POLICE COURT.—Monday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5636, 9 December 1879, Page 6

POLICE COURT.— Monday.

[Befure K. C. B*r»toiv. Esij., R.M ] Larceny.—Xthon Chilklin was charged with stealing one fishing-line, oae fishinghcok, one small mirror, and a quantity ot" sugar, worth Ss, the property of John Knox, from the bo3t Flying Fish, on sth inst. Defendant pleaded not guilty. John Knox, a fisherman in Freeman's Bay, deposed that he left his boat on Friday high and dry on the beash, and was only absent about ten minutes. He had been told that a boy was on board his boat, and on coming saw the defendant there, and coming out of it. On going on board, he saw his things all lying about, and niissed the articles named. This 1 was corroborated by Wm. Knox, brother of last witness, and the constable. The defendant admitted having taken some sugar, but nothing else. His Worship said that he had admitted being guilty of one dishonest act, that of taking the sujar, and also going into the boat, where he had no right to go. If he took one of the missing articles, it was natural to su-pect him of having takeD the others, as a boy who U no: strictly honest, and takes a little thin,; that does not belong to him, is just as likely to take bicger thiDgs when he has a chance. As Lis family were respectable bis VYorship would not send him to gaol, and being too old to send to the Naval Training School, he sentenced him to pay a tine of 10s, as compensation to the fishermen for their loss ot time, or, in default, to suffer four days' imprisonment. Missixg Ostrich Feathers.—Mary R-gan was charged with stealing two ostrich feathers, worth £% the property of Samuel Frederick Mayhew, on the Gch inst. Mr. Tyler appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty, and stated that the defendant was barmaid of the Occidental Hotel. Mr. Mayhew, the complainant, stated that he had gone to the bar for driuk, and that he sat down, putting a. small parcel, containing two ostrich feathers, on a table beside him. The defendant, who served him, took the parcel up, and went into the bar with it. After a few minutes she brought it back, and laid it down. On seeing that it was empty, he asked her where the feathers were, and she denied repea'.edly having taken them. He was at several places before he went to the Occidental, and was quite sober when he went there. Mrs. Coster, milliner, deposed to having sold the feathers to Mr. Mayhew, and thought it just possible that the feathers might have been dropped out of the parcel in the streets, and some gentlemen could carry it along even after that without knowing they were gone. She had repeatedly known of such accidents happening. The constable deposed to hiving searched the bar and office of the Occidental immediately after he was informed, bat found no feathers. Mr. Tyler said it was a most improbable story ; for, woald it be likely that the girl would lay the parcel down again before the complainant if she had taken the feathers ? The defendant had hitherto borne so high a character that he would not take np the time of the court in making any further remarks. His Worship said he thought complainant must have been mistaken, and that he must have dropped th« feathers before he went to the Occidental. He therefore dismissed the case. Selling Liquor our of Hours.—Thos. Thompson Anderson was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act, IS7I, by supplying alcoholic liquor in the Metropolitan Hotel after 12 o'clock midnight and before t> o'clock in the morning to one Elizabeth Cnlahaw, on the 2nd in3tant. Mr. Hestcth appeared for the defendant, and admitted that the offence charged was committed. It had b-en the practice of hotelkeepers tc open their houses very early in the morning. This house was near the wharf, and was open very early that morning. Mr. Anderson had not been very long in the business, and had only continued a practice that he found existing when he came. He would, therefore ask 3 the ends of justice would not be met by such an unconditioual admission, and promise that in future the law would be strictly adhered to. Sergeant Martin saiii this had been a custom, but it had been pressed. However, he had been requested by Superintendent Thompson to state thai he would, on Mr. Anderson undertaking that in the future this wonld not happen, be content to withdraw the charge. Hi 3 Worship said that in nine cases out of tea when publicans were brought up before him for breaches of the Licensing Act, he had found thai they were totally ignorant of the pro visions of the Act, and he hoped that thej would make themselves thoroughly ac quainted with what they could and what they could not do. In this case he wonlc alioiv the charge to be withdrawn, on Mr, Anderson's promiße that his house wonlc never again be open before six in the morn ing. Sunday Liquor-selling.—Thomas Hooc was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act, by supplying alcoholic liquor in thf Masonic Hotel, to one George Strong, ot Sunday, 30th ultimo. Defendant pleadec guilty under extenuating circumstances He said that Strong came in, com plaining of being unwell, and that he die give him some drink. Sergeant Martin saie this was a mild case ; that there was no oni in the house but Strong, and that he defendant's house had been closed all day His Worship would inflict in this case only i nominal fine of ss, and costs 7s.