POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 19186, 1 March 1926, Page 2

POLICE COURT

MONDAY, MARCH 1. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.). DRUNKENNESS. A male first offender, who did not appear, was lined the amount of his bail (20s), in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. _ Another first offender was fined 10s, in default twentyfour hours’ imprisonment.' TOO LAZY TO WORK. “ If you will not work elsewhere, you will have to work in gaol,” said the magistrate to James Woods, a young native charged with disobedience of an order in respect to the support of his illegitimate child. “ The police say you are lazy and not anxious to obtain work so long as you'can live with your sister and her husband,” said the magistrate. “Is that true?”

“ Yes, sir,” answered defendant, who lazily leaned against the rail of the witness box with a perpetual smile.

Woods was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, his release to be obtained so long as lie paid 10s a week and 5s a week off the arrears. ORDER BROKEN.

“ They will have to go without bread if we keep him,” said Seniorsergeant Quartennain in respect to Harry Richard Brett, the baker of a small town north of Dunedin, who was charged with drunkenness and with breach of a prohibition order. His Worship decided to give Brett another chance, and on the first charge imposed a fine of 20s and on the second a fine of 40s. “THAT’S MY DESCRIPTION.”

“ They’ve got me pretty well placed; that’s my description. But 1 can’t call the woman to mind,” said Montague Siverton, charged with failing to maintain his illegitimate child. Chief-detective Lewis explained that defendant was arrested at the Exhibition, where he was employed. His name and description were those of the man wanted at Christchurch.

Siverton was remanded to appear at Christchurch on March 3. THROUGH A WINDOW.

Joseph Augustine Murray was charged with on February 28 committing mischief by wilfully breaking two panes of glass, valued at 30s, and two glass door panels, valued at 225, the property of Grace Blackie. Accused pleaded guilty.

Senior-sergeant Quartennain said Murray was separated from his wife. There were three children, two of whom were in a home, and the other with the complainant. Jn a drunken condition Murray went to complainant’s house, and climbed through the window into Ids son’s room.

Murray handed in a lengthy statement, which ho requested His Worship to read “ right through to the end,” as it would explain his position. His Worship, however, was evidently not particularly impressed with the statement, for he ordered Murray to nmke good the damage, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. The police were asked to make inquiries in respect to the position of the hoy.

AWAY FROM TEMPTATION

Dominick M’Loughlin was charged with, on February 18, procuring liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order, and also with entering licensed premises.

Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr E. J. Smith, on behalf of defendant, said that apart from M'Loughlin’s fondness for drink, he was a hardworking man, having driven a coal cart in Mornington for fourteen years. He had a family of nine children, five of whom were at school. A brother had come to tho conclusion that M’Loiiglilin would be better away from the temptation of the bars in Dunedin, and had offered to give defendant a job on his farm near Oainaru. The brother wouldforward the wages direct to the family in town. Defendant was prepared to leave this afternoon. .

His Worship pointed out that defendant had been before the court but a short time ago. He would be given another chance, however, on condition that he went to tho country as arranged. On the charge of entering licensed premises he would he convicted and discharged, and on the charge of procuring liquor would ho convicted and ordered to come up for sentence any time within six months. GUILTY OF RESISTING. Sidey Harris pleaded not guilty to a sparge or uulawiuily assaulting Oonstaolo iMCoI on January 21, and guilty to a cuarge of resisting the constable while in the execution of his duty. Constable Nicol said ho was making inquiries with respect to a theft that had been committed. Harris gave him the name " Charles Mitchell, ol Howe street,” and witness, to verity that, said bo would accompany accused home. When they got near Howe .street accused told witness he could not come any further, and adopted a lighting attitude. Witness put his bicycle- over a leuce and attempted to arrest Harris. One of the friends of Harris was there, and made such a nuisance o! himself that Harris got away. Witness followed on Ids bicycle and caught. Harris. whom ho handcuffed after a violentstruggle. In reply to Mr A. G. Neill, who appeared for accused, the countable said that Harris led the way after giving bis address. Harris hit him on the side of tho face without v anting. Witness called on Polwarth to assist him. but Polwarth would not do ,o.

Defendant, a watersider, stated that Polwarth and ho were on the way from the Exhibition when they met two others, who invited them to -Inre in a bottle of rum. They decided to got some more, and took a “ must t.” Then the constable came along. W itness told the constable he low! in “ Howard street,” not “Howe sMvet ” Witness denied having hit_ the constable, though he resisted him. His Worship said tho evidence, of the constable and accused varied in one or two particulars. The constable said be wished to know where _ accused lived and would accompany him home. Accused said he said “ Howard street,” and not “Howe street.” There was no doubt in His Worship's mind, however, that Harris gave a wrong address. There was some doubt, however, as to whether the assault took place before the constable wont to rrrost him or afterwards. The charge of assault would be dismissed, but on the charge of resisting Harris would be fined £5, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment Harris was further charged with the theft of a lady’s fur coat valued at £lB. the property of Elizabeth May Hanson*

On the application of Mr Neill accused was remanded for one week, bail of £SO being allowed, with one surety of a like amount. ORDERS DISOBEYED.

Richard James Hardman, for disobedience of a maintenance order, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, his release to be obtained on payment of arrears amounting to £l6 2sHenry Ernest Foote was charged with disobedience of an order in respect to the support of his wife.—Mr A. A. Finch (for the maintenance officer): “You’re rather addicted to drink, arent’ you?”—Defendant: 2 Yes. I like the drink; that is the trouble, but my wife won’t give me a chance.”—His Worship sentenced defendant to three montlis’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as he paid 30s a week and 7s 6d off the arrears.—Defendant: “ Thank yon very much; I will see to it. I will keep up the payments.” John Percival Mathieson. for failing to comply with the terras of a maintenance order, was sentenced to. three

months' imprisonment in Wellington Prison, his release to be obtained on payment of arrears (£l3 10s). _ Throe months’ imprisonment in Invereargill Prison was the sentence imposed on Archibald Stewart, who was charged with disobedience of a main--tenance order, his release to be obtained on payment of the arrears (£ls 3s 4d).