THE COURTS-TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 15481, 1 May 1914, Page 8

THE COURTS-TO-DAY

CITY POLICE COURT.

(Before J. R. Bartholomew, Esq., S.M.) Helpless Drunkenness.—A young man who was found helplessly drunk in High street last night appeared in a penitent mood, pleaded guilty, and expressed eager willingness to take a prohibition order out against himself. —Sub-inspector Fouhy explained that the defendant was a fir6t offender, and asked the Court to issue a prohibition order. —Defendant said he would pay 2s lor cab hire.—Convicted and discharged, and ordered to pay the cab hire. A prohibition order was issued against him. Alleged Assault and Robbery.—Henry Rodgers, Patrick Dillon, and Isabella Jolly were charged with assaulting Reginald Marmont on April 29, and robbing him of 29s 6d. Mr D. D. Macdonald appeared for the defendants.—Chief-detec-tive Herbert said that as the complainant was in the public hospital he would a/k for a remand till Monday. In reply to His Worship, the chief detective explained that the complainant went for a walk down St. Andiew street, and was standing at the corner of Athol place when the two male accused with the woman came along and caught him from behind, knocked him down, and held him while the woman rifled his pockets. The complainant was perfectly sober at the time. He was a man who did not drink, and he did not go out looking for trouble. He was from the country, and had been employed on Laidlaw's Station, in the Alexandra district. He was in the hospital partly as a result of the assault, and partly due to his delicate health previously.—Mr Macdonald said that his instructions were totally at variance with the chief detective's , statement. As a matter of fact, it would be proved, he had reason to believe, that the complainant was drunk at the time. That, however, would be discussed later. —The defendants were remanded til' Monday, bail being fixed in respect of each defendant at £SO and one surety of £SO. Careless Chauffeurs.—Frederick Peter Pelvin was charged with, on the 14th April, failing to keep a motor car on the left-hand side of George 6treet, and also with furiously drivins a motor car. Defendant, for whom Mt Irwin appeared, pleaded guilty to the first charge, and not guilty to the second charge.— Evidence for the prosecution was given bv Constable Bandy, John Hemslev (motorman of a tramcar with which defendant's car collided), and Alfred Donald Scott /conductor of the car).—Defendant admitted that he was _ on the wrong side of the road, but denied driving furiouslv. - His Worship said the evidence of furious driving was not sufficient to support a conviction. On the other charge defendant was fined ss, with costs (]6s) Matthew Thomas Gilmour (for whom Mr Irwin appeared) was charged wi + h failing to drive a motor car parallel with the footpath in Howe street, and also with driving at a pace faster than a walk when turning from George street into Howe street.—Defendant pleaded cuiltv to the first charge, and not guilty to the second charge.—After hearing evidence the Magistrate said he would fine defendant ss, with coste (7s), on the finst charge, and dismiss the other information, as defendant had been handicapped in his defence by not being notified immediately after the offences. Prohibition Order.—A prohibition order was granted against a man on the application of his daughter. Licensing Casee. Charles Stuart M'Donald was charged that, on the 15th November. 1913, being otherwise than the licensee .of the Law Courts Hotel, he did supplv bv purchase liquor to be consumed on the premises to George Pringle Morrison, apparently under the age of 21 years, and also to Herbert Taylor Bain.—Alexander Stewart was similarly charged with supplying liquor to George Pringle Morrison and Herbert Taylor Bain.—Mr Irwin appeared for M'Donald, and Mr Lang for Stewart.—The Sub-inspector applied for an adjournment until Monday, which was granted.