LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7268, 5 March 1885, Page 3

LAW AND POLIC E.

MEETING OF CREDITORS. Michael Luther, labourer, East Tamaki.— An adjourned meeting of creditors In this estate was held yesterday at the Official Assignee's office. Mr. Laweon read the bankrupt's statement made in his official examination, »nd in reply to creditors, made explanations regarding his affaire and position. He had the lease of a house with six years to run, but the person from whom he leased had the power to take the house at a valuation at the end of two years. The debtor expressed his regret that he was not able at present to pay, bnt promised that if he got time be would pay in full. —A resolution was passed, on the motion of Mr. Bennett, "That time be granted, and that he be allowed to retain his home, and his horse and cart and other property, to enable him to retrieve his position, leaving it to his own honesty to pay them when he was in a position to do so." Demur's Examination. Henbt Am drew Ellis6n.—This debtor, in his examination on oath before the Official Assignee yesterday, eaid: —l commenced business in Queen-street, Auckland, as a tobacconist and fancy goods dealer about seven months ago. I was quite solvent, with £170 in cash, clear, to the good, I inrested this money in stock. I got very little credit. The first month my business inoreased, and I dealt with the wholesale houses on the usual terms, beyond what I was able to pay in cash. I had no difficulty in getting credit, but only availed myself of it to meet my increased business. I consider that I am at the present time perfectly solvent, but one of my creditors aued me for the balance- of a running account, and got judgment for £25 2s. I owed £205 in all, and felt that the others were just as much entitled to their money as the sueing firm, and consequently I called my creditors together, explained my position, and placed myself in their hands. There was a general expression of friendly feeling towards me, and a willingness to give me time, provided the judgment creditor would agree. This the latter refused to do, and thereupon I Was advised to file. My stock-in-trade is in good and saleable condition, and at cost is worth £180. The, book debts are good for £12 ; being a single man, I have only a little furniture, which I valued at £20. There is also 184 acres of land in the Wairoa JSorth district worth £560, on which there is a mortgage of £304. These valuations of my assets ■bow a supplus of £252 10s 10d over my indebtedness. lam prepared to make a proposal at the first meeting of creditors, which I have reason to believe will be acceptable. LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETINGS. AUCKLAND BAST. The quarterly licensing meeting ot the Auckland Eafifc Committee was held yesterday at the Resident Magistrate's Court. Present: Mr. Joseph Newman (Chairman), Messrs. John Edson, Robert Fry, Thomas B. Hill, and John Buchanan. Mr. Superintendent Thomson represented the police. , Globe Hotel.—This was an. application from John Gallagher to transfer the license of the Globe Hotel, Wakefield street, to Michael Lynch. Mr. C. S. George appeared in support of the application.—The Chairman asked what connection Michael Lynch had with the disgraceful quarrel at tho King's Arms Hotel?— Mr. Thomson said that the applicant's brother was the licensee of the hotel at the time when an altercation took place, and in the souffle Michael Lynch got his arm so much injured that it had been found necessary to amputate his arm. When the applicant applied to him as to whether he should oppose the application, he pointed out that through losing his right arm he was deprived of the means of earning hie living at his trade, that of a blacksmith, and should seek lighter employment. He assured him (Mr. Thomson) that he had received such a lesson then, that it would be a warning to him all his life, and that he had given overdrinking, and he (Mr. Thomson) told him that it Was on these conditions only that he should support his application. The only complaint against the house was that music had been allowed in it as an attraction, and there wore also allegations that Sunday trading had taken place, bat the police were not in a position to support this, although the house had been under surveillance,—The Chairman eaid that complaints had reached the committee regarding this applicant and the house. The committee desired to get a better cla«s cf people to conduct publichouses, and under clause 89 they had the power to refuse the transfer.—Mr. George suggested that it would be only fair to Mr. Lynch that the committee should adjourn tba application. Since the affair referred to, Mr, . Lynch had borne a good character, and his wife was a most respectable woman. They were not of course aware of the nature of any anonymous reports which had reached the committee, but he believed that since Mr. Lynch had charge of this house it had been kept strictly closed on Sundays. The house, as Mr. Superintendent Thomson had told them, had been under surveillance for the last fortnight, and there had been no complaint. Tne applicant was a man who had lost his arm, and was deprived of his means of living. He bad to pay money to get into this house, and had to borrow from his friends, and if his license was refused his position would be destitute.—Mr. E. Hesketh said that not being interested in this case, either for the applicant or the owner, he might state to the Bench there was an action pending in the District Court for commission on the sale of this property in which the applicant Lynch was a witness. They were surprised to hear that the house was not well conducted, as they were instructed to the contrary, and he would therefore ask the committee either to grant the application or to grant the adjournment asked for by his friend.—The Chairman said the committee felt justified in refusing the application, considering the disgraceful brawl which had taken place at the King's Arms Hotel on the Sabbath, but they were quite willing to grant an adjournment. They did not hold out hopes that the applicant would get the transfer, but. they would give him the opportunity to make any explanation which he thought proper. They would adjourn the application -until Tuesday week. Swan Hotel, Mechanics' Bay.—This was an application for the transfer of the license of the Swan Hotel from John Gallagher to Eeziah Forrester. Mr. F. Earl appeared for the applicant, and asked that, as there was no objection, the transfer should be granted. The Chairman asked Mr. Thomson for some information as to the transferee. —Mr. Thomson said she came from Tβ Kopuru, where she had kept a boardinghouse, and she was in every respeot a vory respectable person. It was, however, his duty to inform the committee that there had been a charge of Sunday trading against the house, but it was dismissed.—Mr. Earl said the case was dismissed on its merits.—The Chairman said they would have to ask Mr. Thomson to give them information regarding this charge, and would adjourn the application until Monday week, as the committee felt that they should have all the circumstances of the case before them.—Mr. Hesketh said he had one question to ask for information,. that was ; that the applicant having stood a trial on this charge once, and bein# acquitted, should she be tried again by this Bench ? That, he submitted, would be unfair.

