THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14574, 24 May 1911, Page 5

THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT. H. Y. Widdowsnn, Esq., S.M.) Drunkenness.—Herbert George Elder did not appear, an 1 was lined the amount of his bail (20s) Elizabeth Gore, an old offender, pleaded guilty, and asked for a chance to go back to the Benevolent Home, which she said she would never leave again. The court orderly informed tho magistrate that she had been hanging about the town lately. Mr Widdowson warned her that her next homo might be that for inebriates. She was fined 20s, in default seven days. Maintenance. —Archibald Leckie was charged with failing to provide adequate means of maintenance for his wife. He said that ho had kept up payment until Christmas. —Mr Moore (who appeared for complainant) said that the police had been looking for accused all over the Dominion, and he was finally arrested in Groymouth. About sixteen years ago he had deserted his wife when she had a child but four months old ; for the last ten years ho had been paying 15s a week, but occasionally went into arrears.—Accused said he could not pay that sum. but admitted that he earned 10s a day as a saw-miller in fine weather, and tliat lie had £22. —He was ordered to pay 12s 6d a week towards his wife’s support, and also to pay £l2 as

arrears. Scuffle in a Cafe.—A scuffle in the Dominion Cafe on Saturday night led to George Charlesworth being charged with assaulting George Chapman, wilfully damaging crockery in the cafe, and using obscene language. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Hanlon. Subinspector Cruickshank prosecuted.—George Chapman (employed in tho Dominion Cafe on that night) stated that one of accused s companions vomited over the table. '1 urnbull, another employee, came in and spoke to him, whereupon accused swore at him. When the four came out witness asked who was going to pay, and closed the door till they did pay. The charge was 4s, and Is was asked for cleaning up the mess. Witness opened the door when they paid the 4s (they refused to pay the other Is). As accused was passing out he struck witness without receiving any provocation, and used obscene language. He also followed him into the cafe, and assaulted him again, his companions following, and tables, etc., being knocked over in the scuffle. To .All' Hanlon : He went to this cafe in his spare time, and received something from the proceeds. He was not the “ chucker out,” and he did not prevent them leaving because they refused to pay the extra shilling.—James Turnbull (another employee) corroborated this statement. To Air Hanlon: Ho also was only there on Saturday nights, and got nothing for it, doing the work as a friend of the family. Chapman did not push accused away from the door before accused struck him. It was not true that he and Chapman were running the show for Airs Jack this night—were, in fact, the “chuckers out.”—Bethia Jack (daughter of the proprietress) told practically the same story, except that she said that after accused had paid the 4s Chapman advised them to pay the other Is and have dene with it.—Air Hanlon said these two men, Chapman and Turnbull, wore continually loafing about the cafe, and they gave a little assistance sometimes of the kind they had given on Saturday night.—Accused (on oath) stated that he met an old friend and his companions, one of whom was drunk. He took them all to supper. During the supper the drunk man was sick. Witness presumed that this man would pay for tho mess, but he himself was certainly not willing to do so. He paid the 4s for tho meal, and when he was preparing to go out Chapman said ; ” Oh, no, you don’t,” and pushed him. Witness prepared to defend himself, but Chapman drew back until Turnbull appeared, when both of them collared him, and a scuffle ensued, in which some things were knocked down. He was put down by the two and held.—Parsons corroborated this statement, saying that Chapman was the cause of the trouble. He was not sure, howev?r, whetho- Chapman shrt the door before or after the money was paid.—The charges of wilful damage and obscene language were dismissed. In regard to the assault, the Alagistrate said that it seemed to be the scuffle in the dining room, and on the evidence before him ho could not convict. The charge was dismissed.

Two Remands.—William Fernandez alias Joseph William Horton was charged that, on the Bth March, at Westport, he did wilfully make a false statement by representing that he was Joseph William Horton, for the purpose of being inserted in the marriage register at Westport, and did sign the register to that effect.—He was remanded to Westport, hail being fixed self in £IOO and two sureties of £SO each. ■ John Armstrong was charged with having stolen, at Rangiora, on October 27, 1910. a bicycle valued at £ls, the property of Harold Charles Truscott. lie had just concluded a sentence for false pretences, an! was remanded to' appear at Rangiora on the 51st. By-laws. —William Casey, for failing to comply with the by-laws in respect of the appointments of a stable, was fined 20s.