THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 7613, 16 May 1888, Page 2

THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT. (Before Messrs J. Elmer and 11. F. Hardy, J.P.s.) False' Pretences. —Alfred York was charged with having obtained by false pretence from James Hardie, on the 11th inst., L 3 1!L, two shirts of the value of 11a, and one dozen handkerchiefs valued at 10s. Accused pleaded guilty.—Detective Henderson said that the prisoner had purchased at the shop of Mr Hardie goods to the value of LI Is, tendering a cheque for L 5, signed “ Alfred York,” at the same time assuring both Mr Hardie and his assistant that ho (the accused) had an account at the bank. He arrived here about three months ego, and had put up at the Coffee Pa'ace. His board bill had lately been presented to him, and then ho suddenly left. The things purchased by him he had taken to Port Chalmers with him. He had been “spreeing” about. Judging by the handwriting on the cheque and his conversation, accused was evidently well educated. There was no account in the name of Alfred York at the Union Bank.— Prisoner, who had nothing to say, was sentenced to sis months’ Imprisonment with hard labor. Theft. — John Reid (14 Tears), Hiram Holmes (12 years), William Bowers (1G years), and Thomas Faye (11 years) were charged with stealing two footballs, the property of Joseph Braithwaite, and valued at LI Os.—Detective Henderson said that the balls ha 1 been traced to two of the prisoners. Holmes, on being charged, admitted the offence, saying that he met the other boys, one of whom asked him to cut the ball from off the string, which he did, but the ball was immediately taken from him by Bowers. He (the detective) asked that Ho’mes, who was the only one that pleaded guilty, might be dealt with at once, so that his evidence could then be taken.—The Bench, however, decided to hear the whole of the evidence before dealing with Holmes, Hiram Holmes, in his evidence, admitted catting the balls down, but said that Bowers took the ball from him and went away with it.— P. J. Bellet, shopman to J. Braithwaite, who did not wish to press the charge, identified the balls. He had seen one or two of the accused about the shop.—Detective Maddern deposed to having found one of the balls in possession of Bowers, who admitted taking it from Holmes. The second ball was handed to him by Reid, who admitted having taken it from Braithwaite’s. Page did not take the balls, but watched the others doing so. Bowers had been convicted of larceny in December, 1883. The Bench, after consideration, expressed the opinion that this sort of thing must be put down. Bowers would be fined LI, or seven days’ imprisonment; Page, ss, or forty-eight hours’; Reid, 10s, or four days’; and Holmes, ss, or two days’. A charge of stealing one football, valued at 13a, from the shop of F. Montague was preftned against three other lads named respectively Peter Neame, Albert Cook, and John Reid. Neame pleaded guilty. Hia mother, who was present, stated that the boy was a little silly. Cook and Reid pleaded not guilty.—Mr Montague, in reply to the Bench, stated that ho had no desire to press the charge, as he considered that the lads had been sufficiently punished. The boys were therefore discharged, the Bench remarking that the lads should be thankful that Mr Montague had decided to be so lenient with them. They (the Bonoh) trusted that the present case would be a caution to all of the boys, who had rendered themselves liable to a fine of L2O, or six months’ imprisonment. Insufficient Means of Suppoet.— John Allen, remanded from last Wednesday tc give him an opportunity of leaving Dunedin, was again brought up. The police reported that accused still continued to live in the manner complained of.—Accused told the Bench that he was waiting to be put to work by Mr Allan. —He was sentenced to three months’ hard labor.