POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15518, 28 January 1914, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

MAINTENANCE CLAIM.

"SUMMED YOU UP."

Fob failing to obey an order of the Court to contribute £1 per week towards the support of his wife Walter C: Kisbee appeared at the Police Court, yesterday before Mr. F. V. Frazer, 8.M.. but he expressed a keen desire for an adjournment of the case so that he might obtain the assistance of a solicitor. His fellow-employees, he stated, were going to present him with a, sum of money so that he might engage a solicitor.

" Very strange that thev should do so when action is being taken against you for maintenance by your wife," remarked Mr. Frazer.

The case was heard without legal assistance.

The complainant said that though the order was £50 in arrears she had made the amount £18, which represented the period the defendant had been out of the hospital and earning money. He had left his work on Saturday so that he would not be able to pay, she added. The defendant's case was that he was not earning regular wages. He had left his work because his nerves were going, and, as he worked at a dangerous machine with other men, he might be responsible far their rirfury. The magistrate evinced surprise at the self-sacrificing nature of this proceeding. "I hare jajt about summed you up," ho said. "You will pay £1 a week off the arrears, and whOe yoa do so the order will be suspended, in default two months' imprisonment."

YOUNG WIFE'S TRIALS. "I have been receiving charitable aid for about eight months, but I have only a few shillings. Last night I could not' find a room for the night until nine o'clock. I have still to find shelter for to-night." Such was the pitiful story of Ruby McLennan a young woman with two children, who asked for a maintenance order against her husband, Frederick W. J. McLennan. She further stated that her husband had taken her to Sydney some time ago, but had deserted her there, and had come back to New Zealand. Her brother provided her with money to return to Auckland, the defendant had recently gone to Hawkes Bay, but had not sent her any money, though he was earning 9s per day. 1 An order for 27s weekly was made. BREACHES OF BY-LAWS. For leaving a motor-car in Lome Street without a rear light burning William Hughes was fined 5s and costs 7s. Joseph Clarke was fined 10s and costs for driving a motor-car along Queen Street without showing rear lights. On a similar charge Adrian Wilkins was nnea the same amount. George Sutcliffe was fined £1 and costs £1 lis for driving a motor-car on the wrong side of the road, a man having been run oyer in consequence. A youth' named William C. Sharp -who on December 27, while, cycling along Karangahape Road, collided with Sergeant Lanigan, knocking him down, appeared before the Court, charged with faffing to ring a, warning bell. "It was quite accidental, said the. defendant. 3 But you are not charged with assaulting the police " said the magistrate, smiling. The defendant said that- he had rung his bell, but it was not a loud one. Mr. Frazer said that purchasing a new bell would be the fine ; and ordered the payment of costs, 6s. INSOBRIETY. Two first-offenders for drunkenness did not appear, and were fined the, amount of their bail, and another was convicted and discharged. . • A man who had been arrested that morning for drunkenness was remanded for a week's medieai- treatment.' .'■ '■; "\ MISCELLANEOUS. *'* *"*' 4 ' "Arthur Coles ,{Mr, Luncion). pleaded guilty to. the. charge, of stealing two acetylene lamps, valued at 35s the pro-' perty of William Forrest, in becember, 1911. Mr. Lundon said that the lamps, which were the property of the accused's employer, were borrowed in the first place for a camping expedition*, but they had not been returned. A fine of £2 was imposed. William John Pickup (Mr. Lundon) appeared on the charge of failing to provide his wife with adequate means of maintenance. Mr. Denniston, who appeared for the complainant, asked for a remand until ' "<%, which was granted. Mr. Lundon affirmed that the defendant had been arrested without cause. He had come from Whangarei with his wife for a holiday and had no intention of leaving her. '