POLICE COURT.—MONDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5498, 1 July 1879, Page 6

POLICE COURT.—MONDAY.

[BeforaK. C. Barstow, Esq., K.M.I -Dkunkenness. —Four persons were fined for this offence. Window Sjiashisg.—John Prodie Russell was charged' with breaking three panes ot glass, worth 4a 6d, the property oE Thomas Freeson ; two panes of glase, worth 3s, the property of Mr. Holland; two panes of glass; worth £3 Ss 6d, tha property of Adam Brock; and one pane of glass, worth 15s, the property of K. Browning. Prisoner said he had no recollection of what happened, Mr. Pardy stated that he waa aorry Mr. Russell's memory was bo bad, but for some time past complaints had been made about windows being broken, but the police were too smart for the prisoner on Sunday night. Constable Dodd deposed that he arrested the priaonar on the charges named. He was under the influence of drink at the time, and resisted furiously. Mm. Freeson, Mr. Holland, Mr. Brock, and Mr, Browning deposed that they found their windows smaahed this morning. They gave prisoner no authority to break the windows. Prisoner pleaded drunkenness, and was fined 40s and costs for each offence, or (in default) five months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Stealing A Watch.—William Wilkinson, •n remand, was charged with ..stealing a silver watch, and a gold chain worth £10, the property of Hugh McCormick. On the application of Mr. Pardy this case was remanded for one day, as Mr. Tyler, who would appear for the prisoner, was engaged in another Court. The remand was granted.

Stealing a Lady's Dress. — George Edward Harris, on remand, was charged with stealing a lady's dress, the property of Alexander McGregor. Mr. Laiehley appeared, for the prisoner, and pleaded not guilty. Mary Ann Carey deposed that she knew the prisoner and his wife. Iα March last prisoner owed her rent. The wife gave her the dress in part payment. [Dress produced]. Detective Jeffrey deposed that he knew the prisoner. Accompanied by Detective Strathearn, he went to the house of the latt witness, and procured the dress. He then went to the prisoner's houtie, and asked Him where he got the dross. He said he was the mate of the Kowena. Somebody left the dress on board, and, as he did not find the owner, he took the dress home. K. Wright deposed that he was accountant for Mr. McGregor. Prisoner ehould have taken the dress to'the office. He had no right to take it away. Cross-examined by Mr. Laishley: The dress might have been left on board inadvertently by a passenger. There had been no application for the dress. Thia being the evidence for the prosecution, Mr. Laishley addressed the Court for the defence. He thought the only evidence there was to shew that the prisoner took the dress was hia own confession. There was no evidence to shew that there was an owner. His Worship thought there were grave doubts as to the owner. The captain was not the owner, unless the dress was given into his charge, of which there wa3 no evidence to shew. He mutt dismiss the prisoner. Aiieged Stealing op a Coat. — John Ludlow, on remand, was charged with stealing a coat worth 30s, the property of John Kyaa. Mr. Laiahley appeared for the prieoner, and pleaded not guilty. John JJyan deposed that his son-in-law was going . to Whangarei with his son. He lent his Bon-ia-law a coat. He did not see the coat again until the detective had it. Antony Savage deposed that he was a son-in-law of the last witness. In April last he went to Whangarei in the cutter Whangarei. The last witness lent him a coat. He left it with the captain to return it to the last witness. Michael Lynn, deposed that he was captain of the cutter Whangarei in April last. Savage went to Whangarei with him. He left a coat in his chargo. When he was asked for it it was gone. Cross-examined by Mr. Laishley : I did not lend the coat to prisoner. I offered to lend him o'ne, tut he would not accept it.jDetective Strathearn deposed that he arrested the prisoner on the charge. Prisoner said he was taking charge of the coat. This being the evidence in the case, Mr. Laishley addressed the Court, and stated that the coat was lent to prisoner. After the prisoner left the cutter, ha took the coat to the Britomart Hotel, and ordered it to be returned to Mr. Ryan. Mr. Pardy said, if such was the faot, that the prisoner left the coat at the hotel, to be returned to the prosecutor,' there was no use taking np the time of the Conrt. This fact was quite new to him. Mr. Fernandez deposed that prisoner left the coat at his hotel, and told him to give it to Mr. Kyan when he called for it. Mr. Pardy said if he had been aware of thie fact before, he would not have prosecuted the prisoner. His Worship diemiseed the charge, and told the accused that he had borrowed the coat for a rather long time. False Pretekces.—John Drake, on remand, was charged with obtaining the sum of £3 10a, by means of certain false pretences, from William Dennis Veal. Mr. Cooper appeared for the prosecution, and stated that it was not the intention of the prosecutor to press for a heavy penalty. Prisoner said it was his intention to pay back the money. Mr. Pardy said prisoner Tas an old resident in Auckland, and was never before the Court previously. His Worship said he was sorry to see him in his present position. Taking his previous good character into consideration, he would only pass a light sentence of six weeks' imprisonment, with hard labour.

The annual meeting of ratepayers in the Mount Wellington Highway District is advertised to be held at the Ellerelie Hotel, o» the 16th of July, at 2 p.m., to elect trustees, auditors, and fence-viewers. The superiority of cooking by Uas is beyond dispute. Mr. Soyer, the late renowned chef of the Keform Club, London, achieved all his triumphs of the cuisine by the use oE Gas. The advantage in convenience, cleanliness, and economy are quite as great relatively in the case of the smallest family, as in that of the largest public institution, if the Gas be properly burned, and carefully used. At a recent show in Birmingham, the following result was obtained by practical experiment with a Gas Stove :—A. joint weighing nine pounds, a large family pio, a couple of ducks, two sorts of vegetables, fish, and soup, were all cooked at one time in the space of two hours, consuming about 40 feet of gas, which at Auckland prices would be 6d. The Stoves are to bo obtained cheap, and Mr. Parsons, the Secretary of tie Gas Company, will b« glad to giro my information on the subject.