POLICE COURT.—Tuesday. [Before Mr. R. S. Bush, S.M.]

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9832, 29 May 1895, Page 3

POLICE COURT.— Tuesday. [Before Mr. R. S. Bush, S.M.]

Drunkenness.—Ono first offender was cautioned and discharged. A Foolish Act.— youths, named respectively Robert Peterson, Ernesb Peterson, John Hibbs, and Norman McFarlane, whose ages ranged from nine to thirteen years, appeared to answer a charge of having, on the 24th April, at Groen Lane, unlawfully trespassed on the railway line. The accused pleaded guilty. Mr. Cooper appeared for the prosecution, and stated that the boys had been guilty of a very grave and dangerous offence. They had been wandering on the "railway line at Green Lane, and there found a velocipede -belonging to two platelayers. The boys placed the machine on the line, and used it for some time, and finally left ib on the rails. There was considerable traffic on the line that day, and had the velocipede nob been noticed and removed, there would have been an accident, and probably severe loss of life. If these boys were a little older, he would have asked to have them severely dealt with. The boys appeared to be in a neglected state, and required looking after. He was much afraid fehab this was a bad case of larrikinism, for the boys must have been aware that they were committing an improper and criminal act. Mr. Cooper pointed out to the Bench that for a similar offence committed in the South Island two young men had been committed for trial. Mr. Bush said that he hardly knew whab to do with the lads, for they were nob in a position to pay a fine. After discussing the matter with counsel, Mr, Bush decided to record the conviction against each of the accused, and to order the three eldest to come up for sentence when called upon. Larceny.An elderly man named Henry Sloan was charged with having on the 24th May stolen from the dwelling-house of Charles Clarke one tweed overcoat and one umbrella, of the total value of £1 ss. The accused pleaded guilty. Henry Sloan was further charged with stealing one carpet bag and contents, valued at £5, the property of Annie Fleet. The accused uleaded not guilty. Sergeant Gamble said the accused had taken the bag from the steamer Clansman, whilst the owner of it was away on shore getting breakfast. The accused was found guilty, and sentonced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.