MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 5, 1 October 1917, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

NEWSYMDOR IN TROUBLE; Mr. S-. E. M'Cartliy, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday, and hoard t-ne police ca6es.

John Sturrock Bobbie, a newspaper vendor, was charged with being found drunk, in tho Albert Hotel,'on September 21, also ■with refusing to leave licensed premises; when requested to do so, and further, with using obscene language in tho bar of tha Albert Hotel. Accused pleaded not guilty, ■ end on the charge of using obtscene language he elected t<j be tried in tho Supreme Court. The accused conducted his own defencc. Constable M'Millan, in - bis -evidence, stated that while on "point" duty at tho corner of Willis- and Manners Streets on September 21 he saw accused .coming up Willis Street leading two bulldogs, with, another'following. The accused went into the Albert Hotel with the dogs. Witness and Constable Pearce went into the hotel and saw accused behind the bap. He refused to leave the premises when requested. to do so, and was subsequently rested. The man was under tho influence of liquor. Peter MlDonald. employee at the hotel, and Constable Pearce gave corroborative evidence. "When asked if he wished to give evi« dence on his own account or make statement, Robbie replied that he desired to make a statement. Ho contended that he was not drunk on tho oco-sion, but admitted that he was under the influence of liquor, because if a man took a single glass of liquor he was 1 under the influence of'liquor. The fact that he walked up to the Albert Hotel, notwithstanding the oongestion of traffic in the street, proved that he was not drunk. "There is one definite statement that I wish to make, , and that is. that the evidence of the constables is not reliable." He ccrtainly 'never refused to leave the hotel. . Tlie Magistrate said he was satisfied accused was drunk, and that he had refused to leave licensed premises. On the first charge he would be convicted and discharged, and for refusing _to quit the premises ho would be fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment. Albert Win. Organ was convicted and discharged for being found' drunk in Willis Street,, and for refusing to_ leave licensed premises was fined 405., in de« fault fourteen days' imprisonment, and was also ordered to pay. mcdical expenses 215., in default seven days' imprisonment, the terms to be cumulative.

•For insobriety Herbert W.* Williams was fined 205., with, the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment, and three first offenders were dealt with in the usual manner.

Walter Tujuer -was charged witli committing a< grossly-indecent act in Tarana-ki •Street. "Mr. H. P. • O'Lcary. who appeared for the defendant, explained the exceptional circumstances uudei* anliicli the act was committed. Turner was convicted and ordered to come up for sentcncc when called upon.

Alfred TViWcman, trimmer ou a» oversea vessel, was i of imlaivfiilly absenting himself from his ship without leave, and was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, and to be placcd on board his vessel should tlie' captain so require. Some time ago au • ordor was made against Leonard 13. Armstrong for tho maintenance of his two children. His arrears pn September 26 totalled £4 10s. Ho was convicted and ordered to comcup for sentence when called upon. A romand to Wednesday was yranted in tlie case of "Nicholas Ourran, charged •witli indecent assault on a male. Is T o bail was allowed.