LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 12661, 15 September 1904, Page 7

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT NEWS. Yestjjhdax's sitting of tha Police. Court was held before Mr. E. O. Blomfield, S.M. Drunkenness: The only persons brought up for drunkenness were a first offender, who was fined 5s and costs, and William Martin, a third offender, who was fined 40» and costs. Caught Through a Mirror: When John Hawker entered the hairdressing establishment of Henry Cleal, in Queelf-street, on Tuesday last and stole a pipe from a show case while " nobody was looking," he did not reckon upon a mirror. As one of Mr Cleat's assistants was working at his cliaiti he happened to look into the glass, anc, there saw Hawker, who was at the counter,, calmly help himself to a 15s &d pipe from a show case, close the lid, and trausfei the briar to his pocket. Hawker, though drunk, made his way out of the shop, and the assistant following gave him in charge to Constable Ourtin. Such were the facts explained to Mr. Blomfield when Hawker was charged with theft and drunkenness, and Mr. \Blom:field, in remarking that the accused seemed unable to keep , himself straight when out of gaol, sent him back there for three months. An Overcrowded Tramcar: George Sheohan, tram conductor, was fined £5 and costs for allowing hi« oar to travel in an overcrowded state at Epsom a day or two ago. Sub-Inspector Black stated that the car, which was licensed to carry 56 passengers, carried 86, or 30 over. The magistrate asked who paid the fine, but tha sub-inspector said, he did not know. Prohibition Order Made: Edward Alcqck, by consent, was made the subject of a prohibition order. Young Man Steals a Bicycle: On March 29 last a young man named William Albert Murray stole a bicycle valued at £18, the property of Grinlinton and La Petit, and for this offence was convicted and remanded for the probation officer's report. According to Chiof-Deteotive Marsack the accused in March last purohased a bicycle for £18 from the complainants upon the hire-purchase system, the bicyole to be Le Petit's until Murray paid off the whole amount. The accused, however, did not keep to the terms of the agreement. He pawned the bicycle at a pawnbroker's, thereby converting it to his own use, which, of course, amounted to theft. As the Moused had a good character, ha suggested that be should get the advantages of the Probation Act, and the magistrate acted upon the suggestion. By-law Gases: Charles Beckman, proseouted by Mr. T. 0. Turner, the city traffic inspector, for running a waggon along the footway in Grafton Road, was discharged with a caution, as he was a small boy. Robert Hunt, for standing an unlicensed coffee stall in Queen-street, was fined 10s and costs.

A Tramway Case: In pleading guilty on behalf of Logan Leathart, charged with assaulting a tram inspector and with refusing to pay his faro on the same date, Mr. Baxter, counsel, attributed the offences to drink. He said that when the accused was travelling in an One-hunga car on August 27 last a dispute arose as to the payment of fare, and as his client was drunk he behaved in the rnanaer set out. At the same time, ho would admit that the accused had assaulted a tramway inspector on a previous oecasioH, and as that was also due "to drink he suggested that the magistrate should issue a prohibition order «gainst Leathart. Mr. Newton, appearing on behalf of the Tramways Company, said that the inspector was assaulted at Epsom, where the accused rushed at him op seeing him in the barn. The magistrate said he would give Leathart another chance. Instead of sending him to prison he would fine him £5 and costs ipon the first charge and £2 and costs upon the second. " Tram conductors and inspectors must be protected," said Mr. Blomfield. A prohibition order was also issued. Boarder's Room Robbed: Charles Stanley Dunfcy, 19 years of age, robbed a boarder's room at his mother's house on September 8. He stole a rolled gold chain valued at £], some trinkets, and £2 10s in money, the property of May Ohignoll. It was observed that though Dunfoy was " wanting monay" before the Bth, he was "Slush of cash" afterwards. Oflt the following Saturday, when Detective Kennedy discovered that the accused was going away in the Rotokino, he asked the accused where he had got the cash. First of all Dunfoy said he got it from a mate, but subsequently he said he would tell the truth, and he then admitted committing the robbery. These facts, as stated in evidence, were admitted by Dunfoy, who pleaded guilty to the offence, and was committed for sentence. Receiving Stolen Property: Joseph Stopp. when oharged with receiving the rolled gold chain stolen by Dunfoy knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained, pleaded guilty. The accused, Cnief-Deteotive Marsack said, was a mate of Dunfoy's. When the detectives went to the Rotokino on Saturday Dunfoy gave the chain to the accused, who, when questioned, first of all denied possession. Later, however, he confessed to receiving the chain, which would probably have never been recovered had bo not told the detectives where it was. "He put it down the _ handle-bar of his bicycle, said the detective, "and was evidently trying to shield his friend." The accused was convicted and remanded for the probation officer's report.

HAMILTON DISTRICT COURT. The quarterly sitting of the Hamilton District Court was held on Tuesday before Judge Kettle. The only case was a charge of sly grogselling at Taumarunui on July 3 against J. P. Gaffey. Mr. Tole appeared for the Crown and Mr. J. Lundon for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Joseph Higgins deposed that on July 3 he was sewed by accused with liquor; a man named Benn©3 "shouted" for him. Accused was in the bar and took the money. After August 8 accused wanted him to go to the Islands in order that ha might not give evidence in a case against Mrs. Gaffey. Charles McDonnell, farmer, deposed that bo was boarding at Gaffey's on July_ 3. At about nine or half-past nine Higgins came to the door. Higgius said a mob was after him. He saw no liquor sold, and the men were not out of his presence. Alfred Yates, interpreter, corroborated the last witness' evidence. Priacilk Gaffey deposed that no liquor was supplied on July 3. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.