LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6001, 10 February 1881, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

BANKRUPTCY. Re John" Purcell.—A meeting of creditors ■was held yesterday in this estate. Mr. W. Thome appeared for several creditors. It will be recollected tliat a warrant was issued from the Supreme Court for the debtor's arrest. He was arrested by Detective Jeffrey, and a sum of £52 was found upon him. Mr. Thome said it was clear the bankrupt had concealed and removed certain moneys. There was a sum of £200 and upwards which had to be accounted for. He thought that the creditors should take some steps to prosecute the debtor under the Fraudulent Debtor Act. On the motion of Mr. R. Iv. Davies, seconded by Mr. Waller, the Trustee (Mr. Macffarlane) was instructed "To prosecuce the debtor under the Fraudulent Debtors Act, IS7S, the costs of such prosecution to be paid ont of the moneys in hand." This concluded the business. POLICE COURT.—Wednesday. [Before J. E. Macdonald, Esq., U.M. ] Larceny.—James McDonald was charged with stealing fruit on the Sth instant. Prisoner was remanded for eight days. Breach of the Peace.—Charles Richardson and Samuel Dittmore were charged under the Vagrant Act with fighting in Fort-street on the night of the Sth. After hearing the evidence, His Worship fined them 5s each, or 48 hours' imprisonment. Assault.—Lucy Armstrong and Annie Bell charged on summons with unlawfully assaulting Fanny Pridmore, by biting and scratching her, &c., on the 30th ultimo. Lucy Armstrong admitted the assault, but | pleaded that prosecutrix had first insulted her. Annie Bell pleaded not guilty. Fanny Catherine Pridmore deposed to the assault, which occurred while going to the Sunday evening services at the Theatre Royal, on the evening of the 30th ult. The two girls, without any provocation, made anattack upon her. William Miller and Nellie Pridmore gave corroborative evidence. William Wiggins, Ellen Laird, and John Smith gave evidence I for the defence, but nothing material was disclosed. Mrs. Ellen Pridmore, mother of complainaut, stated to the Bench that defendants had a grudge against her daughters because she did not permit them to associate with defendants. Her desire was to bring up her children properly. His Worship said that he had ascertained that the Pridmore family were respectable people, and that the girls had given no cause of offence to the accused. He might call upon the defendants to find sureties, and get them bound over to keep the peace for three or six months, a step which might lead to their imprisonment for that term. He was averse to sending young girls to gaol, and would adjourn the case for a month, to see their style of conduct. If defendants insulted or assaulted Miss Pridmore, in the interval, the sureties would be called for. As it was, they must pay for the present assault, 5s and costs. Destitute Children's Act. — George Burgess was committed to the Howe-street Industrial School for five years, and ordered to be brought up- in the faith of the Church of England. ONEHUNGA R.M. COURT. Wednesday. [Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.] Vagrant Act.—Henry Booth was charged with being unlawfully on premises at night. - Defendant pleaded guilty, but said he was drunk, and went for a sleep. Sergeant Greene said defendant was seen on the verandah without his coat and boots. It was nearly 11 o'clock at night, and he was peeping through the windows of the house owned and occupied by Captain Bradley, whose wife was alone in the house with her children, and was retiring to bed. The boots and coat were left outside the garden gate. Sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour.—[Own Correspondent, February 9.]