MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 701, 29 December 1909, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

* • (Beforo Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) ADVICE TO A CONSTABLE., At tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, Jolin Cotter, for whom Mr. Fitzgibbon appeared, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having obstructed Constablo Glynn whilo in tho execution of his duty. The polico evidence was that accused had interfered when tho constablo sought to arrest a man. named O'Connor for drunkennoss '• on Christmas Eve.. Cotter was sober, but tho two men had been going along Webb Strcot arm-in-arm, and O'Connor was singing. When the constablo' warned 'thonii the noise continued, and O'Connor was arrested for drunkenness. Cotter x than attempted to I pull O'Connor away." Evidence for the dofence was given to I the effect that Cotter had been out with O'Connor, and was taking him to hie I homo In Broadway Terrace. They word I within ii few yards of tho gate when tho constablo appeared, Accused denied that he had hindered the constable, and stated that he had laid a complaint against him , for officiousucss. - , I Tho magistrate remarked that tho con- ' stable might have let both men go home, | seeing that it was Christmas Eve, and they had not far to go. However, an I offence had- beon committed, and a fine of ( 205., and Cs. witnesses' expenses, would be imposed, tho default being fixed at seven clays' imprisonment. NINE STREET DISTURBANCES. . -For having taken part in a fight at I'limmer's Steps on tho previous afternoon, Oscar Jensen (who appeared in the dock with his head bandaged) was fined 10s., or 48 hours. t ■ John. Francis Franklin, who admitted having caused a breach of the peace in Cuba Street, was fined 20s. or seven days' imprisonment. Convictions were entered against James Uinton, alias Crimmins, on two charges:—(l) Obscono language, and (2) as-iult on Charles Hensel. Ho was fined £3 (or fonrteen days) on the first charge, and 40s. (or seven days) on the second. ' Patrick Connor was fined 20s. (in default seven days) for having caused a breach of tho peace in Cuba Street on Boeing Night.' Walter Kcmpton, Who pleaded guilty to having used threatening behaviour in North Street such as would causo a breach of the peace, 'wns fined 205., in default seven clays' imprisonment. Ho was granted a week in which to pay the A plea of guilty was entered by Albert Powell to charges of disorderly conduct while drunk, obscone language, and assault on a constablo. .Ho was fined 205., or seven days, on the first charge, £3 and witnesses expenses 123., or fourteen days,-on tho second, and £3, or fourteen days, on tho ithird. Albert Walton pleaded pilty when charged with having obstructed Constable Naughton in the execution of his duty. He was fined 40s, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. Arthur" M'Fadzean was convicted on a chargo of assaulting William Edward Thompson, 1 and was fined 205., and witnesses expenses 125., in default seven days' imprisonment. ■ James Denniston pleaded guilty to two charges—one of disorderly behaviour in Lambton Quay, and .the other of resisting tho arresting constable. On tho first charge he was fined 205., or seven days, nnd on the second 405., or fourteen days. A CHINESE'SAILOR DISOBEYS. Ah Bow appeared on remand'charged that, being a duly articled seaman on the steamer Falls of 'Nlth, ho wilfully disobeyed tho lawful commands of Donald M'Kcuzie, tho chief otßcer. The disobedience lay in a refusal to remain on board the stcamif on Sunday night, December 20, although informed that no in,ember of a Chinese crew was allowed to' land hero. Accused, quartermaster on the vessel, stated that ho was a naturalised subject. Ho'was convicted and fined 2Cs., and interpreter's fee ' one guinea, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Tho magistrate ordered that he should be plated, on board the steamer' 'before eho left. ' • THEFT OF A SWAG. Terence M'Alear. against whom thero were a number of previous convictions, appealed on a chargo of stealing a swag (value .£2)., • I - . The, statement of defence was that o "mate," whoso namo accused, could not recall, had intended to leavo by _ tho Maori'for I.yttelton on Boxing JSibM. 'and ho went down to see him off.. Whilft the ■ other man went to got his ticket accused looked after his swag, but tho other man did not como back. The polico evidence was that accused was arretted in Victoria Street, with tho swag in his possession. The magistrate imposed a sentence of thrco months' imprisonment. A second charge, of vagrancy was withdrawn. REFUSED TO LEAVE. Ernest Martin was convicted and dischargecLfor drunkenness. Ho pleaded not guilty to a charge of refusing to leave the Commercial Hotel when requested to do so by tho licensee, George Pinbook, but was convicted andfinod 205., in default seven days' imprisonment. His complaint wns that the barmaid had charged him 7s. 6fl. for two drinks. ' -OTHER CASEV Seven first offenders for drunkenness (throo of whom were women) were convicted and discharged. Two more, who did not appear, were each fined -10s., in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Edward Westerby and Robert Meely were fined 10s. ,ih default 48 hours' imprisonment. Edward Donovan, twico previously- convicted, wns fined 205., or seven days! imprisonment. Andrew Thomas Pluukott was sentenced to | 21 days' imprisonaient, and Harry Ivoson, who had threo convictions within tho , past ton days, received a sentence ot one month. Henry Howard, for drunken-, ncss while in chargo of a horse and cart in Lambton Quay, was fined 405., or seven days. , Catherine Malkin, alias Schmidt, chaigcd with importuning in Cambridga Terrace, was further remanded until December SO, that she might procure tho services of a solicitor. Tho samo bail as beforo was allowed—.£lo and ono surety.