MAGISTRATE'S COURT. MAGISTATES COURT

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 306, 19 September 1908, Page 13

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. MAGISTATES COURT

POLICE CASES. (Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) THE JACKSON CASE. INFORMATION DISMISSED. ~ • NO EVIDENCE OFFERED. Tho Court loungers evinced special interest at the mention of the case of , Frederick Jackson, one of the original members of tho Anglo-JVelsh football team, who appeared in answer; to charge of having, on September 17, unlawfully assaulted Wm. Lewis. Jackson, who was defended by Mr. Wilford, stepped into the dock with a smile, nodding cheerily to ono of tho detective stair on his way in. ■Wm. Lewis entered the witness-box and informed the Court that when he' had como down to tho police station the previous day he had failed to notico any of the persons' who witnessed the alleged assault. Consequently, he had no witnesses, and if he got his property back he would not go on with the' charge. ■ Mr. Wilford: What property? Sub-Inspector Pliair explained that a watch and chain belonging to complainant had beon dislodged from its place the previous day, and was at present in the custody of the police. Mr. Wilford: I would like to say a.few words.' His Worship: I don't think it is necessary, Mr. Wilford. Mr. Wilford urged that in view of tho , publicity that had been given to the case already it was only fair to his client that tho circumstances of the case should be explained. Counsel proceeded to state that his client was a saloon passenger from Sydney to Wellington by tho steamer Maitai, a,ncl complainant was a steerago passenger by tho samo steamer. Mr. Wilford went on to detail an alleged private money transaction between Lewis and a country youth in Sydney, previous to'the departure_ of the Maitai, and the subsequent meeting of' Lewis and the youth on tho steamer. The mysterious game of "Farmer's Glory" and "a cold deck "at'poker occupied a place in tho balance of the story. The .position of affairs became known to certain of the passengers, and on tho arrival of the Maitai in •the stream and the approach of tho policc boat matters took a certain turn, but not altogether satisfactory to those who knew tho circumstances. *' After the passengers had landed, Lewis and Jackson met in front of the Post Office, and the latter caught hold of .Lewis. At this stage the police arrived on the scene, and both Jackson and Lewis went to the Lambton Quay station, where Lewis laid an information against Jackson ( for assault. Counsel contended that Jackson was deserving of all praise, _ and_ if he got anything it snould be a testimonial. _ His Worship said this was a private information, and as no evidence was tendered tho information would be dismissed. So far as the particulars leading up to the alleged assault were concerned, there was a legal remedy, aud it could be pnt into force by the parties if they thought it necessary. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Thomas Coulston, butcher, was charged with having used obscene languago in a Government railway carriage on August 21. Mr. Wilford appeared for accused. SubInspector Phair, who prosecuted, described the language as being of the worst class. His Worship said the language was certainly bad, and it was 'only the fact tlmt it had- been used in the presence, of men and not in mixed company that saved accused from a term of imprisonment., Obscene language was' becoming too frequent, and it seemed that the penalties would have to be increased to stop the abuse. Accused would be convicted arid fined £5 and costs lis., in default 14 days' imprisonment. ,''' FOUND IN A DWELLING. ' ■Ernest Geo. Kelly, alias "Flash" Kelly, appeared, on remand, on a charge of having, on September 12, beon found by night without lawful excuse in the dwolling of James M'Millan, Lorne Street. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that defendant was found in a bedroom in M'Millan's house in Lome Street, and that tho bedclothes and clothing belonging to M'Millan were found disarranged. • - Defendant said he went to the house to collect some money M'Millan owed him. He found the. door open'and walked in to wait until MJMillan camo home, as lie had been asked by M'Millan to call round at the end of the week. He had been in M'Millan's place at Christchurch dozens of times. He' denied having gone into the bedroom. Whilst he' was waiting for M'Milan to como homo his housekeeper came in, and, seeing Kelly there, ran out and informed the police. His Wprship said that taking into consideration the whole circumstances of the case defendant must be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. ' ' ' DISORDERLY CONDUCT. ' A charge of disorderly concduct in Courtenay'Placo, whilst drunk, was preferred against Wm. Buckley,, a sailor. Evidenco was given by tho police that accused was seen shouting and making a great' deal of noise in tho midst of a crowd of people. , Accused said he had only had two pints of beer, and was on his way back to his ship when a policeman' caught hold of him. A conviction and. fine of 205., in default seven days' imprisonment, was imposed. MISCELLANEOUS. A. young woman named Ellen Anderson was convicted and fined 205., and costs 75., in default seven days' imprisonment, on'a chargo of having been found on licensed premises during tho currency of a prohibition order. Carl Otto Andorson did not appear in answer to a charge of having attempted to commit suicide at Wellington on July 11. Accused, who had been before the, Court on tho same charge on two occasions previously, was convicted and discharged. Charles Edward Arney and John O'Leary, charged with insobriety, were each convicted and fined 10s., in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Four first offenders were dealt with. One was convicted and fined 10s., and two were convicted and fined ss. MOUNT COOK POLICE COURT. Mr. W. Hildreth, J.P., presided at the Mount Cook Police Station Court yesterday, when Alexander Dixon Campbell and William Hurley woro each fined ten shillings, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, for drunkenness.