LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8726, 17 November 1891, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.— [Before Mr. H. W. Bishop, R.M. Drunkenness.— first offenders were each fined 5s and costs, or, in default, 24 hours' hard labour. James Pollock was fined 10s and costs, or 48 hours' imprisonment; and Hugh Macfadane was fined 40s and costs, or, in default, seven days' hard labour.

Disorderly Behaviour.John McGarry and Adolph F. Lingren were charged with having committed a breach of the Police Offences Act on the 14th November, by fighting at the bar of the Thistle Hotel. Each of the accused pleaded guilty. A fine of 20s and costs was inflicted in each case, and in default of payment seven days' imprisonment. A Counterfeit Coin.— Swift was charged with having, on the 10th November, imposed upon Jennie Jeffs, by passing to her a counterfeit coin, which was intended to represent a sovereign. Accused pleaded not guilty. Burton Bevego, livery stablekeeper, deposed that on the evening of the 10th November ho was at De Silva's dining rooms, near the Market. Accused came in and asked Miss Jeffs lor change of a sovereign, telling her to take for a pie out of it. Miss Jeffs had not the required change, so she asked witness if he had change. He gave tlje change, and placed the sovereign—which he noticed had a hole in —in his pocket. The following day he discovered that the sovereign was a counterfeit one, and gave information to the police. The coin was a brass one. - Accused was subsequently arrested by Detectivo Chrystal. Jennie Jeffs deposed that she was in the employ of Mr. De Silva. On the evening in question accused tendered her the sovereign (produced) in payment for a pie. ; Witness asked Mr. De Silva if ho could change it, but he said he could not. Mr. Bevege, who was in the room, consented to change the coin. Accused hurried away as soon as she had obtained the change. Detective Chrystal gave evidence as to the arrest of the accused, who said she had got the coin from William Smith,of the Northern Wairoa. Subsequently she made two different statements. The accused stated to the Court that she was certain that the coin she tendered had no hole in it. Why could not Bevege have changed the sovereign during the twelve hours he had it in his possession before handing it over to the police? Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour. Probation Report. — Arthur Grattan, who had been found guilty last week on a charge of stealing the sum of £1 18s 6d from Stapylton C. Caulton, of Ellerslie, on the 10th November, came up for sentence. The Probation Officer's report did hot agree with what the witnesses called had said in reference to the character of accused. Still he suggested that he should be placed upon probation. The Bench therefore decided that Grattan should be admitted to probation for a period of six months. Alleged Assault.—Alfred Evans, on remand, was charged with having assaulted James Mulgrove on the 13th November, by knocking him down and kicking him on the head. James Mulgrove deposed that he was at the Provincial Hotel on the evening in question. Accused and three others were there. They had a slight dispute, and two of them went out to settle the matter. Witness went out to see what would happen. While outside accused and the others shoved him about, and he fell on his head. He had to be taken to the Hospital. He was not sure which of the four knocked him over, but he knew that accused was one of them. He was not kicked when he was on the ground. Since the arrest he had spoken to the accused about the case. John Flannery deposed that he saw the previous witness on the ground, but could not say who threw him down. James Carr also gave evidence for tho prosecution. Michael Brown deposed that accused did not strike or kick anyone on the occasion in question. The Bench stated that the row seemed to have been a disgraceful one, but there was not sufficient evidence to identify accused with it. He would, therefore, be discharged. Throwing Stones. — Walter Chatwynd was charged with throwing stones on the Old Whau Road, Mount Albert, on the Ist November, to the danger of Michael O'Rorke. Accused pleaded not guilty. Michael O'Rorke and his daughter Mary gave evidence to the effect that defendant was throwing stones into informant's hay, and on being spoken to wanted to fight the informant. When O'Rorke went out accused threw stones at him. Chatwynd denied having thrown any stones at O'Rorke or his hay. The Bench was quite satisfied the offence had been committed, but would let the accused off lightly, as the punishment would fall more on his mother than himself. A fine of Is and costs, ss, was imposed. Defacing Footpaths.—James Kingham Reilly, a little boy, pleaded guilty to having defaced the footpath in Princesstreet in October last, by writing thereon with chalk. Sergeant-Major Pratt explained that the boy" had drawn indecent pictures and written bad language on the path. The defacement was of such an indecent nature that the City Council had to send a man to wash it out. John Menzies was charged with a like offence. However, a mistake had arisen with regard to tho service of the summons in this case, the result of which was that the father appeared instead of the son. The name of the latter was John A. O. Menzies. Such being the case, the Court decided to deal with both cases at the same time, and as it would be necessary to serve a fresh summons in the latter case, both cases were adjourned until Monday next. Alleged Insulting Language.Charles Curtis, who did not appear, was charged with having used insulting language to Ellen Kane. Mr. Brassey appeared for the complainant, and asked that the case might be adjourned to enable the defendant to appear. He was at present out of town. The caso was adjourned until Wednesday next.