POLICE COURT.—Tuesday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2905, 21 May 1873, Page 3

POLICE COURT. —Tuesday.

[Before P. A. Philips, Esq., Mayor.] Drunkenness. —Four persons were punished for this offence. YAGHANcr. —Cecilia Gates was charged on remand with having no lawful means of support. Tho prisoner pleaded not guilty. Inspector Broliam stated that the prisoner had been examined by medical men, who stated that she was in a sound state of mind. The case was proved, and the prisoner sentenced to two months' imprisonment. Merchant Shipping Act.—John Greg;, an A.8., pleaded guilty to a chargo of a breach of tho above Act, by wilful disobedience to orders on board the ship Edinburgh Castle, on the 6th inst. The defendant stated that he had refused to work, but that he did eo because he was in danger of his life in the ship, and wanted to leave it. He had been kept, on bread and water for eleven days. His Worship said that if the prisoner had been ill-used ho had his remedy, it was no excuso for his disobedience of orders. The prisoner said he had no money to employ counsel for lii 3 defence, much less to prosecute the captain. Mr. Beveridge said that as it was not right for a man to suffer simply because he had not the money to employ a solicitor for his defence, he would appear on his behalf and conduct the defence. He applied to have the case remanded until this day, in order that ho might consult with tho prisoner with reference to the ease. The Bench said that the prisoner had already pleaded guilty. Mr. Beveridge : lie has pleaded guilty, but under circumstances in which he was justified in refusing to obey orders. The prisoner was allowed to withdraw his plea, and the case was adjourned until Wednesday (today) . Doo Nuisauce Act. —Tho following persons were fined for neglecting to register their i dogs.—John Lincoln, Is and costs ; William Adams, ditto. A similar charge against Jeremiah Regan was dismissed, upon payment of costs.—The cases against Thomas Aldridge, James Woods, and E. Hallant wore dismissed. Cases against Robert Alexander and Henry Adams wero remanded until this day.

Indecent Assault. — John Nicholas was charged with indecently assaulting Mary Ann McMillan, a child under 12 years of age, on the 181 h instant. Mr. Joy appeared for tho prosecution and Mr. Beveridge for the defence. Oil the application of Sir. Joy, tho ca9o whs adjourned until this moruinu, bail being allowed the prisoner, in two sureties of £50 euch, and his own bond for £100. Assault.—James Ingham was charged with assaulting Kllen Brown on the 16th instant, by kicking her, knocking her down, and rendering her insensible. Mr. .Russell appeared for tho complainant and Mr. H. Cornford for tho defence. Tho witnesses were ordered out of Court, and Mr. Russell, having opened the ease, called Dr. Baynton, who deposed: On Saturday last I was called in to attend Mrs. Brown. When I saw her she said she had fainted several times duriug the day; her pulse was weak, and she showed me several marks or bruises. She compluined of paius in the chest, and said some one had stood or knelt upon her. Her hand was sprained and swollen. Tho bruises must have been made by an instrument or by being kicked. Her nervous system was suffering from the effects of the assault. The complainant is a respectable, quiet, and orderly person. To Mr. Cornford : The bruises miglit have been caused by a fall on the ground. Ellen Brown, the complainI ant, deposed : I am wife of Mr. Wm. Brown ; on Eriday last I was in my own house, when the defendant came to the door, and some language which I considered offen sive. I asked him to excuse me, as I did nol want to talk to him. I then tried to shut th( door, when he used very bad language, ant struck mo on the side of the head. He got lr a violent passion and flew at me. I then tool up, a piece of iron und said, " if you don t g< out of this I will throw this at you." He tool the pieca of iron from me, and draggec me out of the house. When he ha dragged me out ho struck me violently on th side of the head; and after that I scarcel. know what happened, except that I struggle l

with him. When I became conscious I was five or six yards from the bouse. The prisoner was kneeling on me, and I could not breathe. Prisoner was dragging me, he said, to the Police Court. "When I got up I brought my child to take it to a neighbour's, when he caught me by the throat and thrust me back, saying that I should not pass hia door, and that he would send for a policeman and give me in charge. I have suffered greatly from the injuries received. The witness was crosseiainined at considerable length by Jlr. Cornford. The case was adjourned until Wednesday (to-day).