POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

BANGER OF FIRE IN THE DOMAIN. Further evidence of the danger Auckland runs of having one Of its great natural assets spoiled was forthcoming at the Police Court yesterday before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M. Only last Tuesday three men were before the Court, having been found sleeping in the Domain, and the same evening a young man of decent appearance and gentlemanly bearing, named George "Richard Morrison, who was found sleeping under the trees, was arrested. He was charged with being an idle and disorderly person.

Sergeant Hendry said that the arresting constable's attention had been drawn to defendant's camp by the flare of matches. The camp was in some dry underscrub.

The defendant's statement was to the effect that lie arrived in Auckland about Christmas time with £4, which ' had dwindled, until he was now penniless and friendless. He was the son of a retired contractor in the South, but did not wish his parents to know of his circumstances. He was an engineer by trade, and had been searching for. work over since his arrival, but his poor physique was against him. He had now obtained a job, and should'have gone to work at 7.30 yesterday. He had gone to the Domain to sleep, rather than accept charity.

Mr. Kettle said it seemed to him that, there should be some strict supervision of the Domain during the summer •'months, otherwise there might be trouble through the lighting of fires there.. The whole of the native bush might easily be ruined. Defendant was told to go away and take up the employment offered him, if still open, and report the residt to the police.

THE MIDDLE WATCH. A sailor named Sidney Percy Good was charged that on February 10, being a seaman lawfully engaged to serve the' British ship Tokomaxu. he did wilfully disobey the lawful commands of the chief officer to go below and work cargo. Sergeant Hendry prosecuted on behalf of the police. Arthur Charles Eeid, chief officer of the steamer Tokomaru,' gave evidence that the ship was lying in the powder-ground on Monday afternoon, and at about five o'clock accused, who had finished working in a lighter alongside, was ordered to go below and work cargo. He refused, and said he had worked long enough,that day. Accused went "for'ard" and commenced to pack his kit. Witness followed him, and again ordered him to go into the hold. Accused was.shipped as an A.B. in London, and that day's work had started at six a.m., and had kept up continuously, with the exception of intervals for meals. If the crew were required to work overtime they were paid for it. Witness, in reply to an interjection from accused, said the vessel came into port at 10 o'clock on Sunda'y evening and anchored. Accused was not told off alone for the middle watch (12 to four a.m.). The middle watch should have been taken by four men in watches of one hour each, but they had gambled as to one taking the whole watch, and accused was "lucky" enough to be chosen. Accused admitted telling the chief officer he had worked long enough for one day and going into the fo'castle when ordered to go into the hold. He had been turned out for the middle watch, and had only had two hours' rest before going on his day's work of 12 hours. He alleged that the hands were badly treated, and that it was no use complaining to the captain. He admitted that they had gambled as. to who should take the watch. He considered he had signed on for a 12 hours' day, in accordance with Board of Trade rules. , Mr. Kettle , said that if accused had any. complaints to. make they should be made to the Collector of Customs. Sergeant , Hendry said it was evident, that if accused was sent aboard now he would desert at once. .

Mr. Kettle ordered the police to communicate with Mr. Kneen, secretary of the Seamen's Union, in order that accused . might have an opportunity of acquainting him of. his grievance. The seaman was remanded till Monday.

A SAD CASE. , A young woman of good appearance., named Violet Paton, was charged with drunkenness and with being a rogue and vagabond. ' Sergeant Hendry, in opening the case, said .this was one of those painful cases of a young girl of good possibilities drifting into bad associations. Defendant was convicted last July, of being idle and disorderly, and was put in the Door of Hope for three months. The matron said her conduct was remarkably good while under her care, and she was willing to take her again, for she had hopes of her ultimate reformation. Sergeant Hendry 'went on to say that the girl was weak-minded. Mrs. Hutchinson, matron of the Door of Hope, offered to take the girl for 12 months, but accused demurred, and, despite the persuasions of the magistrate and matron, remained obdurate. She was then convicted and remanded till Saturday morning to see what could be done for her.

BREACHES OF BY-LAWS. George Harrison, a carrier by occupation, was charged with failing to comply with the New Zealand railway regulations to stop when an engine was approaching and with attempting to drive over a level crossing at more than a walking pace at the Beach Road crossing. Sergeant Hendry stated that at the time in question a train was leaving the station and another was backing in. Harrison was hurrying to cross, and disobeyed the signalman's instructions, and in consequence a serious accident nearly occurred. Defendant denied having disobeyed the signalman, but admitted that he was in "a bit of a hurry." He had been driving for 10 years, and this was his first mistake. Mr. Kettle convicted and fined the man 10s and costs. Andrew Parsons, of Devonport, was charged with wilfully obstructing the traffic at the Takapuna racecourse on Anniversary Day, and also with driving a vehicle that did not have the number of passengers it Was licensed to carry plainly marked thereon. Defendant denied having committed the offence, and said that he had steadied bis vehicle and had pulled it to one side when a lady started to get in. He could not drive on at the moment the constable told him, or he may have injured the lady. In any case, competition was so keen that he did not feel inclined to refuse passengers. Mr. Kettle said there was a code of honour among cabmen, which defendant had broken. He would be fined 10s and costs. John H. Chapman, on a similar charge, was fined 10s and costs.

JUVENILE OFFENDERS. Three small boys, who were remanded some weeks ago on the charge of stealing some bottles of ginger beer from a shop in Wakefield-street, were again before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at the Juvenile Court yesterday. The remand had been made in order that the schoolmasters of the boys might be communicated with as to their characters. The schoolmasters of two of the boys gave them good characters and they were therefore discharged,, after being severely lectured on the dangers of contact with evil companions. The third lad, by name William Grey, did not make an appearance, and, as his record for school attendance was bad, he having only attended school on 10 occasions out of a possible 104, it was decided to deal with him on his appearance. Mr. Kettle remarked that this boy was apparently the bad one of the three.

MISCELLANEOUS. George Sohofield, who did not appear, was charged with having behaved in a disorderly manner in, the Star Hotel while in a state of drunkenness. . Defendant was convicted and ordered to forfeit his bail of £10. One first offender for drunkenness was convicted and fined the usual amount of 5s and costs.