MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 165, 6 April 1908, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

POLICE CASES. . (Before Mr. TV. G. Riddell, S.M.) BEGGING FOR ALMS. ■ Charles Stanley Steere, a middle-aged man of good address, entered a plea of guiity to a cnargo of being an idle and disorderly parson under tho meaning of the Police Onenets Act, 1884, in that lie begged for alms in Jplinston Street on April b. Tho police stated that defendant, who was formerly employed as a steward, had out of empioynient for a couple of months, and had made himself a nuisance by begging about tho • streets. On l'riday ho. accosted Detective Broberg in Johnston Street, and appealed to him ror 4d. to mako up Od. for a meal. . When arrested defendant had six pennies in his pocket. Defendant admitted havingasked tor alms, and informed tho Court that he had been very unfortunate since he arrived in New Zealand, wherefore ho'asked for a chance.; defendant was convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and was warned that if he was discovered wandering about the town begging he would be brought before tho Court and sentonced on tho present charge. . INDECENCY. ■ ■ : [.■ A well-built man, about 25 years of age, named Alfred Nelson, pleaded guiity to a charge, of indecency in the Botanical Gardens on April 3, and was convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan informed tho Court that numerous complaints had been received from residents in the vicinity ' of tho Gardens of l a man 'having behaved in an indecent manner in tho Gardens. The complaints woro received up to a time when defendant was put in gaol, and commenced again immediately lie was released. MISCELLANEOUS. Frederick' Joseph Nicholson and James Templeton woro each convicted and fined 10s., with the alternative of, 48 hours', imprisonment, for insobriety. Charles O'Neill was convicted and discharged for a similar offence. Three first offenders were convicted and fined 55., in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and ono was convicted and discharged on : condition that a prohibition order was issued. against her. • William Sayers was convicted and fined 10s., in default 48 hours' imprisonment, for having been found in a stato of 'helpless drunkenness on the steamer Rotomahana on 11WI, OS