The Committee's Manifesto. — The Chairman said the committee held a responsible position in regard to the public, and they must have all the information available before them to enable them to judge whether these applicants were proper persons to be entrusted with a license. They knew how difficult it was for the police to get convictions. He would refer to the charge against the lessee of the Occidental Hotel, heard at the Police Court on the previous day, in which the case was dismissed because witnesses were not forthcoming. The fact, however, that the police had laid an information was pritna facie evidence that there had been violation of the Act, and the committee desired him to say thafc if this occurred again the licensee would not get the renewal of his license at the annual meeting. Then, again, regarding the Clarendon Hotel, it was reported to the committee that Sunday trading was carried on there, and that at the annual licensing meeting they would be prepared with evidence, fle also said that the programme of the committee was that there should only be one bar, and that this r "-ould apply not only to upstairs bars, but to downstairs private bare as well. Thk Quito's Hkad Hotki,.—The Chairman said he had also another painful announcement to make regardh; the Queen's Head, which was that, in consequence of persistent violation of the Act in re. gard to Sunday tra<"ng, the committee was prepared to qu h the license at the end of the month, under the provision!

of the 76th clause of the Act, on account of its being improperly conducted. On last Sab. bath 430 people were seen to go in and out of this hotel during eight hours, and no house with suchla trafficconld beproperlyconduetedf and the committee were determined,' in th% interests of those publicans who' observed the law, as well as of the public to visit those who carried on Sunday trading with ; the heaviest penalties.— Mcllhono (licensee Of the hotel) asked whether he could hot reply to the statements made ? He had no application before the Benoh, and had not come there to ask for anything.— Chafe man said that under the Act the committee had power to take action. They would «d* • joura the case.—Mr. Mellhone: Bat I ask for nothing, and do not intend to ask for anything. What case do yon propose to adjourn ?—The Chairman: The question of forfeiting this license.— Heekevh said the Bench bad given an intimation in regard to this house in which he was interested on the part of the owner, fie asked whother. their intimation in regard to the forfeiture of the license referred to the present holder Of the license or to the license for the house ?— The Chairman said they did not threaten to take away the license from the house, bat the Bench would consider at the adjournment what was best, and their present action would not interfere with the renewal Of the license at the annual meeting. ". , Clarendon Hotel.—Mr. Hesketh said fa regard to the remarks made by the Chair* man in respect of the Clarendon Hotel, and so many persons being observed there on Sunday, he was instructed by the proprietor that the house was largely frequented by theatrical people and commercial travellers, that from 120 to 130 dined there daily; and if the system of watching or espionage was depended on, these watchers might be mistaken in supposing that these boarders were persons going in for drink. There were at least 50 boarders in the house.—The Chairman said that the committee took no steps to get this information or to arrange for a watching, and took no part in it, but they could not ignore the information brought before them. , The Occidental. — Mr. Earl said in regard to the remarks of the Chairman as to the case at the Police Court against Mr. Smitb, the committee seemed to think that because the police laid the information there must be a prima facie case. In this instance he was instructed the case Was not taken up by the police, but by a private individual; who was so ashamed of his conduct that he. had cleared out.—'Mr. Thomson said, in re-' ply to Mr. Earl's statement, that at half-past three on Sunday morning a man came to the police station, and reported that he had been assaulted by Mr. Smith, the licensee of the Occidental Hotel. When questioned, he said he had been drink* ing and gambling in the hotel from nine o'clock on the previous night until: three o'clock, that then a quarrel took place, and he bad been astaulted by the licensee;" He (Mr. Thomson) directed that proceeding! should be taken under the Licensing Act tot trading in prohibited hour*, but when the case came up at Court the difficulty arose that they had been unable to get the wit* nesses. .He did not say that Mr. Smith: had anything to do with getting the wit. nesses out of the way, but he (Mr. Thorn* ■on) applied for an adjournment to on* able the police to find the witnesses, The defendant, who was represented by counsel, objected to the adjournment, and the Bench dismissed the case. That was the actual case as it stood.—Mr. Earl said Mr. Thomson was evidently under a misapprehension. Mr. Smith did not see this man from the time he had given information to the police, and the insinuation that he had anything to do with his disappearance was. unfounded. The information • was laid on the 26th of February, and the police had ample time to find their witnesses and leoore their attendance, and it was not the fault '61/. Mr. Smith that they had not done so.—The Chairman said after the positive statement made by Mr. Thomson, the committee could not recede from what he had ■aid.—The meeting was adjourned until next Monday week. ■■■'." " "/■*?■'' POLICE COURT.—Wednesday* ' / [Before Meesns. D.„• B. McDonald and O. Hold ... ship, J.P.'b] . . ■; , ;,.-; Dkonkenness. — One man, for a first offence, was mulcted in the usual penalty. Joseph Manner was fined £5 and costs, or fourteen days' hard labour for a third offence, and Richard Millie for a second offence was fined 10a and coats, or 48 hours'hard labour. I

