POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13926, 7 December 1908, Page 8

POLICE COURT NEWS.

" HIS LATE COMFORTABLE QUARTERS."

At tile Police Court on- Saturday, before Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., Francis Webb was charged with having used bad language in Queen-street, and also with having been guilty of threatening behaviour to J. S. Rowe. v . , ;

It was stated that accused, who had only recently been liberated from gaol, went up to Rowe as he- was conversing' with * friend in Queen-street on Friday afternoon, about five o'clock, and, after having made use of much objectionable language to him, threatened to "rip him open." At first Rowe took .no notice of the accused, but finding that he persisted in his behaviour, he gave him in charge. When searched Webb was -found to have a butcher's cleaver in his possession.

Sergeant Hendry said that Webb had only come out of prison on Thursday. He was a man who would not work. Sergeant Eales had gone to great trouble and secured a position/ for him, but as soon as ho entered it he commenced drinking. " The man has been treated so well by the State," remarked Sergeant. Hendry, " that he is anxious to get back to his late -comfortable quarters." (Laughter.) His Worship convicted tho accused and remanded him for a week for sentence.

"RAX SHORT OF MONEY." A middle-aged woman named Margaret Guerin pleaded not guilty to having stolen Is 9d belonging to Mrs." Hibbs. The evidence showed that while slightly under tho influence of liquor the accused had entered Mrs. Hibbs' house at Freeman's Bay, and gone into a bedroom, where the complainant's son found her with her hand stretched towards a purse belonging to his mother. The accused did not give evidence, merelv remarking. "I did not take it." * His Worship said that he must hold the accused guilty. She had evidently been drinking, and having run short of money she had endeavoured to obtain more in order to purchase liquor. She would be convicted, and prohibited for 12 months, and also ordered to refund the amount stolen.

NEGLECTING HER CHILDREN. The young woman Sarah Chappell, who had pleaded" guilty to neglecting her two children, and had" been remanded for sentone*, was committed to the Door of Hope lor 12 months. In impressing upon the accused that she should be thankful that there was such an institution as the Door of Hope, Mr. Kettle expressed the 1 wish that he could " get hold of the blackguards who had pulled the girl down, although she, herself, -was not absolutely blameless. '

MISCELLANEOUS. Anita de Renzy. a middle-aged woman, pleaded guilty to being an incorrigible rogue, and Hi-) Worship decided. to remand her for a week to sec what could bo done for her. Arthur Wkld&s, a middle-aged man, admitted his fifth offence for drunkenness within six months, while he also pleaded guilty to having procured liquor during the currency of a prohibition order m. toice against* him. Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and declared to be an habitual; drunkard. _ A young fellow who explained that he had "knocked down" a cheque- for £22 during a short visit to Auckland, pleaded guilty to drunkenness. You appear to be a decent, honest fellow, whose only failing is the drink." said Mr. Kettle, addressing the accused. "I shall convict you and remand you until seven o'clock on Monday morning, when you: will be placed on board the train for Heiensville where work will be provided for you." • . For his fourth offence for drunkenness within the last six months William Barrett was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. '■'■■'■■'■ : ' ;: ■ ;. '