POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15747, 23 October 1914, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

FAILURE OF PROSECUTION.

On a charge of keeping his billiard saloon in Durham Street open after hours on September 26 William Martin, husband of the proprietress, pleaded not guilty at, the l'uliefl Court yesterday, and was defended by Mr. M. G. McGregor. The evidence for the prosecution, tendered by Constable Bower and Sergeant Rock, was to the effect fhat en the night I of September 26, at about eleven o'clock, I they had the billiard-room in question ■ under observation. They saw moving i shadows against the windows, and heard ' the billiard balls clicking. At a quarter past eleven o'clock five young men left. the. building, but before doing so their names were taken. : For the defence it was said that the ; billiard-room clock was a little slow, but ■ that id ay ceased as soon as it was eleven ' o'clock, For some five minutes several ■■ players remained conversing in the room, (' after which the tables v.ere covered, and , preparations made for putting the lights, out. | The Bench, consisting of Messrs. C. J. j Sturge and ('. Grant, J.P.'.-, was of the i opinion that the. margin of time in dispute, j «as too fine, to allow of a conviction, i and the.v dismissed the case. ', Charges of being on the premises after i hoirrs, preferred against five defendants, were also dismissed. I MISCELLANEOUS. i As the probation officer at Wellington i had reported favourably upon the charac- I tor ot John U. Drake, who was charged I with obtaining at Auckland, between June I 4 and July 24, by means of false pit'- I noes', building material valued at £1 16s I 4<l. the property of Winstone. Ltd.. the' accused was convicted and admitted to j 12 months' probation. Drake was allowed ; three months in which t" repay the j articles he had secured, and was placed j on the prohibited list for a further term. i Henry Ccorgo Manisty, finding himself I tinahl'i to answer a charge of having I j failed to register the birth of one of his ' | children, was fined 10- and costs 7s. j ■ lor leaving unattended in Darby Street i j a vehicle of which he v.as in charge Fred. , I erick Hattawjiy as lined 10s and costs. ! The Corinthic sailors, Albeit Watson, j I William Henry Ballard, and John Bal- I I lard, who are on remand in connection i I with the alleged theft of 100 sovereigns I j from a passenger, while the Corinthic was I at Ifobail, were again presented, and on i ] the application of Chief Detective Mo ! j aln -it were again remanded, Their cafe I I has ii', been set down for hearing on I j 1 Imrsday next. |