POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 84, 9 April 1925, Page 8

POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., and

Mr. J. 11. Fray, J.P.)

INDIAN'S OBSCENE LANGUAGE

A robust, dusky son of India, Ganesh Givan (24), when charged with using obscene language in Cook Street yesterday, said he did not remember anything about it. Plain Clothes Constable Walton said that he warned Givan about his continued use of obscene language, but he kept on repeating some filthy words, and was then arrested.

Mr. Poynton: I remember you, Givan; you were up here a little while ago on a vagrancy charge. What are you doing; are you working? In perfectly good English, accused said lie was working on a coastal steamer. Mr. Poynton: Oh, well, I don't want to interrupt your activities. The case will be adjourned for a month. You had better behave yourself, and see that you don't use this language again. BEER BLAMED. James Williamson (28) and Albert Ferrett (23) each pleaded guilty to a charge of fighting in Moore Street yesterday. Senior Sergeant Edwards said that when seen by a constable both men were down on the ground exchanging blows. One of the men said that they were both mates. They each blamed beer for the trouble. Each was convicted and fined £1 for •the public exhibition of pugilism. ALL OVER A "TRAY BIT." Charges of having assaulted Charles Quinn were preferred against James Alexander Maitland (29) and James Lloyd (54), two hefty men, both of whom pleaded not guilty. Quinn, a small man, whose face bore evidence of an assault, said he was a labourer. Last night he met Lloyd outside the Ferry Buildings. After speaking to Lloyd for a few minutes witness left him. Later when he saw him Lloyd pulled the front of his shirt open and asked him for his "tray bit." ' Mr. Poynton: Asked for his tray what ? Senior-Sergeant Edwards: In other words, your Worship, a threepenny piece. Mr. Poynton (smiling): Oh, I see. Continuing his story, Quinn said that he afterwards received a clout on the back of the head and a kick. Maitland also struck him. A bus man, James Aldred, stated that he saw Lloyd strike Quinn. Lloyd's explanation was that he lent Quinn a "tray bit" last Monday to buy a drink with. When he saw him again last night and asked him for the return of the threepence, Quinn said something and then struck witness.

Quinn, on being recalled, denied this,

Maitland admitted striking Quinn, because, he stated he did not like to see Quinn chasing Lloyd and striking

The magistrate said that Lloyd would have to pay 10/6 medical expenses, and the cost of a new shirt for Quinn. As for Maitland, he should not have entered the squabble at all, and should not have assaulted Quinn. It was a case for imprisonment and he would be sentenced to seven days. VALUELESS CHEQUES. Evidently Cecil William White (28) has a penchant for issuing valueless cheques, according to the observations made by Senior Sergeant Edwards. White pleaded guilty to obtaining £8 from J. Smith by means of a valueless cheque, and also a charge of having failed to comply with the terms and conditions of his release on probation. In a statement made by Sergeant Brown, accused admitted that he issued the valueless cheque at a time when he knew he had no money in the bank to meet it.

Senior Sergeant Edwards said that accused had been before the Court at Hamilton for similar offences.

Mr. W. J. Campbell, Probation Officer, said that White was admitted to probation at Hamilton by the Supreme Court on June 11 last. He had made restitution, but had not paid the cost of the prosecution. Mr. Poynton: You do not seem to value probation, White. Instead you continue on with your scheming and laugh at probation. I will remand you until April 16 for sentence.

THREE YEARS' REFORMATIVE. William Joseph O'Dwyer (3S), for whom Mr. J. J. Sullivan appeared, pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining £o5 0/8 with intent to defraud, by means of valueless cheques, and another of having failed to account for £24. Detective Nalder said that, when interviewed, accused admitted, the offences and Chat he issued cheques in payment o-f small accounts. Chief Detective Cuminings said that accused had received four years' imprisonment in 1920 for a similar offence, but since he had been out the last ten months he 'had behaved himself well. Mr. Poynton: This man is one of those pests who prey on society and robs sometime* people who are poor. On one of the charges accused will be sentenced to three years' reformative detention. THEFT OF A WATCH. Described as a recent arrival from Glasgow who came to Auckland from the Old Country by R.M.'M.s. Aorangi, ■John Brown Dunlop (45) was charged with stealing a gold watch, valued at £10, the property of Stephen Courtney. Detective McHugh described an interview with accused. As soon as witness mentioned the theft of the watch accused produced the gold timepiece, which was carefully wrapped up in tissue paper. Accused had been in the cabin of the captain's steward when the Aorangi was last in port, and admitted that during the absence of the steward he had taken the watch and pawned it for £2. Accused was in the cabin at the invitation of the steward.

Chief Detective Cummings said that accused was not known to lihe police. He was a recent arrival. Such thefts were always difficult to trace.

Accused made a strong appeal for leniency. He said that he had been second storekeeper on the voyage out from Home by the Aorangi, and had intended to settle here, and later brin» out his wife and family. He was hard pressed at the time, and took the watch in order to raise money. He fully intended to return it to the steward next time "the vessel came to Auckland. That was why he had wrapped it up in tissue ]iaper. When Detective MeHugh called to interview (him he immediately handed over the watch.

The magistrate thought it was not a case for a fine, and sentenced accused to one month's imprisonment.