LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10130, 13 May 1896, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.— Before Mr. H. W. Northcroft, S.M.I Drunkenness.—One first offender was cautioned and discharged. Alleged Larceny,—Thomas W. Seaman was charged that he did steal the following moneys, the property of the Pukeatua Road Board9s sdon August 23rd, 1895: £2 4s 6d on September 30th; aud 18s 6d ou December 17th. He was also charged with stealing certain moneys of the Birkenhead Borough Council, to wit: On April Ist, 1896, £1 8s 6d; on April 3, £2 Is; April 17th, £2 13s 3d; April '20th, £1 ISs 6d. The accused was rate collector to the Pukeatua Road Board, and an officer of the Birkenhead Borough Council. Dr. Laishley appeared for him and asked that the case might be adjourned, as he had only just been instructed. Mr. ilcAlister appeared for the prosecution and requested a remand for eight days, so that the accused's books might begone into. His Worship remanded Seaman for eight days, aud fixed bail at two sureties of £50, and accused himself in one of £100. Alleged Theft.—Two boys, named Joseph Braslin (15),. alias Thomas Sullivan, and Robert David Green (15), were charged that they did on May 5 break and enter the shop of Walter McNaughton in Symonds-street aud steal therein a certain quantity of tobacco and cigarettes and 4a 5 W in money, ot the total value of £6 18s jW. Under the circumstances Sergeant McMahon applied to have the charge reread from an indictable one to larceny. Mr. 1 Cotter appeared for the accused, and pleaded I guilty for Braslin and not guilty for Greeu. John McPherson, Walter McNaughton, 1 Sergeant Kelly, and Constable Hiuton gave ! evidence, from which it appeared that the boy Braslin was found in the shop with the property enumerated. A bunch of several door keys was also found ou him by the constable. The only evidence to connect Greeu with the offence was the statement of Braslin. This was deemed insufficient, and he (Green) was then discharged. Mr. Cotter stated that it was the first occasion on which | ; anything of the kind had been alleged against Braslin, He was the only support of . his mother, and she was a widow, and 1 counsel asked that His Worship would deal i leniently with him, considering all the circumstances. He was, moreover, about to ; leave for the country, where a situation had been offered to him. His Worship considered • the accused's extreme youth, and adjourned i the cast; against him till the 25th instant, with i the object ol seeing how he conducted him- | self. i Stray Cow.—John Hogan was charged i with being the owner of a cow found tresj passing on the railway line at Newmarket, j and his solicitor, Mr. Cotter, pleaded guilty ] to the animal being on the line, but without ! the knowledge of the defendant. Mr. Devore i appeared for the Railway Department, and i was quite satisfied with Mr. Cotter's explanaI tion, and would not press for a heavy 1 penalty. A fine of Is, with £18s costs, was [.inflicted. I Traffic By laws.—Mr. T. C. Turner, Traffic Inspector, had several drivers before I the Court for breaking the city by-laws by l driving vehicles round street corners at other | than a walking pace. Thomas D. Halstead, | William O'Brien, Andrew Johnson, John i Calvert, Henry Hack, and Patrick Hickey j were each fined ss, with 7a costs. For failing ' to carry proper and sufficient lights, George '• Sinclair, Thomas Hewston, John Rummin, | Alfred Moore, and Henry Boyd were also i fined ss, with 7s costs.