LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.—Saturday. [Before H. G. Seth Smith, Esq., R.M.]

Drunkenness.—Wm. Williams and Maria Drummond were fined 5s and costs, or. in default, to undergo 24 hours' imprisonment. Luther Martin was charged with being a habitual drunkard, and with having been thrice convicted of the offence of drunkenness within the past three months. The evidence of Constable Carroll was taken, and Martin was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour. Larceny.George Castle pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a pair of boots, value 12s 6d, the property of Henry Crook. Sergeant Pratt said that Crook, the owner of the boots, was a lodger in a Rutland-street boarding-house, and the boots were stolen from the place. The prisoner's employer was in Court, and was willing to take Castle back to his employment if he were discharged. The case was remanded till tomorrow (Tuesday), in order to permit of the Probation Officer reporting, and prisoner was admitted to bail, himself in £20, and two sureties of £10 each. Alleged Assault. — Benjamin C. S. Keates was charged with assaulting his wife by striking Tier on the face, ana also with failing to provide for her support. On the application of Mr. Cotter, who appeared for the accused, the charges were struck out, the cases having been settled out of Court. Breaking a Window.— Home was charged with breaking a pane of glass, value Is, the property of Mr. W. Hellaby, and pleaded guilty. Sergeant Pratt said prisoner was in company with a man named Driscoll, at the back of Mr. Hellaby's premises, and when they were put out Home sent a stone through the window. A fine of 10s and costs were imposed, and prisoner was ordered to pay the damage, or in default to undergo seven days' imprisonment with hard labour.

Unlawful Pawn ing . —The charge against Alexander Howe, of unlawfully pawning a saddle, the property of John Katterns, Ellerslie, was again remanded till Tuesday. , Wife Desertion.— Andrews was charged with wife desertion. Mr. Speed appeared for complainant; and the case was remanded till to-morrow (Tuesday), for the purpose of obtaining further evidence. Affiliation Case.—Michael Beresfortl Nelly was charged with failing to support his illegitimate child, of which Alice Reid is the mother. Mr. Humphreys appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Palmer for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Alice Reid, the prosecutrix, deposed that she was in the service of defendant as housekeeper from the 15th of February, 1887, for five months and a-half. Defendant was the father of her child. He had promised to marry her, and had sent her to Father O'Gara to make arrangements for the wedding, but she would not marry him because he was cruel to his children. Other evidence was taken, and defendant deposed that he had no means; but had four children to support. He had been Ser-geant-Major of the Auckland volunteer dis« trict till November 9, and received /s a. day with travelling allowances when he was travelling. He had six children, but two of them were earning a living. The Bench ordered that he pay 5s a week towards the support of the child. _ Oysters in the Close Season.—Frank Williams, fish and ' oyster dealer, was charged with having oysters in his possession during the close season. Mr. H. Williamson prosecuted, and Mr. Cotter appeared for the defendant, and pleaded nob guilty. Mr. Williamson said that on Monday last seven bags of oysters were found on the defendant's premises. A fine of 40a and costs was imposed.