LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9369, 20 May 1889, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

<e. POLICE COURT.— Saturday. [Before Dr. Giles, R.M.] Drunkenness. — One person was punished for this offence. Assault.—Douglas Lee, a youth, was charged with assaulting a Chinaman, named Wong Gong, on the 17th instant, by striking him with his clenched fist, thereby cutting his face. Mr. Tylden appeared for the complainant. Wong Gong', a grocer residing in Wakefield-street, deposed that at about a quarter-past twelve o'clock on the 17th he was in his shop, and was talking to Mr. Tylden, when a boy ran in and said that some other boys had chased him. Witness went to the door and saw about half-a-dozen boys there. He told them to ;go away and to leave the other lad alone, but they used bad language, and one of them, Lee, struck him a severe blow in the eye. Dr. Lewis dressed the eye, which was still painful. The defendant, and a number of witnesses whom he called, deposed that Wong Gong first struck Lee in the chin, and the latter then hit the Chinaman. Dr. Giles said that although it might or might not be the case that Wong Gong struck defendant, the condition of the informant's eye was so bad when he came to lay the information, that it was thought advisable to issue a warrant. He (the magistrate) was sceptical as to Wong Gong's having struck the defendant at all, and he would therefore treat the case as one of unprovoked assault. He would have been inclined to send the defendant to gaol without the option of a fine, were it possible but, he would inflict a fine of £2 and costs, or in default, seven days' imprisonment with hard labour. Upon the application of Mr. Tylden, an order was made that half oi' the line be handed to the defendant. In this case, Mr. Tylden, who was in Wong Gong's shop when the assault occurred, gave evidence. His Worship remarked that he thought it undesirable that a solicitor should have to give evidence in his own case. Mr. Tylden said that his notice to act in the case was very short. Larceny. — Samuel Edward Gray (nine years) and Charles L. Wilson (ten. years) were charged with the larceny o f six sacks, valued at 2s, the property of Joseph Bainbridge. Mr. Alexander, who appeared for the boys, admitted the offence, but said that in consequence of their youth Mr. Bainbridge did not wish to press the charge, especially as he was sure the parents would punish the children. Under these circumstances Dr. Giles dismissed the case. _ Absent Without Leave.— McGee and Olaf Jacobsen, seamen on board the ship Banffshire, pleaded guilty to having absented themselves from that vessel without permission, and were ordered to forfeit one day's pay and return to their duties, besides paying the costs of the proceedings. Horse Stealing.— John McDonald was charged with stealing a bay gelding, and a saddle and bridle, the property of William Downer, at Helensville, on the 12th May. The case was remanded till Thursday.