LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7303, 15 April 1885, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

, E ; POLICE COURT.— - [Before Mr. F. J*, Prime, J.P.J 'j : Drunkenness. — Oneoffenderwaapunißhed for being drank. , . The Viotobu-stbeit Pibb. — William Arthur Thomas, on remand from April 8, surrendered to his bail, on the charge of | setting' fire to a shop used as »tobacconist's by him, with intent to defraud the Colonial Insurance Company, on April 8. Mr. Theo. Cooper appeared for the accused, and applied for a remand for a week, as arranged with Sergeant Pratt, when the case was first remanded, and asked that the accused's bail might be enlarged. Sergeant Pratt said he had no objection to the remand. Remanded to Tuesday, the 20th instant. Bail was enlarged accordingly. .. : , ; < Breaking Windows. —Barry -Rodders, a lad of about twelve years of age, , was charged with breaking four! panes of glass, valued at 60s, the property of John Kean, College | Hill, on. April 2. The defendant pleaded guilty. It appeared that the house was unoccupied, and the lad had thrown stones at the windows. Mrs. Bodgers was in Court. A fine of Is and coats was imposed, and the Bench left it with Mrs. .Rodger to arrange for payment of damages. [Before Messrs. F. L. Prime and C. D. Whltcombe. J.P.'s] •

Polluting a Water Tank. — Charles Keatley and Edward Keatley (two young lads), were charged with a breach of the Police Offences Act, by throwing offensive matter into a water tank on March. 29. Mr. George appeared for the defendants, and pleaded not guilty. , Emily Fricker, who had been playing with the defendants on Sunday morning, deposed to the offence. , It appeared that they had been playing together in a yard in Bayfield, Ponsonby, on Sunday, the 29th instant, when a bottle was filled from the water closet and thrown into the tank. The evidence of the children was of a very contradictory character, Emily Fricker asserting that Charles Keatley committed the act. An objection by Mr. George, that the ■ offence did not come under the section of the Act, was overruled by the Bench. When placed in the witness box the defendant deposed that Emily Fricker put the bottle into the water. The Bench dismissed the case, but thought that the boys should have a good whipping. Assault.—Alexander McLeod was charged (on summons) with assaulting Thomas Neillie, Mount Roskill Koad, by throwing him down on April 8, and sought that sureties of the peace might be ordered to be issued. Mr. J. M. Speed appeared for the defendant, and ph&ded not guilty. Thomas Neillie, Mount Roskill Koad, deposed to the assault. It appeared that the defendant had bought an allotment and paid a' deposit on it, and informed the complainant of his purchase. It seemed defendant was indebted to complainant, who said, " If you have £50 to pay for the allotment, you ought to pay me the debt." Other words ensued, and defendant threw JNeillie to the ground, and, in the struggle, wrenched out part of / his beard (produced). Defendant's Wife gave almost corroborative evidence. The defendant had no provocation to spring upon her husband. The defence was that there had been provocation tor the quarrel. The Bench declined to order the defendant to enter into sureties to keep the peace, and imposed a fins of 40s and costs, or a month's imprisonment in default. - / ■ i

Shipping Case.—A case against A. McClymont for refusing to pay £7 4s, the balance of wages due to Robert Howe, was adjourned to Wednesday (to-day), on the application of Mr. £. Cooper, who appeared for the plaintiff, as an arrangement was likely to be made. . ,

Affiliation Case.— Robertson was charged with refusing to provide for the support of his illegitimate child. Mr. W. J. Napier appeared for the complainant and Mr. Theo. Cooper for thf; defendant, who is steward of the a.a. Penguin. On the application of Mr. Cooper, he case was adjourned for a week, to Tuesday, 21st instant, on the understanding that if the steamer was not then in port it should be further adjourned.