LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10410, 7 April 1897, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.—TCESDAT. [Before Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M.I

Drunkexjtess.— an old offender, was fined ss, with costs, in default 24 hours. John Johnson, charged with his third offence within six months, pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s, in default seven days with hard labour. Elizabeth Martin, for her seventh offence, was fined ss, with the alternative of 24 hours.

Alleged Theft. — Frank Evans was charged with stealing a thermometer, valued 20s, the property of some person unknown. Sergeant Clarke stated that the accused was arrested at 6.30 o'clock yesterday morning by Constable Cullinane. When arrested he had the thermometer concealed under his coat, and when asked how he came by the article, he said that be had stolen it. As the owner has not yet been found, the accused was remanded till next Monday.

Alleged Breaking and Entering.— John O'Brien was charged that on April 6 he broke and entered the premises of John Simpson, inHobson-streeJ;,with the intention of committing a felony. The statement of Sergeant Clarke showed that the accused was found yesterday morning at half-past four o'clock in the house ot Mr. Simpson. He had effected an entrance by raising the I lower part of the kitchen window. The owner of the house, Mr. Simpson, heard a noise in the kitchen, and on going in the direction of the sound be found the accused inside the house. The accused owned in court that he had entered the house, but denied that he did so with any criminal intent. He was very drunk at the time, and thought he was entering his own lodgings. He had never in his life committed a theft. Asked where he was stopping, he replied that he had been lodging first at a hotel, and subsequently at a private house in Auckland. Defendant was remanded till next Monday, in order that investigation as to the truth oi his statements might be made by the police. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £20 each.

Larceny.—John Smith, a middle-aged man, was charged with stealing two bottles of scent, worth ss, from Wm. B. Hall, chemist. He pleaded not guilty. The informant, in his evidence, stated that on April Ist. the watchman entered his shop, and informea him that a man was trying to sell two Dottles of his (witness's) scent. On examining, witness found that two bottles of scent were missing from a glass ease—which was locked, but had the key in just inside the door of hisshop. He then recollected that he had heard footfall in the shop some time previously, but had not seen anyone there. Ah Chong, a neighbouring shopkeeper to Mr. Hall, deposed that the accused had come to his shop and endeavoured to sell him some bottles of scent marked with Hall's labels. Witness bad refused to purchase. Accused had about a dozen bottles of scent with him, but two of them were similar to those produced inCourt. The evidence of the arresting constable was also taken. His Worship found the accused guilty of the offence, and sentenced him to two months' imprisonment, with hard labour, in Auckland Gaol.

Prohibition Order.—A Drohibition order was made against John Calvert, cab-driver, on the application of his wife, Annie Calvert. By-laws.— Eliyett was charged, on the information of the Traffic Inspector, that on March 29 he was the owner of an unregistered vehicle. He pleaded guilty, " with extenuating circumstances." Defendant explained that he had given his carter full charge of the vehicle, and had left it in his hands to attend to the registration of it. The carter stated that the traffic inspector had spoken to and warned him about the cart not being registered, but owing to a mistake he had neglected to get the license. The cart had beeu registered 48 hours before the summons was served. Mr. Turner, traffic inspector, said that full notice had been given to owners of vehicles that their vehicles must be registered within the first fortnight of January. His Worship convicteddefendant, remarking that he must be held responsible for his carter's neglect, at he had chosen to leave the matter in the tatter's hands. The usual tine of ss, with costs, was inflicted. Charles Lennard pleaded guilty to having driven a milk cart after dark without proper lights. The excuse that the light had gone out, and that he had no matches with which to relight, was not admitted. He was fined as. Thomas O'Toole was charged that he drove his vehicle at other than a walking pace round the corner of Karaogahape Road and Symond street. There was no appearance of defendant, but his counsel, Mr. Gregory, pleaded guilty for him, au.i asked that be be dismissed with a caution. Mr. Turner said the time of cautions for this ofl'ence was passed. Defendant was convicted, and fined 59, with 7s costs.

Theft of Fruit.— young man named John Leacofakei and a lad of 14 named Julius Mezzolini were convicted of having stolen fruit from the orchard of Mr. Andrews, dairyman, at Mount Roskill. His Worship cautioned and discharged them.