LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6297, 23 January 1882, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.—Saturday. I [Wore Messrs. C. C. .McMillan and F. L. Prime, Justices.] Assault.—Patrick O'Kecfe and John JBreunan were charged that they did, on the 11th instuit, unlawfully assault John Hughes, by throwing stones at him and striking him on the head. Sir. Kcetley appeared for Brennai), and pleaded not guilty. O'Keefe admitted throwing stones, but not at Mr. Hughes. Mr. Pardy stated the case. The two defendants were youths. The prosecutor, an old man, was suffering from weak eyes, and was in the habit of bathing them in sea water. He became an object of sport to a number of larrikins, one of whom, he believed, the plaintiff could satisfy the Court, threw a stone which struck the old man. Michael Ryan deposed to seeing a stone thrown liy O'Keete, towards the old man, who roared out and put his hand to his head. Witness walked away, and so did the others. The prosecutor went down the wharf with Sergeant Martin. There were five of them together, but the only stone thrown was by (J'Keefe. In reply to Mr. Kectley the witness said tbe old man was stooped towards the water bathing his eyes when the stone was thrown. The prosecutor also gave evidence, and deposed that when bathing his eyes at the steps in the evening, he saw the boy O'Ketfe standing watching him for two or three minutes, but did not suspect he was doing anything until suddenly he was struck by a stone. The boy Brennan then ran away. He was sure it was he who | struck him, for he was caught by {•crgeaut Martin, and a boatman told him where he had run to. To Mr. Keetley : He could not see the boy throw the stone, but he saw Brennan watehinghim for three minutes, and when the stone struck witness Brennan ran away. George Henry deposed to seeing the stone strike the old man. It came from where the boys were standing, but he could not tell which of them threw it. Sergeant Martin deposed that he brought the boys up from the end of the wharf to where the old man was. He at once caught Brennan, and tried to throttle him, hut witness prevented him. Both denied throwing stones. The case against Brennan was dismissed. Mr. Keetley then addressed the Court in mitigation of punishment for the other defendant, but he had already been convicted of a similar offence. The defendant said he threw the stone at a. pile, not at the old man. A fine of 2s and costs was imposed, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment. The costs amounted to ISs. The fine was paid. 'NiiCLiOENT Driver.—Benjamin Armitage was charged with leaving his hackney carriage unattended in Queen-street. He pleaded not guilty. Constable O'Connor deposed to seeing the carriage in Queenstreet, at the corner of Vulcan-lane, drawn up by the kerb, and defendant was over on the stand conversing with the cabmen. He said he was engaged, and had a perfect right to be where he was. Defendant said he was within three pace 3 of his horses' heads, and had perfect control of them. He asked for an adjournment to produce witnesses, which was granted, till Tuesday. CiiiMXtY os Fikk. —Samuel Martin was charged with allowing the chimney of his house in Cook-street to be on fire. He admitted that it did take fire accidentally. He had no means to pay a fine, as he was in ill health, but if the Bench looked over it this time, it would not occur again. The case was dismissed, with a caution. Assault. —John Pollock was charged with assaulting August Burmeister by smashing a looking-glass on his head and striking him twice on the lips with his clenched fist. Defendant did not appear. Service of the

summons was proved, and a warrant was issued for his apprehension. Another Case. —Michael Kirby was charged with assaulting Charles A. Martin by strih ing him on the nose with his clenched fist. There was no appearance of either prosecutor or defendant, and the case was struck out. Another Case. — James Kennedy was charged with assaulting Mary Ifioe by catching her by the throat and striking her repeatedly on the face and breast with his clenched fist. The parties did not appear, and the case was struck out.