POLICE COURT.—Saturday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1144, 15 July 1867, Page 4

POLICE COURT.—Saturday.

(Before Thos. Beckham, Esq., R.M.)

DEUNKENNESS.

James Wright, Thomas and Brown, wero convicted of the above offence and published in the usual maimer. LABCENIES. William Dixon was brought /qp ■on remand, charged with haying stolen a coat, value 10s, from on board the schooner Argo, the property of William Lowe, master. Sergeant-Major Molloy informed the Bench that tho had gone to Wangarei. Mr. Wynn said this was another illustration of what he had pointed out at a previous sitting of the Court, the inconvenience and injustice of keeping persons charged with petty offences in custody, instead of disposing of them as soon as possible. In the present case tho prisoner would have to be discharged after having been two days in custody, so that there vrould either be a case, of false imprisonment or failure of justice. What was the use of their paying heavy taxes if the Government did not provide adequate machinery for the administration of the law ?

His Worship said that through the press of business it had been impossible to dispose of the case until the present moment. He must discliarge the prisoner. The prisoner asked if he could take proceedings against the prosecutor for false imprisonment. The whole affair originated in spite. His Worship said the Bench had nothing to do with the matter, and advised Sim to consult a lawyer on the subject. The prisoner was discharged. Mary Clarkson was charged with having on Thursday the 11th, stolen from the premises of Henry Hayr, Epsom, three house blocks, value 4s6d. She pleaded guilty, saying that she had picked up the articles. His Worship: It is difficult to conceive that these pettv larcenies are committed for any other purpose than to get into gaol. There must be some charm about that place that we hare not yet discovered. The' prisoner being an old offender, his Worship sentenced her to ten days'imprisonment with hard labor. Bichard Phillips and John McClintock were brought up charged with having on Friday the 12th inst., stolen a coat, value 25s 6d, from the shop of Messrs. Hay and Honeyman. They pleaded not guilty. The case having been proved by the evidence of Mr. King, an assistant in the establishment of Messrs. Hay and Honeyman, and detective Tern ah an having deposed to the apprehension of the prisoners, they were sentenced to three i months' imprisoment with hard labour.

NON-PAYMENT OF CITY BATES. John Copland was summoned by Mr. J. W. Diddams, Collector to tlie City Board, for nonpayment of city rates to the amount of £10 8s 4d. Mr. "Wynn appeared on behalf of the Board. Defendant pleaded non-liability. Itappearea that the defendant had occupied the Waitemata Hotel as a tenant under Mr. Coolahan. There was a clause in the lease that in case the building werg destroyed by ' fire Mr. Copland should oeasc to pay rent until reinstated. The hongo was burnt down, and Mr. Copland has ceased to pay rent from the date of the fire.' His defence to the present action was that having ceased to pay, rent",'and not having been reinstated, he was not liable for rates. On behalf of the Board it was contended that the defendant was legally liable, the arrangements between the parties being of no 'avail against the claim. After some, discussion Mr. Copland confessed judgment for the amount, and an understanding was come to, that time should be allowed to enable Mr. Copland to come to some arrangement with the landlord. Charles Mack was also summoned for nonpayment of rates to the amount of £4 3s 4d. Defendant did not appear, and servicc of the ■amnions having been proved, Mr. Wynn put in the City Board Act, and called ' <" John W. Diddams, who deposed that the amount was due upon a wood buflding in Albert»treet. Ordered to p'avthe amount with- c ost Thii concluded the business. ]