POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14372, 17 May 1910, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

A LICENSING CASE.

CHARGES AGAINST A PUBLICAN

Arthl'R Bach was charged at tho Police Court yesterday, before Mr. E. C. Cut ten, S.M., that on April 21 he, being tho innkeeper of tho United Servico Hotel, did sell liquor to 0110 Thomas Quiiin, while tho latter was in an intoxicated condition. Bach was further charged with permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises. Mr. F. Earl, on behalf of accused, pleaded not guilty. - Sub-Inspector Hendrcy, in opening the caa for tho prosecution, stated that, on tho date in question the police visited tho hotel and found two men sitting on a box, both being in a drunken condition. On being taken from tho hotel 0110 of the men, Quinn, informed tho police that tho barmaid had his. money and his watch. On. the police 'making inquiries the barmaid informed them that Quinn had given his watch and bank-book to her to mind, but she absolutely denied having received any money from him. Quinn would appear as a witness, but unfortunately the other man could not be found. Thomas Quinn gave evidence for tho prosecution.'

In answer to Mr. Earl, witness admitted spending his money rather freely while in Auckland. Ho did not remember the defendant having ordered him off the promises earlier in the evening, but if defendant said so ho could not contradict him. Defendant did not know where witness was going to when ho left town. Witness had told the license© that he would stay in town and give evidence if it would bo of any use to him. Sergeant Powell gave evidence as to the arrest of Quinn in the United Service Hotel. To Mr. Karl: Witness considered Mr. Bach a careful man in the conduct of his house. . •-. Mr. Earl, in opening the case for the defence, said there was no evidence to- show that the licensee had permitted drunkenness. He had the reputation of being a model publican. For 25 years ho had been a licensee, and no prosecutions had been

brought against him. Counsel pointed out that IS years had yet to run of the lease of the hotel. According to the conditions of the lease Bach would bo compelled to transfer his license if there was any conviction recorded against him. In view of this couneel contended that ic was most unlikely that he would permit drunkenness on his premises, or allow a drunken man to bo served. No evidence had been adduced to show that the man referred to had been served in the hotel.

After tho license© had given evidence supporting counsel's statement, the ease was adjourned until Thursday in order to give counsel an opportunity of submitting various authorities bearing on the case to His "Worship. '

WANTED A PENNY.

. A coloured woman named Sarah Valluck was charged with being an idle ana disorderly person, in that sne had begged alms in a public place. The police evidence was that 011 Saturday 'last the accused was under the influence of liquor. 'She asked a sergeant of police for a pennj to pay a tram fare. Me warned her mat she was committing an illegal act. Accused was afterwards found wandering about apparently having no home to go to, ana she was arrested. . •

Accused protested that she had a homo of her own, and bad only come to Auckland for a business visit, when she took a drop of drink, which caused all her trouble. She pleaded hard to bo given another chance. The magistrate said mat drink appeared to be the cause of her trouble, and said he would give her seven days' imprisonment to get clear of it. ;

•Creating -A disturbance.

Marius Christian Larsen and George Armstrong were each charged with behaving in a public place in a manner whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned on Hay 1 14. Sub-Inspector Hendrey stated that Armstrong was quietly having a meal at a coffee-stall when Larsen came , along and used filthy language, a disturbance resulting. Larsen ' was evidently the caus-3 of the whole trouble.' After hearing the evidence ■ the magistrate dismissed the case against Armstrong. A further charge was preferred against Larson of using obscene language on the 14th inst. Aocusea pleaded guilty to both ' charges, and was • remanded until Thursday for sentence.

KEFUSING TO QUIT.

A joung man of respectable appearance, named James Pullar, pleaded, not guilty to a charge of drunkenness and guilty to a charge of refusing to quit the Prince Arthur Hotel when ordered' to do so by the licensee. Sub-Inspector Hendrey stated that a constable had been called in to put the accused off the premises. While being put out he struck at > the constable, and afterwards, while being taken to the police station, informed the constable he knew he had no right in* the hotel, but he wanted \to be known as a hard case; *'" and he has evidently; had his wish granted," concluded the eub-iuspector. _ After evidence had been given the magistrate convicted and discharged .the . accused on the charge of . drunkenness and fined him . £2, or seven days, on the other charge.

INTEMPERANCE

v Charles Reid and Alexander Reid were each charged with being found in the British Hotel on April 4 during the currency of "a prohibition order against them. They .were < convicted, and the former was fined £2 or seven days, and the latter £l. y (xcorgina O'Shea, alias Carroll, pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk in St. •Paul-street, arid was fined 10s or 48 hours. Mary Whittingham was fined 10s or 48 hours on a charge of being found drunk in the Sjmonds-strcet cemetery. ■: • John Angus was convicted and discharged on. a charge of drunkenness. On a similar charge William Thomas Riordan, alias Reardon, was found guilty and fined 10s or 40 hoars. John Slallone, 'also, charged with drunkenness,' Tvas fined 5s or 24 hours, and Thomas Davev, similarly charged, was fined £l. or three (lays. ' ' Three first offenders, charged with drunkenness, did not appear, and were each ordered to forfeit the amount of their bail, £l. . Another first offender, similarly charged, was fined 53 or 24 hours.

James McQnoid was fined 10s or 48 hours »or drunkenness. On a similar charge William. Barker was fined £1 or thro© days.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Denis O'lCcefo pleaded guilty to a charge of wing obscene language in the Hobson Hotel on May 14, and was fined £2, in dofault. seven days.

1; Edward McMahon pleaded guilty to charges of entering licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order against him. A fine of £3 and costs "l7s was inflicted.