THE COURTS—TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 16988, 10 March 1919, Page 6

THE COURTS—TO-DAY

SUPREME COURT.—IN CHAMBERS.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Sim.)

Probate was granted in the estates of -Catherine M‘Clay, Alice Susanali Williams, Janet Louisa Marshall, Henry Tobin, James Mouat, Henry WTuttome, George (Smith, Hugh Duncan Stewart, Mary Murphy, Marjory Caldcr, William Grant jyfunro, William James Richmond-. Letters of administration wore granted ■in the estates of David Fleming M’Keagg, John Robert Sutherland, Mary Ann lidbrook, Mary Catherine Brugh, Alexander M'Lca-n, Mac Donald, Frederick Schrick, and John Johan Bli-otstra. Ro John Nevill Ritchie, deceased.—ln motion that strict compliance with rules bo dispensed with in application for probate.— Accordingly.

CITY POLICE COURT.

(Before J. R. Bartholomew, Esq., 3.M.) Drunkenness.—-Noil Campbell, with two previous convictions within six months, was fined £2, iu default seven days’ imprisonment.—Thomas Devanoy was convicted and discharged upon consenting to prohibit himself. Remand.—Hugh M‘Lean, charged with committing an indecent act with intent to insult, was remanded for a week, bail being fixed, self iu £IOO and ono surety of the same sum. Claims He Lost His Identity.—Henry Frederick Elliott was charged with failing to comply with the ter:n(j of a maintenance order for tho support of his wife, the arrears on which were £4B 15a. Mr Brasoh appeared for complainant.—Defendant said that he had “sort of gone off hia head and wandered about,” and this accounted for his failure to comply, He had left his employment, and was told he had changed his name to Jackson, but did not know that he had. He did not “find” himself till the other day, and at once started to return to Dunedin from Central Otago, where ho found, himself. On return lie went at once to Chief-detective Bishop.— The Chief Detective said it was a fact the man had called on him before his arrest, and said he desired to get away to a job in Wellington, to get clear of tho woman with whom he had been living. It was a fact, too, that he had had some sort of fit in tho gaol yesterday, and appeared to bo subjoct to gticli seizures. Mi Brasoh said this put a fresh complexion on tho case. The fact was that this man was a weak man under the influence of this woman wlio lived with him. Bhe had loilowed him on a previous occasion when he went away. It seemed to counsel he would be‘better in Dunedin, where he could get plenty of work, and where Mr Gumming would help him.—Accused: “ My wife worries mo to that extent 1 can’t siav here. She goes running about telling folks that she would ‘ gaol' me. The Magistrate said that, with such arrears, the wife had plenty to worry her. If accused was going to Wellington ho would have to make a now order. Dofen-d-u>t would be sentenced to three months imprisonment, tho warrant, however, to be suspended provided ho kept up payment oi £2 lbs a week. A Rogue and Vagabond.—Robert Hagen pleaded not guilty to being an idle and disorderly person without viable of -import, ami not guilty also to being a rogue and vagabond, who was f . oun .nirfit in the enclosed yard of Richards, in Frederick streot.-RicharoK who was accused’!- landlord, edited that Die man was behind in rent, and that on account of his reputation and complaints made ho insisted upon accused leaving.Detective Hammerly said ho vveiij with tho landlord to hfe property and paw accused. The landlord said that in consequence of complaints from neighbors teat thieves, loose women., and others wo treciucnting the place, ho wished, the house vacated by accused. Tho latter aomiteed owime £2’ for rent, and tho landlord said ho would forego this if accused left. Accused said sk©'would go, and- they locked up tho house. Next day tho landlord called witness, stating that the front door had been burst in. Accused admitted that ho had got into tho house;,. Witness told accused that ho must get work or be arlasted as ati idle and disorderly perron. Later witness saw him drunk, and flyveu him if ho was working. He. said he had been working for another bootmaker, but upon witness taking him to tho place of this other bootmaker, tho latter e-aid accused had worked 10 minutes for him, and then left his work. Ho was a good workman, who could got plenty of worx if ha would keep off drink. Mid. toko the work. On the 9th inst. witness found accused in •tho yard of this house, and arrested him. hAngf-ant Thomson raid that ho had had occasion to go to tho shop of accused on rn.-mv occasions day and night. Ho had never seen him working, hut had found. ,m«) drinking there, and there, were many coinpla.iiits. —Evidence "’as given also by Court-ordcriv Sivyer.—lho Magistrate ionvicted accused, who elected not to give evidence. Tic was sentenced, to. three mont hs’ imprisonment. _ Moniington Imbroglio..—John 0 Connell and Vera” Bryant, lor whom Mr Hanlon appeared, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assmiiting Catherine Bates.-—Mr Hunion raid that so far art tho female defendant was concerned he was satisfied that she had been guilty of an assault, and sho would ho prepared to plead guilty. Tho isenior sergeant however, Gated that tho rr-.au made use of an expression that rendered him liable, too. ’This was douivd. —Senior-sergeant Murray raid all the parties were nv-idents of Morningten. Un the day in question Mrs Bates and daughter intended to go down to Kaikorai, end Diev passed through the male defendant’s 7 ropei’ty. which saved them' about ono and a .half miles’ walking. While they were passing ihrough the property tho female defendant called out. ordering thorn oil. Mrs Bales and daughter left, and took to the. Kaikorai Valley road In doing fo (hoy had to pass tho entrance to the proper! v, and tins male and female defendants emerged and followed Mrs Bates, accused her of stealing fruit. Tho female defendant struck Mrs Bales, and was incited by the male defendant to “ give her a good smack on the jaw.” .Miss Bryant did give her a smack on the jaw, knocking her down. She also kicked Mrs Bates and rubbed mud in !u;r face, leaving her Ring on the ground. He submitted that by counselling Ifo female defendant to commit tim offence O’Oonnall became a party to it. —Complainant denied under cross-examination that she had taken any fnnt. —liter little daughter stated that they passed through the orchard, and her mother felt the fruit to see if it was ripe. —Evidence was also given by Dr Linnon and" Constable Macartney.—-Mr Hanlon said two boys who saw the Inking of fruit apprised tho female defendant-, who followed complainant. It was true that defendant did more than aim should have done in catching hold of Mrs Balt* end throwing mud in her face. It was denied that she struck Mrs Bate? in tho face or that the male defendant incited her to strike Mrs Bates.—.Defendant, Vera_ Bryant, said Mrs Bates dropped tho fruit} sue had stolen, and which sho was carrying' in her skirt. Then sho ran away.—Defendant O'Connell said thin, ho took no part m tho altercation. —Tho Magistrate said the evidence of Mrs Bates and her daughter was not reliable as regards o‘Conne.il’s part, and tho charge against him would be dismissed. As rcgajwJa the assault of Mrs Bates, it was evident that defend ant Bryant went further than she cared to admit. At the same time it was plain tliat Mrs Bates was in the orchard and iu a compromising attitude. Defendant Bryant would b© fined 40s and costs (£1 los). By-laws.—James Connor, May Connor, Jane Yeitoh, and John Mails were charged with dragging manuka trees over a formed road (Hull (street) in Eavensboume.—A nominal fine of Is was imposed to call attention to the by-law. Unstamped Receipt.—Hugh Thomas Slodart pleaded guilty to _ a charge of signing an unstamped receipt at Owaka in 1916. He said it was a pure oversight, which he regretted.—A fine of £2 and costs (7s) was imposed. Not Attending Drill.—For failing to attend drill, Robert Thos. Mur.ro was fined £2 and costs (7s), and Leonard Hunter 20s and costs (7s). Defendant's are Senior Cadets,