LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11552, 16 January 1901, Page 7

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT NEWS. m. H. W. Brabant, S.M., presided at the Police Court yesterday morning. Drunkenness: Two first offenders were , cautioned and discharged, and a thud was remanded for medical treatment. : Theft* -i- young girl named Minnie ' Robertson pleaded guilty to having, a Reinuera, on December 24, . stolen three nightdresses, the property of Catherine Hutchison. Accused said die was sorry for what she had done, and Chief Detoctive grace asked that she be leniently dealt with. Accused was remanded till to-morrow for • the report of the probation officer. Bv-law Cases: Samuel Crvmmick pleaded piiilty to driving a vehicle at other than a walking pace round the comer of Khyber Pass Road and Symonds-street, and was fined 10s, and costs 7s. The same charge was laid against Wm. Hawkins who also pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay the game fine and costs. lhos. Stoddart, for leaving a cart unattended in Market Square, was fined ss, and costs 7s. Maintenance: Ernest Mason consented to an order of 6s per week for the maintenance of his illegitimate child. A Famiiv Quarrel: A case against Henry Parker for failing to provide his wife and children, at Devonport, with adequate means of support, was heard at considerable lengt . Mr. Baume appeared for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, who prosecuted, and Mr. Gregory appeared for the defendant. Mrs. Parker, in evidence stated that for some time past there had been trouble between her husband and herself owing to defendant s attentions to a 3 There had been periodical 'rows between them on the subject. Defendant had struck witness, and had threatened to " do" for her, and for himself afterwards "About a fortnight ago witness was compelled to leave her husband. She considered it would bo unsafe for her to go back to live with her husband. A daughter of the parties, aged about 12, stated that on " an }'" ary 3 she heard her father threaten to kill her mother. Her mother left the house, and father sent witness to find her mother, threatening to kill witness if she did not find her mother. Witness could not find her mother, and came back and went to beet. Defendant, in evidence, stated that ho had frequently had occasion to remonstrate with his wife about incurring debts, but he had never threatened her in the way she had alleged. With reference to the girl, ho said he would "skelp" hor if she did not find her mother, not that he would kill her. In cross-examination by Mr. Baume, delendant admitted that he had walked arm-in-arm with a girl, but there had been nothing further to cause any jealousy on the part of his wife. After further evidence for the defence, Mabel Parker, a sister of the defendant, said sho heard Mrs. Parker tell her little girl to tell Mr. Baume that her father said he would murder her if she did not go and bring her mother bacc. Witness remonstrated with Mr?. barker about telling the child to state what was not true. She also heard Mrs. Parker say she would swear anything to get a separation. Mrs. Parker had stated to witness that hor husband had not been cruel to her. Mr. Gregory, in addressing the Bench', admitted that defendant had been foolish, but he denied cruelty, and was quite prepared that the wife should return home. On the suggestion of the Magistrate, the case was adjourned till Saturday in the hope of a settlement being arrived at between the parties.

ONEHUNGA POLICE COURT. Mr. T. Hutchison, S.M., presided at the Onehunga Police Court yesterday morning. Alleged Obstruction: Andrew Syms, Bert Syms, Daniel Dempsey, and Thomas Collicut, were charged with placing an obstruction on a public road on Norman's Hill, on the evening of December 31 last. The first three defendants admitted the offence. ColJicut nleaded not guilty, and stated that while he was with the others, he took no part in the placing of the obstruction on the road. His Worship stated that Collicut was equally guilty with tho other defendants, because he was one of them. They were each fined 10s, end costs 19s. Damaging a Gate; Thomas polliout and Daniel Dempsey were charged with damaging a gate, the property of Mr. A. J. Poplo, on the night of December 31 last. Mr. Uople Stated that on the" night in question he heard persons miking a noise outside his premises, and on getting up he. found they had removed one of his gates by breaking-the hinges. Defendants were fined 10s each, and 14 Costs. They wero also ordered to pay the sum of os for repairing the gate. Riding on 'the Footpath: -Tames Batten pleaded guilty to riding a bicycle on tho footpath in Onehunga, contrary to the borough by-law. He was fined ss, and 7s coste.