LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8929, 19 December 1887, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.— Saturday. [Before Mr. H. G. Beth Smith, R.M.]

Drunkenness.—William Steele was fined 10«, and 78 maintenance, for being drunk. Breach or Shipping Act.—William Newham was charged with a breach of the above Act, by refusing to comply with lawful commands on board the steamer Ashleigh Brook. Mr, Cotter appeared for the prosecution, and put in the agreement between the captain and crew, in which the defendant had shipped at London as greaser and fireman. He bad done his duty satisfactorily until arriving at Sydney. Charles Gilbert Fanquier, captain of the Ashleigh Brook, deposed that defendant had distinctly refused to go back to work shortly after leaving Newcastle, and had done no work since. By defendant: You refused to go to work in the stoke-hole, and wanted to work only in the engine-room. Donald C. McLean, chief engineer, confirmed this statement. By defendant : The reason yon were put out of the engine-room was because you came on board in a violent state, and oould not be trusted. The Benoh considered that • defendant had had no justification for his oonduot, and sen» tenced him to six weeks' imprisonment, and made an order for payment of costs, £2 9s. Failing to Provide.John McLellaud was charged with failing to provide adequate means of support for his three ohildren during the past six months, Mrs Eliza Carter stated that she was the mother of defendant's deceased wife, and had taken charge of the three children, and he had not given any aid towards their support. Constable Collis gave evidence that defendant was well able to support his children, and was the owner of a team of horses and a cart, but he spent considerable money in drink. James Strathearn, visiting officer for the Charitable Aid Board,' deposed that for the last fortnight Mrs Carter had been receiving rations from the Board. His Worship made an order of 3s 6 J per week for eaoh of the three children. A Violent Prisoner.—Eliza Lestrange was charged with a breaoh of the Prison Act by destroying certain property, to wit, bedding, on the 11th instant. Mr. Reston, governor of the gaol, appeared and stated that on Sunday last the prisoner had refused the orders of the, matron, and, on being confined, had torn up and destroyed of blankets and bed clothing. The Benoh ordered prisoner to undergo 30 days' solitary confinement.

In Arrears. — William McCarthy was charged with being in arrears in the payment of an order for the maintenance of his father. Defendant stated that he had supported his father up till last Thursday, when he was sold up, and he had now nothing left himself, and had a wife and five children to support, bat would always do what he could to provide for his father. His Worship adjourned the case till the 16th January.