HASTINGS MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 27, 14 January 1911, Page 5

HASTINGS MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY

(Before Mr. S. E. McCarthy, S.M.)

Anthony Waller, whose age had apparently reached the allotted span of three score years and ten, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person without any visible means of support. “I have never been disorderly in my life,” was the old fellow’s reply on hearing the charge. “This old man gave himself up at the Police Station at 8 o’clock this morning.” said Detective Butler. “He is destitute, and has no where to go.” Continuing, the detective stated that the defendant had been sleeping out for about a month, and was anxious to get into the Old Man’s Home.

His Worship remanded Waller to appear at Napier on Monday next. UNLAWFULLY ON PREMISES. John Morrison was charged with being unlawfully on the premises of John Flynn by night, with intent to commit a crime, on January 7th. Detective Butler prosecuted, and accused was not represented by counsel. Jessie Bissett, housemaid. employed at the Hastings Hotel, gave i evidence that she went to her room about 9.15 p.m. on the night of the <th January. After being in bed some time, she heard someone trying her bedroom door, which was locked. Richard Fowler, the cook at the Hotel, occupied the room nearlv opposite her own. Heard the door near room No. 13 being tried. Got up and opened her room door to see who it was. Saw a light in room No. 13. The door was locked. Called out to the cook Fowler, but received no reply for some time. Called out three or four times. The accused came to the door. Asked him if that was the room Mr. Flynn had given him. He replied that he thought so, but did not remember which room it was. Accused then came out to the passage. and stenned back into the room again. Witness asked him to come out and show himself. Accused replied that when witness closed her door, he would close his. J Witness said that she would go down stairs, and ask the “boss” the number of the room he had: given him to sleep in. ’Witness then; closed her door, and remained inside. Heard the door of room No. 13 shnt. Opened her door again, and saw accused going down the nassage. running. Followed him along the passage, and when she reached the top of the stairs she called the “boss.” Mrs. Flvnn. came up the stairs. Witness called out “stnn him. he’s been in the rooms.” Witness then went back* to hrr room, where there was ai smell of fire. Went into mom No. 13. where there was a smell of fire.! Zona Flvnn. w jf P o f John pj vnn ' licensee of fV>o U-’ol do nosed that hr»r<*.’n in 10.10' n.m. on tho 7th ’re., ’vas enm'ng out of the dining v> v r; when she heard the last witness calling: out. Asked accused what he was doing, and he replied that he was looking for his room, and got into the wrong hotel. Called Mr. Flynn, who let him out. Witness then went upstairs to room No. 13. and found the sheets and blankets smouldering. Put tho fire out. Found the chef’s portmanteau on the floor, and the chest of drawers milled out. Examined rooms No. I. 5, i. 10. 12. and 23, and found a’* <irawe**s pulled out. Accused had no authority to l»e there. It was possible to c< • in'o the upstairs rooms by the M fir.- w.

Richard ('arvtr. .-hief cook at the Hastings Hot i, "n't* corroborative evidence as t the state he found his room in on the night of the 7th January. The bed had been set on fire. He searched the room and missed a pipe from the dressing table. The pipe producer! was the one. Did not know acu'-'-d. Edward Dwyer, police constable, gave evidence as to meeting accused about 10.20 p.in. on Saturday. January 7. and detaining him pending enquiries. Escorted accused to Napier on the Monday following. In the train asked if a magistrate could deal with the case. Witness replied that a magistrate could only commit for sentence or trial. Accused said : "They might put the dog tax on me.” Asked accused what he meant, he said, “they might declare me an habitual criminal."'

Detective th-nosed that hr met accused ?n Heretai-ncra street in company wi*h (’-ms 1 a’Je Drver. Accused denied knowing what place the Hastings Hotel was. The. pipe produced was found on accused.

To accused.- Did not charge him with the offence on the Saturday night, because he wont a wav to make enquiries about the case. Ac eused was nnf nrarlv as drunk as he pretended to he. He was shamming drunk. The Charge of drunk-

i enness was withdrawn because it , could not be substantiated. To His Worship.—Did not con r elude his enquiries till after mid ■ night.

In answer to the usual question as to whether he had anything to say, accused replied ip the negative. and pleaded not guilty. Morrison was committed to stand his trial at Napier, on February 21. Bail was not allowed. >