LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9321, 26 March 1889, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.—Monday. [Before Messrs. S. Y. Collins and J. Gilmour, J.P.'s] Drunkenness, Three persons were punished for first offences. The hearing of a charge of drunkenness against ll John Lee was remanded for a week, to permit of the prisoner undergoing medical treatment. Vagrancy.—Mary Ann Fowler _ was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. She pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Kiely and Detective Herbert deposed that the woman was of low character, and a sentence of three months' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed. Charge op Communicating with Prisoners.Joseph Hood was charged with having attempted to hold communication with a prisoner in Mount Eden Gaol, and with having attempted to introduce into the prison butter, sugar, flask of brandy, toothbrush and tooth powder, tobacco, cigarettes, jam, milk, apples, lotters, and other articles. Mr. Clendon, who appeared for the prisoner, pleaded not guilty. R. Rutherford, foreman of works at Mount Eden Gaol, deposed that on the morning of the 16th March he saw a female prisoner named Cockhead, and another prisoner, remove a sack which contained the articles mentioned in the information, into a storeroom in the gaol. Michael Flannery, chief warder, and George Crook considered the writing in the letters to be that of the prisoner. Arthur Tilly and John Mason deposed to having sold to the prisoner certain of the articles produced. G. S. Reston, Governor of the Gaol, deposed that he had examined the letters, and had no hesitation in saying that the writing was that of the prisoner. Both of the charges were dismissed, on the ground that the" evidence for the prosecution was not sufficient to convict the accused.

[Before Messrs. Gilmore and Irving, J.P.'s ] The Use op the Tongue.—Henry Elliott was charged with threatening to do bodily harm to William John Lyttle. Mr. Theo. Cooper appealed on behalf of the complainant. It appeared from the evidence that a difficulty existed between the plaintiff and defendant in respect of a right-of-way used by both parties, and on the evening of the 20th March witness passed through this thoroughfare, when Captain Elliott met him, and threatened that ho would knock hie brains out, and he hit witness with the loaded handle of a whip. Witness had permission from his landlord, Mr. Cotter, to use the right-of-way. The defendant deposed that witness had no right to use the thoroughfare, and he had been annoyed by the plaintiff, and wished to keep him out of the yard. Tho Bench ordered that defendant be bound over to keep the peace for six months, in his own recognisance of £20. Mary Austin was charged with having used insulting language to Elizabeth Austin. Mr. Franklin appeared for the defendant, and asked for an adjournment until Wednesday, in order to collect his evidence. Mr. Humphreys, who appeared for the plaintiff, opposed the application, which was refused. Evidence having been heard at some length, the case was dismissed.

Alleged Assault. — A case in which Fanny Madden was charged with assaulting Wilhelmina McKenna was remanded until Thursday. Straying Cattle.— eCr abb was fined 5s and costs for permitting cattle to stray at Devonport. [Before Messrs. F. L. Prime and J. P. King, J.P.'s]. Larceny. — Joseph Hood was charged with the larceny of a ring, a pair of scissors, and a scarf from the Queensferry Hotel, on the 20th of March. Mr. Clendon appeared for the prisoner. Miss Helena Berger deposed to having missed the ring, and she informed Mrs. Stimpson, who called after the prisoner, the latter having just left the hotel. Hood was then going down Vulcan Lane, passing the Occidental Hotel. Witness saw prisoner coming out of No. 4 room; the ring was missed from No. 2 room. The pair of scissors and the scarf were subsequently missed. Mrs. Stimpson also gave evidence. Detective Herbert deposed that ho arrested the prisoner on the 20th instant* and found the scarf, scissors, and ring in his possession. Hood said he had bought the ring in Sydney years ago. Mr. Clendon urged that the case must fail, because the prosecution had nob shown that the goods had been taken and carried away by the prisoner, and he further submitted that tho identification of the articles had not been sufficient to establish a charge of larceny. The Bench overruled the objections and committed the prisoner for trial at the ensuing sessions of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed.