THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14954, 14 August 1912, Page 6

THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT. (Before H. Y. Widdowson, Esq., S.M.) Drunken Offences.—Alfred James M'Miilan "•.is fined 10s .and cub fare (2s), in default 24 hours' imprisonment, for drunkenness. For breach of a prohibition order ,hc was fined. 20s. in default 7 days; and for rising obscene language he was fined 40s, in default one month. An Arrest Challenged.—Arthur Patrick M'Kay was charged with being drunk in King Edward street-. South Dunedin, last night, and with having used indecent language.—Mr \Y. O. MacUregor, who defended, asked for an adjournment till tomorrow, and this was granted, except that it was decided (on the suggestion of Subinspector Cruickshank) to take the evidence of the constables at once, rather than bring them to court, at 10 twice running, after night duty.—Constable llavelock said that at 9.10 last night he saw the accused in company with a Mr Scanion. M'Kay was drunk, and insisted upon going home, with Scanion, who did not want his company. Witness told him, to get away home, or he would bo locked up. Accused put his face close to witness's, and said he was as capable of looking after himself am witness was ; at the. fame time bestowing an indecent epithet upon witness. Witness made a grab lor accused, who ducked and ran into the hotel. Witness followed, and told him to come out. When he did. witness arrested him on the present charges.— Mr MaeGregor : Yes. and the doctor saw him shortly afterwards and said it Was a scandal that the man should have been, ivriefctcd for drunkenness.—Constable : It was two hours later. and lie would recover in the cells.—Mr MaeGregor: I see. Is there something charming about the air of the cells?—-Witness : No, not in this weather.—l£ you thought this man drunk, why did you Tiot ;.rrest him at one*?— I gave him a chance to go home, which, I understand was only 20 yards away.— I see. He could walk home?—lf ho couldn't walk, he could roll home.—l« it not a fact that you would not have- arrested him it he had not called you a —.— ?—I would not have arrested him if he had gone home.—Constable Grigs said that accused insisted upon .going home with .Scanion, and llavelock told him he was not fit to take himself homo. Witness corroborated the evidence given by his brother officer. —The case Mas adjourned till to-morrow. Gross Indecency.—William Mitchell Irvine, for this offence, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Bad Language,—Robert Burgees, who was in the company of the last defendant. was lined £3 and costs (19s 6d), in default one month's imprisonment, for using indecent language. Thomas Farrell, charged with using ob.-cene language in Albany street, pleaded guilty under provocation, and was fined 40s. in* default one month. Alleged Theft,—Daniel Smith was charged with stealing articles of clothing valued at £l, the property of Richard Corkoran.—He was remanded till to-morrow, on the application of the chief detective, who said that- Detective Ward had made the arrest last night.—Bail wae» fixed, self in £2O, and one surety of £2O. Maintenance.—John Robertson Watson was charged with being the father of an illegitimate child for the adequate maintenance of which he had not made provision.—Mr B. S. Irwin asked for a veri.ind for one week. He said that paternity had been admitted, and the man had paid a considerable sum. There was every reason to believe that a settlement would be effected. —Chief-detective Herbert said that the man va? arrested this ruorning bv Detective Connolly, and the police had reason to believe that such settlement would be effected.—He wa« remanded as asked, bail being fixed, self in £SO, an.l one surety of ,G5C.— -An application from the department io increaee an order against 'Jhomas Guthrie from 8s to 10s was dismissed ; Mr Irwin appeared fur defendant A complaint alleging against William Daniels disobedience of a similar order was also dismissed. Edward Ramdle »6kod for cancellation of an order against him. This was granted after evidence had been taken, which showed his lack Jt" means; the airears were also remitted.—— Thomas Riddle was convicted of disobeying at order without lawful excuse, and was sentenced to 10 days' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended for seven days to give him i>, chatted to pay up the arrears. Helen Ritchie asked" for reparation, guardianship, and maintenance! orders against her husband, William Ritchie, alleging drunkenness, bad language, and failure >o maintain.—There were five children under 16 years of age-, a.r.d a maintenance order of 55s a week "was mad'? against defendant. The other orders were also made. Cruelty to a Horse.—Walter Rae pleaded guilty to having ill-used a horse. —Mr Scurr (who" represented tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society) eaid that defendant struck the animal over the loins with a bit of 3 by 2 wood.—Defendant, j who confessed that "he had lost his temper, | was fined 40s and costs 285.-