MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1788, 28 June 1913, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THE "TWO-UP" MAN. CONSTABLE'S ACT CRITICISED. BY COUNSEL. Strollers along the wharves in the vicinity of the Sailors' Rest sometimes notice little groups engaged in some game or other, but, as tho general public aro not invited 1 inside the sacred circle,_ it is, of course, only a Matter of conjecture what the magic attraction may bo. Occasionally, however, tho police swoop in past tho scouts, pickets, vedettes, outposts, and cordons, and one or more of the players is asked to step before the magistrate and explain. Sometimes, too, in such proceedings, tho constable himself comes under fire, and at the Court resterday morning a policc officer's methods were criticisod by counsel (Mr. H. F. o'l<eary) appearing for a man named Sydney Reed, who was charged with piaying "two-up" on Waterloo Quay. Mr. W. G. Riddcll, S.M., wag on the Bench, and Inspector Hendrey prosecuted. Reed pleaded not ftuilty. Constable Tricklebank, who was tho solo witness for tho prosecution, stated ■ that in consequence of information received lie proceeded in plain clothes to Waterloo Quay, and joined a group of wharf-labourers in front of the Customs Building. He saw accused toss up two pennies in l)is band, onti also saw him receive half o. crown from another person in the ring. Witness at once "grabbed" accused and tool; him to the Lambton Police Station for tho purpose of ascertaining his name and address. Mr. O'Learv cross-examined witness at some limathb tohl» authority

no warrant, but maintained that his authority was set out in tho Gaming Act. Before calling on lieed to give evidence , Mr. O'Leary intimated that he desired to comment upon the action of Ills constable. Ho contended that it was an unwarrantable action. In such a case the police had no authority whatever to act as the constable had done. Reed Ikhl been arrested and held in custody for some two hours, and he described this as a "high-handed action." Ho concluded by stating that he and his client would have to consider whether or not they would charge tho constable with assault. The accused then gave evidence, in the course of which he denied playing "twoup." Without comment his Worship nned accused 40s. and costs, in default seven days' imprisonment. BARMAID ASSAULTED. Francis Thos. .Tones was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for assaulting a barmaid employed in tho Occidental Hotel. Inspector Hendrey stated that tho accused had gone into the hotel and used certain language to the barmaid, after which he threw a jug at her inflicting a severe facial wound. BY-LAW CASES. Jamos Mabey was fined 10s. and costs 7s. for driving a vehicle-' aoross a-street intersection at other than a walking pace. i'or allowing an unlicensed man to act as driver of his vehicle Samuel Bradley was fined 10s. and costs 7s. A. similar fine was imposed upon John Wright, the unlicensed driver. Pino of ss. were imposed in the cases of the following persons, who had permitted stock to be at large:—Henry F. Hansen, Wm. May, Geo. Hudson, Thos. Thompson, and Richard J. Ta'rr. Charles Daniel Hargreaves was fined ss. and oosts' 7s. for plying for hire an unlicensed vehicle. MILITARY DETENTION. Two youths named Holdcn and Alfred L. M'Leary, were each sentenced to 14 days' military detention for failing to attend either of the two Territorial camps recently held at Oringi. , POLICE CASES. Mary Joyco and Elizabeth Black were each sentenced to one month's imprisonjnent for importuning. For using certain objectionable language in a public street Alice Parker was fined 40s. or seven day 3in gaol. Fines for insobriety, wera imposed on the following David Strata ton, 10s., or 24 hours'; Wm. Inglis, 20s. or 3 days; Arthur Leonard, 10s. or 48 hours. Charles Enticott was fined X' 3 in default 21 days' imprisonment for using objectionable language. Patrick .O'Brien pleaded guilty to insobriety, resisting Constable Thompson, and wilfully damaging a macintosh valued at 425., the' property of the New Zealand Government/ The first charge was dismissed and on the sccond he was fined 40s. in-default seven.days' imprisonment; and on the third count was ordered to pay the value of the macintosh (425.). Annie Widdas was convicted and discharged on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, end was made the subject of a prohibition order.