POLICE. COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 5

POLICE. COURT NEWS.

PREPARING FOR THE RACES.

CHARGES OF VAGRANCY.

SEVERAL CHANCES GIVEN.

A number of vagrancy charges were dealt with by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in the Police Ciurt on Thursday, the chief detective stating that it was his desire to get a number of bad characters out of the town before the races. Several of those charged were given a chance, it being stipulated in each case that they should leave the town at once. Two men, Frederick William Deniuth and Patrick Murphy, for whom Mr. Allan Moody appeared, denied a charge of vagrancy. It was stated that both of thorn had been discharged from the New Zealand expeditionary force. rf Since their return to New Zealand they had been associating with bad characters, doing no honest work. The charge against Demuth was dismissed, His Worship Baying that the proceedings should be sufficient to warn him to mend his ways. Murphy was convicted, being ordered to come up for sentence When called upon. Aubrey Preston (Mr. Allan Moody) was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, in that he habitually consorted with reputed thieves. A plea of not guilty was entered. Evidence having been given to show that the accused's companions had not been of the best, and that he had not been working lately, no conviction was recorded, the accused being given a chance to leave the town for his work in the country. Elizabeth Monoghan, aged 44 years, who had sevenpence in her possession at the time of her arrest, denied a charge of vagrancy, but admitted having been drunk for the third time recently, and having broken her prohibition order. The evidence showed that for some weeks past she had been loitering about the streets and hotels, and had been soliciting. A conviction was recorded on the vagrancy charge, and a sentence of three months' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed. Percy Broadhurst, aged 26 years, admitted that he was an idle and disorderly person, in that he hab'tualiy consorted with reputed thieves. His chief work was stated to be that of attending races. Broadhurst, who to mend his ways, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, being warned that work at Mount Eden was awaiting him. A similar charge was admitted by John Carkeek. who was stated to be more lazy than dishonest. As he was very anxious to enlist and eo to the front. Carkeek was given a chance bv being ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. "There is no middle course between allowing vou a chance and giv>ng von 1? months in gaol," said His Worship to William Dalziel. who admitted being an incorrigible rogue. Dalziel. who promised to go straight away into the country, was I given a last chance bv being ordered to j come up for sentence when called upon.

DRTNK AND DISTmNFSTY. A few days ago Florence Chadwick, who was before the Court for drunkenness and theft, was given a chance. On Thursday she was charged again, having broken her prohibition order, besides getting drunk. Also, whilst under the influence of liquor, she had stolen a shaving outfit from a shop in Parnell. When arrested subsequently in the Domain, she had with her the outfit, a bottle of gin, and a bottle of eau-de-cologne. A suggestion was made that 12 months on the island might assist the accused to pull herself together, but His Worship 6aid that her record pre vented the adoption of such a course. He imposed a sentence of three months' imprisonment with hard labour.

STREET INCIDENT. A crowd in Cook Street on Wednesday afternoon attracted the attention of aeon stable, who found that a man named John D. Gabbe was the centre of attraction. Gabbe, who was very much under the influence of liquor, was offering to fight all and sundry. The challenge was acoepted by the constable, but another j constable's assistance and a pair of handcuffs were neoessary before Gabbe could be conveyed to the police station. (Jabbe. who is a seaman by occupation, and who had over £11 upon him at the time ot his arrest, was charged with using threatening behaviour, with using obscene language, and with resisting the constable. Ho pleaded guilty, being fined £2. DOG'S EXPENSIVE BITE. Mary Johnston admitted being the owner of a dog which had endangered the limbs of a passer-by. The dog had mapped at a man, biting two holes in his trousers—a new pair. Mrs. Johnston offered to make good the damage, but her offer was not accepted by the man, who had the case brought to Court. The defendant, who was stated to be in very poor circumstances, her husband having been in the hospital for the last three years, was ordered to pay the costs and damages, which amounted to 225. YOUNG MEN PUNISHED. Six young men were charged with doing mischief. On their way liome on the evening of March 6 they had indulged in stone-throwing, doing damage to a number of panes of glass. One of the party, Harold Wright, had torn down a signboard, marching home with it across his shoulder. Wright was fined 10s, and was ordered to pay 2s 6d for the board. The other young men, William Cook, George Martin, John O'Connell, Percy Neals, and John Minogue, His Worship held were equallv responsible for the stone-throw-ing. In fining them £2 each he said that such conduct would have to be put down with a firm hand, adding that he was not at all satisfied with the manner in which they had given their evidence. Each had to pay 7s costs, in addition to making good the damage, which amounted to 17s. MISCELLANEOUS. Two first offenders who were convicted of insobriety were each fined ss, Walter Porter, a second offender, being fined 10s. Thomas Prenter, being the owner of a horse which had been found wandering at large in Jervois Road, was fined 5s and 76 costs. Having allowed his cart to stand in Queen Street without a chain on the wheel, Peter Green was fined 5s and 7s coats. A fine of 10s and 7s costs was imposed upon Thomas Gray Culling, who had driven a motor-car in Queen Street after sunset without having a rear light.