LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11203, 25 October 1899, Page 7

LAW AND POLICE.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.-TcEsn.vr. At the Magistrate's Court, before Mr Brabant, S.M., a case, Aitkeii v. Saunderson" claim £18 3s 4d, balance of account for commission, was heard. Mr. J. A. Beale in Btructed by Dr. R. Laishley, appeared' for the plaintiff, and Mr. Reed appeared for tho defendant, who had put in a counter claim of £40 5s 2d in respect of Gorman sausages which had been forwarded to plaintiff at Wellington, and alleged to bo not accounted for To tho counter claim the plaintiff pleaded that a large quantity of the meat had gone bad, and had been sent to the pig farms . and that no allowance had been made for ordinary shrinkage and discount. The defendant disputed the plaintiff's right to living expenses, in addition to ordinary commission. Voluminous evidence was taken on either side, and tho Magistrate reserved his decision till a future date. POLICE COURT NEWS. DRUNKENNESS. For this offence, before Mr. H. W. Brabant 8.M., yesterday, a first offender was convicted and discharged. Flora Ann Nicholson ami I nomas Kennedy, who both pleaded guilty to their second offences within six months, were cach fined 10s, or 48 hours' in default. DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR, Nicholas Heath was convicted and discharged for resisting Constable Maher in the execution of his duty. Heath was fined 40s for disorderly behaviour while drunk. OBSCENE LANGUAGE AND THEFT. Eliza Lostrange, on a charge of drunkenness, was convicted and discharged. She was further charged with using obsceno language in Victoria-street, and with the theft of a hat, value 7s 6d, the property of one Mary Ann Palfrey. Accused pleaded not guilty. After evidence she was sentenced to two months imprisonment on each charge, sentences to be cumulative. ( ALLEGED FALSE TRETENCES. George Miller was charged with obtaining by false pretences two pairs of shoes, value 3s lid, and 16s Id in cash, from Thomas Miller, sum two pairs of stockings, value 3s 2d, and £1 6s lOd in cash, from John J. Hannan. Chief-Detective Grace applied for a remand, as other charges were pending Accused was remanded for eight days, and allowed bail in two sureties of £30 each. WILFUL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Thomas Solan was charged that he did wilfully damage a window, tho property of George Biggins. Accused said lie did not know what he was doing at the time. Evidence was given by the arresting constable in support of the cliargo. Mr. Higgins' manager corroborated the last witness, and valued tho glass at 15s. He said his employer did not wish to press tho charge. His Worship taking this fact into consideration, remanded the accused till Saturday, to enablo him to leave the town. BREACHES OF DESTITUTE TERSONS ACT. Thomas Wheatcroft was charged with cruelty ti his wife, Robina Whcatcroft, and also with failing to provide for her maintenance and that of his child. Defendant did not appear. Mr. Earl appeared for complainant, who stated that she had to support herself and child. His Worship granted a separation order, the wife to have custody of Ihe child, and tho defendant was ordered to contribute 15s per week towards their maintenance, and to pay costs. James Hcffron was ordered to contribute 5s per week towards the maintenance of his child in the Industrial Home. Other cases of a like nature were either struck out or dismissed for want of prosecution.