POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13494, 22 May 1907, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

, ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. A young woman pleaded guilty before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday to a charge of attempting to commit suicide by taking carbolic acid. SubInspector Gordon explained that she had been in the hospital, where she had undergone an operation. . Lekrdant said she had no intention of taking . her life, but " something seemed ; a tell her to take the carbolic acid, and she did so." - ' " 7he magistrate discharged her. VAGRANCY.; Thomas Webster, 4 ' an oysterman, for whom Mr. W. E. Hackett appeared, was charged with" being a ' rogue and a vagabond. Chief-Detective M&rsack, who prosecuted, called witnesses to show that the accused had been continually seen in company with reputed thieves. It was also alleged that Webster was one ■, of the most dangerous men in Auckland. _ Accused said that he had been engaged in honest employment for some time, and had only recently entered into a contract to supply a city shopkeeper with oysters ; for six months.; Mi. Kettle convicted accused, and deferred sentence for a week. Patrick Knox, a fish-curer, represented by Mr. J. R. Reed, pleaded guilty to being an idle and disorderly person in that he had consorted with reputed thieves. Mr. Reed said that Knox had been in regular employment, but had consorted with bad characters. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. r William John Martin, a young man, was similarly charged, and also pleaded guilty. Mr. W. E. Hackett appeared for the accused and asked Mr. Kettle to give him another chance. Martin was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. . ' ~ UNHAPPY MARRIAGES. Ethel H. Whitelaw applied for a separation order from her husband, James Robert Whitelaw, on the grounds of persistent cruelty. Mr. Brookfield appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Singer for the defendant. •' . Complainant said that she was married to the defendant in 1901, and lived with him for a number of years. Witness had now left him as lie had ill-treated her' on many occasions. lie had also used bad language towards her, and was addicted to drink. ' . * ... Questioned by Mr. Singer witness denied that she had caused lier husband to make use of , bad language." . Defendant, a labourer, admitted that lie had used bad language towards his wife. • To Mr. Kettle: His behaviour had been brought about by his suspicions as to his wife's fidelity. . To, Mr.' Singer: He did not consider that his wife was a proper person to have the custody of the children._. Mr. Kettle reserved his decision. Edward Rule, a plumber, applied for a separation order ' from his • wife, Harriet Rule, on the grounds of desertion. Mr. Singer appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Sharpies for the defendant. Complainant said that his wife , had deserted him on several occasions, and had often used bad language towards him. : Cross-examined 'by Mr.' Sharpies witness denied having ever ill-treated his wife. The case was, adjourned until Tuesday next. '• V'- • On the application of his wife a separation order was issued against John Porter, on the grounds of persistent cruelty. Porter, who did not appear, was ordered to pay 10s per week towards the maintenance of his wife. MISCELLANEOUS. - „ Harold Johnston, who did not appear, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment .for disobeying an order of the Court for the maintenance of his mother. • The arrears ; amounted. to £8. .jw » Hiraii. Nixonj a middle-aged man, wha. had been arrested' in the Court on a charge of drunkenness • while out on bail, on a similar charge, was convicted and prohibited . for 12 months. , A first-offender was fined, 5s and costs, or in' default 24 hours' imprisonment, and another was.'; convicted and discharged on paying costs, . while a third, who did not appear, was ordered to forfeit the amount of bail (£1).