THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 7495, 13 April 1888, Page 3

THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT. (Before Messrs A. H. Ross and J. D. Feraud, J.P.s.) Drunkenness.—For this offence Leslie Graham was fined 203, with the alternative of forty-eight hours' imprisonment; Michael Connelly was fined 10s, or three days'; Jane Rivers was sent to gaol for two months, with hard labor. Using Obscene Language.— Ihe same prisoner was, for using obscene language in the hearing of persons passing in Princes street, sent to gaol for two months; while for breaking a pane of glass in the Newmarket Hotel he was fined 20s and ordered to pay the damage (12s), in default fourteen days' imprisonment—cumulative on the previous sentence. Disorderly Conduct. Annie Merrill was convicted of behaving, while drunk, in a disorderly manner in Princes street, but was discharged, it being her first offence. Larceny. Frederick Williams pleaded guilty to having, on the sth inst., stolen a watch, the property of Florence Mabel Lucas, and valued at LI 7s. Sergeantmajor Bevin stated that the watch was sent by its owner to be repaired at the shop of one Charles Henry, and accused going into the place on the pretence of inquiring about something, stole the watch and sold it at a dealer'sshop. Hethen went away to Oarnarn, where he was arrested.—Accused said that he took the watch only because ho wanted to nay his way to Oamani, where he had got employment with Dr Wa.tc He also alleged that the prosecutor, Henry was willing to withdraw the charge. -The Bench remarked that the worst of the case was that this was not the first time that accused had been before the Court.-Scrgeant-rnajor Bevin said it was not; on the 17th of January he was convicted of larceny of a watch as a bailee, and was released on pro-bation.-The Probation Officer said he would ask that the prisoner's probation be cancelled.-The accused asked to be let off this time for the sake of his

I wife and family.—Tho Bench said it was not in their, power to do do, he having pleaded guilty, and had been previously convicted.—Mr Miine, who appeared for accused, submitted that it was in the pow.er of the Bench to convict the accused and discharge him without interfering with his probation i further, that accused had not broken the provisions of his probation license, for one specific act of crime did not break the probation. One condition of probation was that tho licensee must get Us living by honest means.—lhe Bench remarked that stealing watches was not an honest means of potting a living. —Mr Milne said that accused was not getting his living in that way, for he had employment, and though he had stolen watch he did not get his living by it.—lhe Bench, after consideration, said that undjr the circumstances they did not think they would commit an error of judgment if they convicted accused and discharged him en the condition that his previous term of probation be extended. Accused would be convicted and discharged accordingly on six months' probation ; tho term to date from to-day, and accused to pay back to the purchaser of the watch the amount he had given for it.—After the ca3e was decided the prosecutor Henry, who had been sitting in Court all the time and heard accused's statement that he was willing to withdraw the charge, went up to the Bench and told them that he had never been willing to do so ; but quite the contrary.—The Bench of course informed him that it was too late to interfere with their decision ; he should have spoken before.