LAW AND FOLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7660, 10 June 1886, Page 3

LAW AND FOLIC E.

POLICE COURT.— Wednesday. [Before Messrs. W. Yonng and M. F. Anderson J.P.'e.] Drunkenness.—A man was fined in the usual amount for a first offonce. Drunk and Disorderly.—Joseph McCormack, for being drunk and disorderly in the Market House entrance, Jane Herrington for a similar offence in Lorne-street, and David Mills, also drunk and disorderly in upper Symonds-street, were each fined 10s and costs, or 48 hours' hard labour in default. Disturbance is* a Diningroom. — W. G. Allen was charged with assaulting Viggo Soronson, by catching him by the neck and shaking him, and lacerating his neok and tearing his shirt, on June 7. The defendant, who is the well-known draper in the Victoria Arcade, applied for an adjournment, in order that he might procure counsel, as the summons had only been served late the previous afternoon. Mr. W. J. Napier, who appeared for the prosecution, eaid unless the expenses of the witnesges he had subpoenaed were paid, lie should object to the adjournment. The defendant elected to proceed and conduct his own case Viggo Soronson deposed that he was a Dane, and employed as baker at Mr. E. Waters' cafe. On Monday evening, about half-past six o'clock, ho went into the diningroom for his tea, when the defendant was also in the •aloon having his meal. Hβ (Sorenson) passed some remark to the young ladies who waited, when the defendant interfered, and called him a "pup," and a "scoundrel," and other epithets. He replied that he had not acted as a gentleman, when Allen seized him by the neck, tearing his shirt, ami marking the skin. He feared that his conduct would be repeated unless sureties were ordered. Elizabeth Watson, waitress', deposed that the prosecutor came in to have his tea sitting down near the end of the room, but not at the side the employ*! usually had their meale. The defendant was taking his tea about two tables off. Witness coughed, when Sorenson eaid in aa insulting manner, " Oh, you have got it very bad." Defendant jumped up, and said he was a scoundrel to make such a remark to a lady. Horonaon challenged him to go to the hack and have it out. The defendant caught him by the back of the neck, and shook him, but she did not see anything more occur, as she left the room. Cross-examined : Soreneon eaid that Mr. Waters, being away ill, he had

] charge of the room, and would do as he liked. Henry Sergeant, chief waiter, remembered J the evening, and was in the shop window at the time, when he heard the defendant say, "Yon confounded scoundrel, if you inault a, lady again in that maDner I will put you out of the room." Cross-examined : He knew of do reason why the defendant should consider himself as ha»ing charge of the room. Lucy Armitage, waitress, said Sorenson made the remark to her that "she looked very fetching." This Mr. Allen resented, and Sorenson called him a cad, and not a gentleman. The defendant caught him by the coat and shook him. Further words ensued, and the defendant again seized Sorenson. The defendant said he had no witnesses to call except those called. The bench imposed a fine of 5e and coats.