POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14478, 19 September 1910, Page 9

POLICE COURT NEWS.

BOGUS COLLECTOR.

A YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT.

Mr. W. Coi.tman, J.P., presided at a sitting of the Police Court, on Saturday. Franklin Hulse Kenwortliy, who was previously convicted as a rogue and a vagabond, at Wellington, pleaded guilty to a charge of being an incorrigible rogue, having collected subscriptions by false pretences. The accused had the appearance of once having been a respectable and well-to-do man. Station-Sergeant Treanor said that the accused had visited many people, representing himself as a collector for the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. He collected a good sum, and had lived for some time on the proceeds. The case was a very gross one, as a really charitable body had been robbed. The accused was sent to gaol for 12 months. He had been collecting since June 10, and received a total sum of £10 13s. A BAD CASE. William Jones, charged with theft at Taniwha, of a watch, valued at 7s 6d, the property of John Colin Begbie, entered a plea of guilty. Station-Sergeant Treanor stated that the ease was a bad one, the watch having been stolen by the accused from his own mate. His Worship, in inflicting a penalty, recognised that the accused had already Buffered considerable punishment, as any respectable young man must do in his position. The accused was fined £1. "BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT." Thomas Fitzroy, alias Fitzgerald, alias Desmond, an old man, admitted drunkenness, but pleaded not guilty to a charge of being an incorrigible rogue and vagabond, having insufficient lawful means of support, and having been previously convicted as a -rogue and vagabond. Evidence was called to the effect that the accused is always "hanging about" the town drunk, and doing no work. There was a very long list of previous convictions against his name. The accused asserted volubly that he had been working. On the charge of drunkenness, he was fined £5, in default, one month's imprisonment. His Worship gave him the benefit of the doubt on the vagrancy charge, and dismissed it. CRIMINAL CARELESSNESS. Herbert Coppens. for whom Mr. W. Endean appeared, pleaded guilty to theft of an overcoat, valued at £2 17s 6d, the property of Spencer Hutton. Mr. Endoriti said that the accused found himself in the dock as the result more of carelessness than of criminal intent. He had merely taken the coat away from the place where he was employedmuch as a man borrows an umbrella on a wet day—fully intending to bring it back. If the owner of the coat had asked him for it, he could' have had it back at once, without any trouble whatever. His Worship inflicted a fine of £1. ALLEGED^THEFT. William Smith was charged with theft at Auckland, on Friday, of a horse and gig, harness, rug. mackintosh, and bag of samples, of a total value of £50, the property of Walter Powell. He was remanded until Friday next. DRUNKENNESS. Maud Elaine Bowden, who had been found in a state of helpless drunkenness, was still suffering so badly that she could not walk unaided, and had to be supported by two constables. She was re nianded for a week for medical treatment. Martin Lestrange was fined £1, or seven days. I