LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 7

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT NEWS. DRUNKENNESS. As us\ial on Monday morning, a large array of drunkards made their appearance before Mr. Thomas Hutchison, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday. Three first offenders were convicted and discharged with a caution. Henry Johnson and William Wilcox were each fined ss, with the usual alternative, and » fine of 10s, with the option of 48 hours' imprisonment, was inflicted in the cases of Thomas Jackson and Ralph MoNamara. Maud Hartnell, who admitted a fifth offence during the past six months, was sentenced to one week's imprisonment. John Inkster pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and admitted resisting Constable Skinner, and assaulting him by kicking him in the jaw. He was convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently. IDLE AND DISORDERLY. Thomas AlcGarry, on remand, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person. The case was adjourned till Saturday, to give him an opportunity of leaving the place. TRANSFERRING A RAILWAY TICKET. Henry Seccombe was charged with committing a breach of the Public Works Act, by transferring a railway ticket to Alice Rook. Sub-Inspector Wilson said that the defendant kept a registry office for servants, and gave a girl whom lie was sending to a situation in the Waikato district a railway ticket which had expired. Defendant said thai lie was unaware that ho had infringed the Act, and was under the impression that the ticket was available for three months. His Worship said the case was regarded as a heinous one by the Legislature, which provided for a fine of £10, or two months' imprisonment. However,.the defendant would bo fined ss. BREACHES OF BT-LAWS. Thomas Bcecham was charged, on the information of the traffic inspector, with driving a vehicle at other than a walking pace round tho intersection of Karangahape Road and Pitt-street. Defendant admitted the charge, and was fined ss, and costs 7s. Win. Noil was charged with a breach of the city by-laws, that by negligent driving of a 'bus in Queen-street on the 7th inst., lie did damage property belonging to the Auckland Tramways Company. Mr. J. R. Reed appeared for defendant, and pleaded not guilty. Tho traffic inspector prosecuted. Evidence was given in support of the charge by the driver of tho car, and three other witnesses, as to the collision taking place, and alleged that the defendant drove his 'bus deliberately across tho tramear, which was coming up Queen-street. Mr. Reed admitted the (acts, but submitted that the fault was on the part of the car-drive., and called evidence in support of his contention. The deiendant stated that the drivor of tho car could have avoided an accident had he pulled up, but drove into the 'bus. Hit Worship considered that tho defendant was at fault, and inflicted a fine of 10s. and costs 12s. Margaret Irwin was charged with a broach of the by-laws by allowing offensive matter to remain on premises situated in Rokebystreet, in the occupation of Mrs. Peter Barnett. The sanitary inspector stated that the nuisance had been abated. Defendant, who did not appear, was convicted and discharged. ALLEGED THEFT. Denis Cecil Monahan was charged with the theft of three handkerchiefs, value 3s, the property of one F. J. Bennett. Accused was further charged with having stolen one waterproof coat, valuo £3 10s, the property of E. C. Browne and Co., 12 pairs of sox and two towels, value in all 17s, the property of George Fowldsj six felt hats and six shirts, of the valuo of £2 Is 6d, the property of Messrs. Smith and Caughey; one umbrella, valuo 10s, the property of James Brown; one pair of canvas boots, value 4s 9d, the property of G. Higgins. Sub-Inspeo-tor Wilson prosecuted, and Mr. Baume defended the accused. John Graham, assistant salesman in employ of E. C. Browne and Co.. identified the coat produced as being missed from the shop at one o'clock on Saturday, 23rd ult. The value of the coat was £3 10s. John Turner, in tho employ of Smith and Caughey, James Samuel Dickson, manager for Geo. Fowlds, and William McArthur Young, salesman in employ of Geo. Higgins, identified articles produced as having been stolen from their employers. Constable Ramsay deposed to arresting accused at his house in Riordan's Lane, off Nelson-street, on the 3rd inst. He found in accused's box, on searching the house, one new mackintosh coat, five felt hats, six shirts, nine pairs sox, two towels, three handkerchiefs, and one pair of canvas shoes, all new goods, which were those produced in Court. The accused was wearing od»> of the hats when arrested, and on being ch-rged said he bought the articles down town. The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial oil all tho charges. ■