POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13456, 5 June 1907, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ALLEGED THEFT FROM THE

PERSON.

At the Police Court yesterday, before "Sir. C. G. Kettle, S.M., an able-bodied man named Charles James Menzies was charged with vagrancy and stealing about 16s from the person of John Costello. Sergeant Hendry prosecuted, and -Mr. Singer defended. The latter charge was heard first. .' .-.' "

j The complainant, a labourer, residing at Epsom, said that while he was talking to the accused and another man at Newmarket on the night of May 23 accused put his hand in witness' pocket, and took about 16s. Witness was then under the influence of liquor, but was not drunk. On the following morning witness met Menzies in Newmarket, and said, "I want that money back." Menzies replied, Here it is," and gave witness about 8s or 9s, saying, " I was only having a joke with you." To Mr. Kettle: Witness had no desire to prosecute Menzies, and wanted to withdraw the information against him. I At this stage Mr. Kettle remarked that he could not convict on the evidence of the complainant, and Sergeant Hendry offered further evidence. The charge of theft- was accordingly dismissed. On the other count Menzies was remanded until Monday next. Bail was allowed. REMANDS. V A man named Robert Henry Chappell was remanded until . Friday next on a charge of indecently assaulting a woman; on April 11. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £50 each. \ Henry Pickering, a young man, for whom Mr. Sharpies appeared, was remanded for a week on a charge of assaulting Arthur Bayliss, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Bail was allowed. On the application of Sergeant Hendry, i John Ledwedge, a middle-aged man, was remanded until Monday next on a charge of stealing a purse and its contents, valued j at £9, the property of Elizabeth Tattersall. AN' UNHAPPY MARRIAGE. Christina Pithie applied for a separation order from her husband, Frank Stewart Pithie, on the grounds of cruelty. Mr. Biookfield appeared for the complainant, and Mr. W. E. Hackett for the defendant, The complainant, in evidence, said that her husband had very often threatened to i take her life. He had also made accusations against her, and was addicted to drink. Defendant denied that he had ill-treated his wife or made any accusations against her. He also swore absolutely that he was not addicted to drink. • Mr. Kettle: Do you say that what your wife has said is untrue?" Defendant: Yes. Mr. Kettle said that gross perjury had been committed on either one side or the other,' and directed the police to investigate the matter. He then adjourned the case for two weeks. ' ''""•'. SIX BROTHERS AND THEIR FATHER. Six brothers, George, Thomas, Alexander, John, Frederick, and Peter Peterson, who were represented by, Mr. Burton, were each ordered by consent to pay Is 6d per week towards the support of their father, an old man already in receipt of the old age pension. >, MISCELLANEOUS. \ James Harvey, a middle-aged married man, was ordered to contribute 7s 6d per week towards the support of his illegitimate child. Mr. Sharpies appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Singer for this defendant. ■■-}-,':l''"SX, ' . '~" Robert H. Baitemah was fined'ss and costs for drunkenness, and £2, or in default one month's imprisonment, for committing a breach of his' prohibition order. Conrid Howell, charged with drunkenness, was convicted and discharged. He was also prohibited for twelve months, and ordered to pay costs. , .' ::