POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13873, 6 October 1908, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

OYSTER-PICKER FINED. At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., a middle-aged man named Arthur Watson was charged with taking oysters from Rangitoto, on September 13, in contravention of the Sen. Fisheries Act. Mr. Mays appeared for the prosecutor, Mr. Bennett, inspector of fisheries for Hauraki Gulf. The defendant admitted having taken half a bottle of the bivalves. Mr. Mays: "We are not particular regarding the measurement." Explaining the circumstances, counsel said that Mr. Bennett was manoeuvring round the island on the date in question, when he detected Watson, and subsequently discovered the oysters behind some rocks. Defendant, continued Mr. Mays, had been caught, but for every one caught, probably a, hundred got away. Defendant eaid he had been fishing, but having no luck he turned his attention to the oysters, being in- ignorance of the law. Mr. Mays said he had reason to believe that defendant was an old hand. It was certainly suspicious that the proper gear had been found on him, and, moreover, he had hidden the oysters on the appearance of the inspector. The Magistrate said that evidently a penalty of £3, which had been inflicted in the past, was insufficient. This time it would be £5, and next time it would: be still higher. A COWARDLY ASSAULT. A thick-set young man named Frank "Watson was charged with assaulting Captain Preston, of the Salvation Army men's shelter, in Wellesley-fitreet East, causing him actual bodily harm. Station-Sergeant Hendry, who prosecuted, said that defendant went to the People's Palace, on September 20, in a» intoxicated condition,, after having been ejected the previous night for being drunk and disorderly. On the second occasion he was again hustled out of the building. When he reached the pavement he ran straight to the gutter, picked up a large piece of brick, and threw it at the complainant, striking him a severe blow on the ear and head, necessitating his absence from duty ever since. Sergeant Eales stated that when arrested accused eaid he supposed it would mean five years for him, adding when he heard the extent of Preston's injuries, "They can't hang a man for that, anywav. Accused pleaded, "guilty under provocation," and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. IN SCANT ATTIRE. | ! Two young women, named Nellie O'Driscolf and Irene Hogan, were charged with assaulting Ellen Cahill; last. Saturday night. ■ ' ' .'J'be.,;.circumstances. were-somewhat unusual. It was alleged that accused knocked at complainant's door in Greystreet, and when she appeared they dragged her outside. Mrs. Cahill, it was stated, was in night attire. Complainant admitted she had slapped defendants in the face at the door. Accordingly, Mrs. Cahill found herself charged with assault also. Defendants were fined £2 each, and Mrs. Cahill £1, Mr. Dyer expressing the opinion that she had exaggerated the facts of her case. A TRIANGULAR ,DUEL. The Court was occupied during the whole of the afternoon in hearing a series of charges and counter-charges preferred against three women on private in formations. " Mrs. Grace Hutchison charged Mrs. Cecelia Elley and Mrs. Margaret Worth with. assault, insulting language, and theft of a fur muff, amongst other charges. It was asked that defendants should be" bound over to. keep 'the' peace. On the other band, Mrs. Hutchison was ! charged with assault and insulting language,, arising out of the same circum- , stances, and it was sought to have her bound over to keep the peace. Mr. Lundon appeared for Mrs. Hutchison, and ! Mr; Hackctt for the other parties, and a plea of not guilty was entered in all charges. In giving his judgment, Mr. Dyer said, there, was, as usual, a great conflict of testimony in this case. According to the evidence, he thought Mrs. Elley and Mrs. Worth were at fault, and certain of their actions had not been explained satisfactorily. It was not likely that one woman would assault two others in. the circumstances. All the parties were bound over to keep the peace for six months, in their own bonds of £20 each, convictions being recorded against each party. MISCELLANEOUS. . For drunkenness, Herbert Woods and Matthew J. Vessoy. were each fined 10s, with the usual alternative. One first offender was fined ss, and two forfeited their bail. Arthur Weddas made his fourth appearance within a year, this time on a charge of being an habitual drunkard. The magistrate expressed his regret that the "Island" was full, and sentenced him to one month's imprisonment, adjudging him to be an habitual drunkard. For a breach of his prohibi- I tion order defendant was fined £2, or one month, the sentences to be concurrent. Charles McLean was charged with being found on licensed premisesthe Wynyard Arms Hotel—on a Sunday, and pleaded a lapse through thoughtlessness. He was convicted and ordered to pay costs. Doris Harper was convictad, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person. Wrn. Mitchell was fined £4 in all, for assaulting Martin Murphy and using bad language. , A young girl, charged with having stolen .a quantity of jewellery, valued at £5, from the residence of a lady at Thames, where she was staying, was convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. - . ■■ i