LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10409, 6 April 1897, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.-Moxday. (Before Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M.I

Drunkexness.—Geo. Kenny pleaded guilty to having been found drunk in Darbystreet. Serge&nt Clarke stated that when found the accused had a bad cut in ins head, and he hid to be taken to the hospital. He was convicted and discharged, being ordered to pay the expenses incurred by the police. Mary Brown was fined lfls, in default 48 hours. Norah Williams, an old offender, was sent to prison for one month with hard labour. A prohibition order was issued against the accused. Two first offenders were dealt! with in the usual manner. Remanded.—John Smith was charged with stealing two bottles ot scent (worth as), on April ], from Wm. B. Hall, chemist. A remand was granted till next morning. Trespassing.-Two men, named John R. Considine and John Dunn, were charged that they were found, without Uwful reasou ot excuse, on the premises of Me, Woodroffe in Victoria-street. They pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to a week's imprisonment with hard labour. Fighting is the Street.-Two lads, named William McClellan and Joseph Mitchell, were charged that on March 17 they assaulted another youth named John Clarke. McClellan pleaded guilty, and Mitchell pleaded not guilty to the charge. Therj was a cross charge of assaulting defendants against John Clarke, the plaintiff. He pleaded not guilty. Mr. Gregory appeared on behalf of Clarke. Evidence showed that there had been a fight between the plaintiff aud defendants on the night in question on the Remuera Road, aud that one of them (McClellan) had thrown astone, which struck Clarke. The Bench reprimanded the parties for fighting on the public road, and held that McClellan should be punished for throwing the stone. The boy's uncle, who was in Court, agreed to go surety for his good behaviour in future. He was accordingly bound orer to keep the peace on this surety. Destitute Persons Act.-Matthew Herd was charged with failing to support his daughter, Mrs. Patterson (a widow), and her four children. Mr. Brookfield appeared for the complainant and Mr, Mahony for the defendant. The complainant stated that her father's income, derived from property and rent, was sufficiently large to enable him to support her. She only earned 5s a week herself, and was in receipt of charitable aid. Evidence was given in support of her assertions by the relieving officer and another witness. Defendant stated that his net income was barely sufficient to support his own family. He had contributed, and was contributing, money for his daughter's support. His Worship said that the clear income of defendant seemed to him to be much larger thau he asserted, and that it was only fair that a larger allowance should be made by him to his daughter. Defendant was accordingly ordered to pay the sum of £4 monthly towards the support of plaintiff, and 4s towards the support of each child. Partial costs were allowed. ONEHUNGA MAGISTRATES'. COURT. Monday. [Before Mr. Thomas Hutchison, S.M.] Debt Cases.—Richard Reeves v. Samuel Pasooe, claim £1 4s 10d, balance due for butcher's meat, Defendant was ordered to pay 5s per month, or in default four days' imprisonment. John Quinn v. Harriet Harlick, claim £4 las 6d for house rent. Defendant stated that the house was let to her sous, who were liable for the rent. His Worship accepted the defence and gave judgment accordingly. A second case was heard between the same parties, when the plaintiff claimed 7s (id for a pair of house steps. The defendant was ordered to return the steps. Enoch Burden v. John Hyland, billiardmarker, claim £3 3s, balance due on suit of clothes. The defendant confessed judgment. The plaintiff was allowed 6s costs.

ONEHUNGA POLICE COURT-Monday. [Before Mr. Hutchison, S.M.I Congratulations.— Before the commencement of ch« official business, Mr. Cotter, senior representative ot the bar, congratulated Mr. Hutchison on his appointment to the district, aud expressed the hope that the cordial relationship existing between Bench and Bar would be maintained. Dr. firaon also spoke to a similar effect on behalf of the Justices of the Peace. Mr. Hutchisdh suitably replied. Alleged Assault.-Thomas 6. Bray was charged with having assaulted Patrick MeAleer by striking him with a hayfork on the 3rd March last. Mr. S. Hesketh appeared for the prosecution, and the defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was repreiented by Mr. T. Cotter. Dr. Erson deposed that the plaintiff came to him on the 3rd of last month suffering from severe wounds on back and side of the head. There were also certain injuries inflicted on plaintiffs body. Patrick McAleer said he was assistant ranger at M&ngere. On the 3rd of last March, while on the Mangere Koad the defendant struck him with a hayfork across the head. It was becarse be had impounded Bray's horses that the latter struck him. Bray knocked him down with the fork handle and strnck him a second time on the side with the prongs breaking the handle. When he got up he had two large wounds in his head and his right arm was paralysed. He had once disagreed with the defendant about a load of scoria, and on a subsequent occasion had asked him to settle a dispute with their fists. About two months ago he challenged the defendant to fight. Mary Jane May deposed to seeing the defendant strike McAleer with the prongs of a hay fork. The blow knocked him down. Thos. 6. Bray, defendant, said he asked MeAleer why he had impounded his (Bray's) horses. He was carrying a hay fork, but did not strike the plaintiff with it. He threw the tork on the ground when plaintiff caught him round the neck, which resulted in their having a rough-and-tumble on the ground. He called a man named May to take the fork away. It was not true that he struck the plaintiff twice, neither did he break the fork over him. McAleer had challenged him to fight two or tin-eft times lately. Joseph May deposed that he saw the two men eugaged in a struggle when he went m<l took the hay fork, which was not broken, away from McAleer. He did not see Bray strike the plaintiff with the fork. His Worship in giving judgment said the weight of evidence was in favour of the defendant. The case would therefore be dismissed, with costs £2 10s. A second charge was preferred against the same defendant by J. fl. Timms, chief ranger, Mxngere, for allowing his two horses tn wander on the Mangere public road on the 3rd of last month. John Fletcher, jockey, deposed tint both the horses were his property, and did not belong to the defendant. Judgment was given for the latter with costs £1 Is.