POLICE COURT.-Friday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3993, 29 August 1874, Page 3

POLICE COURT.-Friday.

[Before Dr. ilorne and H. Isaacs (Mayor), &qa, Justices.] Drunkenness.—Four persons pleaded guilty to the above offence, and were each fined 5s and costs. Assault.—Frederick Brett was charged with assaulting his wife on the 27th inst. The charge was proved by the evidence of the complainant, and the defendant was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Threatening Language.—Aubrey Fitzgerald was charged with having used threatening and abusive language towards his wife oil the 25tli inst. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Sir. Coleman conducted the case for the prosecutrix. Sarah Jane Fitzgerald, wife of the defendant, deposed that she had been residing with her husband until the 25th of August. When she told him that she would summons him for the support pf herself and child, he said that if she did so she should never walk again. On a previous occasion he had also threatened her. Witness was afraid that her husband would do her some grievous bodily harm if not restrained. She brought the present charge simply for the purpose of obtaining protection, and not from malice or ill-will. Corroborative evidence was given, and the defendant was ordered to find two sureties of £25 each, and to enter into his own bond in the sum of £50 to keep the peace for six months, and to pay the costs of the ease. A Disorderly House.—William Bates was charged with being the occupier of a house in West Queen-street, frequented by persons having no lawful means of support. Sergeant Sauderson and Constable Mulville gave evidence in support of the charge, and the prisoner was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

City Kates.—James Dyer was summoned for the non-payment of ±'3 due as city rates. The case was proved iu the usual manner, judgment given for the plaintiff'. City By-Laws.—Henry Sims pleaded guilty to a breach of the above laws by throwing a piece of orange peel oil the footpath. Inspector Broham said that he did not desire to press for a penalty in this case, but to shew that the by-law had come into operation against the dangerous practice of scattering orange peel on the footpath. The Bench thought it very commendable oil the part of the authorities to bring such cases forward, but, in consideration of the remarks by AI r. Broham, the case was dismissed with costs.—William I'earse was charged with allowing the chimney of the house occupied by him to take lire. The evidence in support of the charge having been concluded, Mr. Laisliley raised the following objections : 1. That the constable had no authority to sue. 2. That the Corporation must sue in its corporate name. 3. That it must be shewn that the city was within the municipal district, and that by the 3S3rd section of the Act it became necessary that the City Council should authorise the proceedings, of which there was no evidence whatever. The Bench said that, having so main - precedents it would overrule the objections, aud the defendant was tined 10s aud costs. —William Wolsley and Thomas Dickinson were each fined os and costs for similar offences.

Municipal Police Act.— George McC'aslin was charged with having committed a breach of the above Act by furiously riding a pony along the Kpsom road. The evidence having been taken, Mr. Joy, who appeared for the defendant, raised the objection thai Epsom ro.id was not within the municipal district, and as this objection was admitted to be fatal to the case, it was dismissed.—Robert and Richard Duder, for allowing horses to stray at Devonport, were each lined 10s and costs.