POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 18280, 21 May 1923, Page 8

POLICE COURT

Monday, May 21.

(Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.)

STREET BEGGING,

Charles Hunter, a strong-looking man, was charged with being deemed an idle and disorderly person, in that ho frequented the public street for the purpose of begging alms. He was further charged with failure to maintain his illegitimate child at Invercargill. Ho pleaded guilty to tho first charge. Tho Senior Sergeant said that accused had been begging round tho town and sleeping out. He was wanted on warrant for tho Invercargill matter. His Worshin remanded accused till Friday to enable inquiries to be made at Invercargill. ADJOURNMENT OPPOSED, BUT GRANTED. Charles George Wilson was charged with recklessly driving a motor car in Princes street, and, alternatively, with driving the car at a speed dangerous to tho public, Mr Hanlon appeared for the defendant, and’pleaded not guilty. He asked for an adiournment. as. owing to a mistake in his office, his witnesses had not boon notified to appear. He offered to pay tho costs. Senior-sergeant Mathieson strongly opposed tho adjournment. Ho had his witnesses there, and the alleged offence took place ns far back as April 24. Mr Hanlon deprecated tho obstruction on tho part of the senior sergeant. The police obtained remands pretty well every day, lie said, and no objection was raised by the other side. "The Senior Sergeant said that, as tho doctor was a “very busy man” ho wished his evidence taken. His Worship agreed. Dr Marion Taylor said she saw the injured man, Harold Leslie Campbell, tho morning after his admittance to the hospital. He had a fracture of both bones of both legs near the ankles. Mr Hanlon then asked for a week’s adjournment. The .Senior Sergeant said that tho adjournment was too long. ’I ho witnesses’ memories would be becoming defective all the time.

The Magistrate : You can have the other evidence taken now if you wish.

The Senior Sergeant said he would leave the rest till the case came off. He asked for 10s • for each of the witnesses. Mr Hanlon ; Who will probably lose nothing! , The five witnesses were allowed 5s each, and the matter adjourned for a week. MAINTENANCE.

■ Alexander Macaskill was proceeded against on a complaint for the maintenance of his three children, the arrears being stated at £l9 15s 4d.—Defendant said that he had been out of work and had previously earned £4 2s 6d. There was also a pension, hut he was not aware that it was to be renewed. He added that complainant, had advertised all oyer the place that she intended to ruin him. “ She may as well do it now,” he said. “ I’m as well known as a picture on the wall in this court, she has brought ho here so often.” —Defendant was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, the warrant to bo suspended so long ns he paid £6 11s by the 24th and £2 5s a week thereafter. DRUNKENNESS. Two first offenders were charged with drunkenness. One, who did not appear, was fined 20s, and the other 12s 6cL