Stealing a Dust Coat.—Charles Edward Stewart, alias Mcßrierty, was charged with the larceny of a silk duet coat, Talced at 10s, the property of W. N. Henderson, Mount Eden, on March 2. The accused pleaded, not guilty. Sergent Pratt, in applying for * remand, explained that the accused soli*' cited a subscription from the complain*, ant, and subsequently appropriated the ooat. He was afterwards arrested wearing' it, and other clothing had been reported as missing. Remanded to Monday, March 9. Unlicensed WiTisEMan—James Smith was charged with a breaoh of the Auckland Harbour Board By-laws, by conveying a. fare to the North Shore without being licensed, on February 23. Sergeant Pratt applied fora withdrawal, as since the laying of the information a license had been takes ont. Mr. S. Hesketh, who appeared for thedefendant, consented, and the case wai struck oat. UNRF.orsTKKED Dogs.—Edward Donovan was charged with a breach of the Dog Regis» tratioo Act; by having an unregistered dog in his possession above the age of six months. There was no appearance for defendant, Mr. O. Goldie, Registrar of Dogs, proved the case, but did not wish to press for a heavy penalty, as a letter had been sent tide* the laying of the information, stating thai' the dog bad been done away with. A fine of Iβ and costs was imposed. Joseph Pridmore, Isaac Philips, and Henry Hay* ward, were also charged with failing to provide their dogs with collars for the current year. Mr. Goldie stated that collars had been taken oat since the laying of the informations in these cases. The defendants were each fined Is and costs. Alfred Edmonds, Brown-street, Ponsonby p was charged with a similar breaoh of the Act by failing to register three dogs. There was no appearance of defendant. Mr. Goldie proved the case, and as fine of 5s and costs was imposed.' Thomas Hannaford, upper Queen-street, wa» also charged with having an unregistered dog in his possession on February 16. Mr. G. Goldie represented the City Council in this case as Registrar of Dogs. Mr. W. J. Napier appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty. Win, Monroe, assistant to the inspector, deposed to tendering the notice to defendant who discourteously refused to take it. The dog, a terrier, had : been registered in previous years by the defendant. Mr. Goldie produced the register book, and quoted from the entry of the registration of the dog in 1884; For the defence, Mr. Napier held that the case must fail, as it had not been, proved that the "premises were within the city. TJj» v Bench upheld the objection,'and dismissed, the case. Costs Wfre applied for, but the Bench declined, considering the manner; the defendant had treated the assistant sufficient to warrant their refusing the request. Depasturing a Cow.—Michael White, for depasturing a cow on unenclosed land in Alten-road on February 26, contrary to the city by-laws, was fined ys and costa. Larceny vboh a Bab.—Thomas Farrar was charged with stealing 9s, the money of Hugh Mcllhone, Auckland, on Tuesday. Mr. C. Rj Madden appeared for the and applied for a remand to Thursday for the purpose of procuring evidence, as he had only been instructed that morning. Sergeant Pratt had no objection, and the accused was remanded accordingly. Bail was granted a©*' , cuaed in his, own recogniiance of JES, and one surety in a like amount.