THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 11779, 8 January 1903, Page 4

THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT.

(Before E. H. Carew, Esq., S.M.) Drunkenness.—Elixabetk Johnston was sent to gaol for fourteen days. A case against a first offender was not dealt with. owing to an informality in the bail bond: The Sub-inspector said that he would bring the offender up on summons. A Game of Chance.—Charles Mack pleaded not guilty to playing a game, of chance on the- Wingatui racecourse on December 26 with an instrument of gaming, to wit. dice.—The Sub-inspector explained that the offence was laid under the Police Offences Act. On the date in question accused was seen playing a game called " Yankee sweat."—Detective Livingstone said that accused had a table) and a box containing three dice in his hand. Accused invited people to take part in the game. Immediately' witness appeared on the scene about 15s in money was snatched off the table by different persons standing round. A man who ran a " Yankee sweat" table usually had confederates, who put money down in order to induce people to play. Witness hac\ known a man to lose £SO at one of these tables in less than two hours by " doubling'' every v time.—His Worship inflicted a lino of 50s and costs, but on noticing later that he had no power to inflict a fiuo under the Police, Oifences Act, ho asked the police to send for Mack, who had left the court.

Theft of Vegetables.—Thomas Randall was charged with, on the 20th December, stealing cabbages, onions, and turnips, of the value of 21s, the property of Joe Kui, Ah Young, and Ah Wong. Air Brugh defended.—The Sub-inspector explained that the complainants were Chinese gardeners, living at St. Clair. Owing to losing vegetables from time to time, they set a watch on the night in question, ana} saw accused enter their garden and pull up a quantity of vegetables and puu them in a sack. Accused then left the sack in the garden, and, returning towards daylight, took the bag away to the limekiln, dose°by where he was employed. The Chinamen followed him there, and on accusing him of stealing their vegetables Randal* said that he intended to pay for them. The complainants refused to accept payment, and reported the matter to the police. Constable Mulbolland interviewed accused, who practically admitted taking the vegetables, but not fo many as he was accused of stealing.—After evidence had been given, Mr Brugh said th-at his client pleaded guilty to taking the vegetables that were found in the bag, but denied going into the garden and destroying a. number of cabbages, which must have been the work of someone else.—llia Worship inflicted a fine of 50s and costs (12s). The Licensing Act.—Alice Silk, licensee of the Hotel Metropole at St. Clair, was charged with selling liquor on Sunday, the 7th of December. Mr Solomon defended. —Mr Fraser, who appeared for the prosecution, said that on the Sunday afternoon ni question two men were supplied with liquor at the hotel. The only question that was asked of them was whether they were travellers. That, counsel submitted, was not sufficient inquiry to make. As a matter of fact the men were not bona, fide travellers, becanre they lived within the threemile radius. They slept at the Ship Inn Restaurant, while the three-mile ra-diu9 line + erminated at the rfmp of Mcssra Herbert, Hayces, and Co.—The case was proceeding when we went to pro 1 ?!.-.