LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7005, 30 April 1884, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT—Tuesday. [Before Messrs F. L. Prime and f. ICaguire, J.Ki.l DsßNKE.v.vEss. — Three persona were pun. lsoed for this offence. Kailway Kigctlations — A Frivolous Charge.—James Burke and William Coppel. charged with travelling in a railway carriage OQ the Onehuiiga iUiiway without having previouily paid their fares, and with intent to evade payment. The defendant* ia thig case were the head and sub bailiffs of the 'e»ident Magistrate's Court. Mr. Theo. Cooper appeared for Burke and Mr. Bramey for Coppei. They were also charged with using insulting language to a railway guard by saying "shut up. T, Mr. Maguiro deciined to hear the charges against Coppel, in wuich Mr. Brassey appeared, and the oaaea against Burke were proceeded with. Joieph Hardwick, station-master, deposed that he was at the EUerslie racecourse platform on the day in question, the 15th of April, from ninu o'clock, till twelve. He saw the defendant, who got out of the train with as RUerelie ticket. He should have had a racecourse ticket, the difference in prioe being 2s. Witness demanded the extr* money, but he refused, saying he had something in his pocket which would admit him through the gates, but he did not show it. (Sergeant White suggested that it might have been a revolver.) Witness told one of the men to take his name, and defendant politely told him to "shut up," and crossed trie rails. Cross-examined : There waa oaly a platform at the racecourse, no station, *M the train only stopped there on raoe day*. tie got out of the train before reaching EUerslie, and told witness he did not waat to go on the racecourse but to go to the Harp of Erin, and he went in that direction. The extra 2s was charged for admission to tne racecourse by arrangement with the Racing Club. Witness had no uniform on, and did not tell defendant that he was a railway official. The guard, to whom Burke was talking, appeared to acquiesce. He heard Barke aay something about a warrant. Witness interfered, and Burke told him to "shut up." Micnael Neville, ticket collector, gave corroborative evidence. Mr. Burke told him he had a warrant out to execute, and that he did not want to go to tl.e racecourse. He was quite courteous and civil. William Stanton, another ticket collector, gave similar evidence. Mr. Cooper contended that the case must be dismissed. There was nothing in the by-laws to prevent any peraoa breaking the journey, and abaa. donirg the remainder of the jouruey, to which his ticket entitled him. The cases were dismissed with coats, and thoie against Coppel were also dismissed.

Lakck.vy.—James Little was charged with stealing a gold chain and locket, worth £3, the property of S. H. Burroingham, on the 27th instaut. Mr. brassey appeared for the • lefenaant, and pleaded not guilty. Mr. Georye Burns, and Constable Hansen gave evidence. Defendant waa cilled, and dt-pesed that he was a commission agent. He admitted taking the chaia, but only for the purpose of wearing it for the nay. He brought it back in the evening, and did not iutend to steal tne chain. The Bench found defendant guilty, and said that it ho had only taken the chain to wear for the day, he would have returned it to the drawer irom which he took it in the eveninj<. Sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, with hard labour.

111-trkvting a Horse. —A charge of ill. treating a horse, preferred against George Leahy, was adjourned to Thursday.