THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 12026, 26 October 1903, Page 6

THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT.

(Before C. C. Graham, Esq., S.M.)

Drunkenness.—Two first offenders, who were foond drunk on the railway station, were each fined 10s, or forty-eight hours' imprisonment. *

By-law Case.—For riding a bicycle on a footbath afc St. Qair, Henry Gill was fewd 5s and costs (7s).

Assault.—Henry M'Carthy, a youth, was charged with, on the 19th inst., assaulting George Featherstone so as to czrwse hrm actual bodily harm. Mr A. E. Barclay defended.—The Sub-inspector explained iiat accused, the complainant, and a third party were at the theatre on Monday night last, and had some words, which ended in a challenge to fight. On leaving • the theatre nfter the performance was over the young fellows went towards the north end of the town, where they lived. They quarrelled along the street, and when at the corner of St. Andrew and Bang streets McCarthy challenged Featherstone to fight. »The lat tor said that he did not want to fight, whereupon accused struck him, once or twice with his fist. The complainant was about to turn round to defend himself, when M'Carthy struck him on the right wrist with a knife, inflicting a serious wound. Some of the sinews were severed, and it was doubtful whether Featherstone would be able to again use some of his fingers—Evidence was given by Dr Hall (house surgeon at the hospital), George Featherstaae (who said that he believed the Avhole thing was the result of an accident), Robert Turnbull, and Plain-clothes Constable Hill.—Mr Barclay said that the fact of the matter was that Featherstone taunted M'Carthy m having been a witness in a case heard at the Police Court, and the result was that when they got to lie corner of St Andrew and King streets accused struck the complainant on the back with his fist. M'Carthy had simply been indulging in a boy's habit by opening and closing his knife. When he struck out at Featherstone the second time he forgot all about his knife, which struck Featherstone on the back of the wrist as he put up his arm to defend himself. Counsel suggested that the case should be treated as one of common assault.—His Worship thought that there was a case to answer, and committed accused for trial, bail being allowed "himself in £SO and one surety of a like amount.

The Old Age Pension Act.—Ann. Coonan was charged with, on the 9th of May, obtaining a pension certificate entitling her to a pension of £lB by falsely stating that the had no property, whereas she was possessed of the sum of £174 13s 6d. There were three other charges agadnst the same accused of obtaining a certificate for a larger amount than she was justly entitled to. Mr J, F. M. Fraser appeared to prosecute, and Mr A. G. Hanlon to defend.—Owing to His Worship having another engagement the cases were adjourned until Wednesday.