LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9178, 19 April 1893, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

m • POLICE COURT.— Tdksdat. [Before Dr. GileH, R.M.] DRUNKENNESS, — Ono man, a first offender, was fined 5s and cost?, or in default 24 hours' hard labour. Theft of a Purse.William Wright was charged with having, on April 17, feloniously stolen ono purse containing lu's, the property of Susan Bratlahaw. Mr. C. E. Madden appeared for tin; defendant), and pleaded not guilty. Susan Braduhaw deposed that the defendant came into her shop, in Abercrombie-street. Sho asked him to remove a wardrobe, out of which the purse fell, lie picked it up and and made off with it. Detective Chrysta] and another witness gave evidence for the prosecution. John Ross, dames Dunklin, and A. Sandford gave evidence as to the defendant's previous good character. The defendant gave an absolute denial to the charge. Dr. (dies thought the evidence for the prosecution was of an improbable character. Ho dismissed the case. A Serious Charge. — The case against Edward Latimer Clarke, charged with having attempted to have carnal knowledge of Mary Martha O'Connor, a child between the ages of 12 and 14 years, was further remanded until Tuesday next. Messrs. C. E. Madden and C. E. Mathews represented the defendant. Charge of Maiming Docks. — William O'Halloran, George O'Halloran, William Ware, and William Westbrooke Squire, all of Remuera, were charged with having, on March 12, at Orakei Day, unlawfully and maliciously maimed certain ducks, the property of Thomas Kenealy. William O'Halloran, a lad residing at Remuera, was also charged with violently assaulting Thomas Kenealy, by striking him on the face with his clenched fist. In the first charge Mr. F. E. Baumo appeared for the defendants, and pleaded nob guilty. In the second charge Mr. Baume appeared tor the defendant, and again pleaded not guilty. Dr. Laishley appearing on behalf of the informant. Thomas Kenealy deposed that on Sunday, March 12, the defendants came in two boats into Orakei Bay, and commenced chasing a flock of seventeen ducks belonging to the witness. They struck at them with their oars, and one of them picked up a duck and threw it into the air. Several of the birds wero injured, one having its back broken. The defendants subsequently landed, and some words then passed between thorn and witness. Eventually William O'Halloran struck witness two severe blows in the face, and knocked him into the water. Both his eyes were injured. Ware desired to hush the matter up, but refused to pay for the damage. Witness then walked away. He subsequently gavo information to Constable Lamb. A number of other witnesses were called for the prosecution. The defendants denied having been guilty of any cruelty to the ducks. They simply rowed through them. They absolutely denied throwing any of them out of the water, or maiming them. William O'Halloran certainly did strike Kenealy, but only after great provocation. Kenealy came up to him in a threatening manner as though intending to strike him, and O'Halloran struck him in self-defence. Dr. Giles at this stage decided to dismiss the charges against Squires and George O'Halloran. Each of the defendants then gave evidence. Major Pirio gave the O'Hallorans a good character as quiet inoffensive boys. Dr. Giles did not consider that the defendants intended to steal tho ducks. It seemed a question of skylarking with the ducks. This was an intentional injury. Each of the defendants William O'Halloran and Ware, was fined 5s with costs, and ordered to pay for tho damage done. For the assault, William O'Halloran was fined 10s and costs, or three days imprisonment.