LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12400, 13 October 1903, Page 7

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT NEWS. • -The sitting of "the- Police Court yesterday Wag held before Mr. H. W. Brabant, S.M. Drunkenness: Three first offenders, who did not appear, were convicted and fined the Amount of bail (£1). Another, on pleading guilty,- was > convicted 1 and discharged. Henry Wm. Smith and John Braslin, both previously convicted, were fined 5s each, or, in default, 24 hours' imprisonment. Assault: A charge was read against William Alexander Johnstone of assaulting Margaret Little on the lltli fast. Accused pleaded guilty, but said that he had had provocation. The evidence showed that on complainant entering the house of accused, with whom her- daughter was living, Johnstone struck her in the face and knocked her down. His Worship, in convicting aocused, said he could not look upon the assault as a, trivial one, and inflicted a fine of £5, or, in default, one month's imprisonment.

A Youthful Offender: A boy 11 years of ago was charged with having, on tho 6th inst., at Dcvonport, broken into the premises of William -Meliuloe and stolen therefrom one bugle and £2 10s in money, to the total value of £3 10s. Mr. J. Alexander appeared for the accused, and in stating the facts of the case mentioned that on the date in question the accused was engaged with another boy in helping to shift some furniture from complainant s house. Having noticed a bugle hanging up on the wall, and knowing whore the money was kept, ho took possession, and, boy-like, got frightened and disappeared. He was afterwards discovered riding about on the electric tramcars in Auckland." Sub Inspector Black said the facts as stated were true, but added that tho theft had been committed after the house had been locked up and the key put under the mat, which latter act was seen by the defendant. Tho boy had also noticod where the money had been laid, having been present when a local tradesman had been paid. Accused pleaded guilty. Counsel informed His Worship that the bugle and money had been restored to tho owners, who did not wish tho prosecution to proceed. Mr. Brabant said that in view of the previous good character that tho boy had borne he would convict the accused and discharge him on the understanding that his father would enter into a bond for his future good behaviour and would send, the boy into the country. The lad's father agreed to do this. Illegally on Premises: Two charges were read against Joseph B. Doherty of being found by night without lawful excuse on the premises of Mrs. Nicholls, Parnoll, and of stealing one dolf plate, valued at Is, from the same dwelling. The evidence showed that the accused had first been noticed prowling about the house on Saturday night fast. A postman who lived opposite noticed this and went to inform tho police-. On Constable Hutchison arriving on tho scene the accused was found sitting on the road. He was then charged with being illegally on Mrs. Nicholls' premises, and a search revealed the fact that he had one of Mrs. Nicholls* delf places concealed about his clothing. Accused denied the charges. His Worship convicted and remanded Doherty until Thursday next for the probation officer's report. * Remanded: Alexander Anderson, Ella Regan and Minnie Bisman were all separately charged with being idle and disorderly, in that they habitually consorted with reputed prostitutes. Anderson and the woman Regan were also charged with keeping a brothel in Upper Queen-street, while the girl Bisman was accused of assisting in the management of the same. Mr. J. O. Martin appeared for the defence, and asked that a remand be granted until Monday next. His Worship granted tho application and allowed bail. ' ■ ' ' Sentenced to One Month: Lawrence Pitkethley denied charges of being idle and disorderly, in that he habitually consorted with reputed prostitutes and of not having sufficient lawful'means of support. The effect of the evidence for the prosecution was ; that defendant had not worked for the past six months, and that he had been living on the earnings of two prostitutes. The accused was convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. . Prohibited Person on Licensed Premises: Peter Peterson pleaded guilty to a charge of being on the licensed premises of the Criterion Hotel. His Worship inflicted a fine of 40s, or, in default,, days' imprisonment. A Dangerous Dog: -William Weir was charged with being -the- owner of a dog which, on the 6th r inst., at Eden Terrace, rushed out and endangered the limbs of Charlotte Fletcher. Defendant admitted the charge, and agreed to destroy the dog. The case was adjourned for a week to. see that this was done. .";"."• - ,.■. ■ Dismissed: John.Thorpe was defended by Mr J 0. Martin on a charge of assaulting Alexander Williams at Ellerslie on September 28. Mr. Burton appeared for the prosecution. Having heard the case His Worship said that it appeared that the facts were that complainant, who was employed in accused's stables, had asked to be allowed to go to tho races, but was denied that privilege. In spite of that, while defendant was awav out of town, he had gone to the races along with several other stable hands, thus leaving the horses not under proper care. The parties had met at the stable on the evening of.the 28th, when, as the result of an argument, a rough and tumble fight took place. The informant had stated that defendant hit him first but the latter had said that he only acted in self-defence, as Williams rushed at him. The question which His Worship had to consider was as to which Bide of the case could be relied upon Coneidering that several of the stable hands had left subsequently and that one of them had stated to a bootmaker that they would not EO back unless £40 was distributed among them by defendant, complainant s . case could not be relied upon. The case would therefore be dismissed, each party to pay his own costs.

Mr A .T. Woodley, manager of the Auckland ' Workingmen's Club, writes to deny the statement made in the course of the hearin" of the assault case Henry Tanner v. Thomas Troy that an altercation between .the parties took place at the club. Ho says Troy is not a member of the club, and was not on the premises on the evening in question, or any other evening to his knowledge.