman wa„ the central figure in a case involving charges of drunkenness, vagrancy and wilful damage to a padded cell.- As she was only 19 years of age, and had not been previously convicted, the Magistrate ordered that her name be not published. A report by Detective Sergeant Issell gave the girl a bad character. It was stated that she had been in the Mount Magdalene Home at Christchurch, where the authorities had been unable to do anything with her, and she was discharged "some eight montlis ago. She drank to excess, stated the detective-sergeant's report, frequented vessels in port at night, and had, by her action in living with a young married man during t' . f bsence of his wife and family, almost wrecked a happy home. Adjutant Gordon, the Salvation" Army's Samaritan worker, said that the Army would be quite willing to take the girl, if it were not for the fact that she was of an uncontrollable disposition, given to fits of violent temper, and incorrigible. The Adjutant recommended that she be sent to the Government reformatory at Point Halswell, Wellington, where there were adequate facilities for dealing with such women. Mr. Woodley, who appeared for the girl, asked that she should not be sent to gaol. The circumstances of her upbringing had been unfortunate. She was still young, and there was hope for her yrt. The Magistrate committed accused to the Point F.alswell institution for twelve months, and ordered that she pay the sum of £3 15/ to the Crown, for damage to the padded cell. The payment is to be made in twp years time, when the girl will come into property and money.