POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16157, 19 February 1916, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

PICKING WAIHEKE OYSTERS.

MAN FINED £5.

A man named Lawrence Ruddy was charged at the Police Court before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., yesterday with taking a number of oysters from Rocky Bay, Waiheke, during the close season for oysters. Evidence was given by Inspector Bennett and his assistant that they saw defendant on the rocks at Waiheke picking oysters. The witnesses were in a launch approaching the spot. When they arrived they found a number of oyster shells lying around.

Evidence was given by a companion of defendant's that he was with defendant during the time they were at Waiheke. Witness and defendant went to the rocks to get mussels, and he was positive that no oysters were taken.

The defendant denied having touched any oysters at all. He did not support his evidence by sworn testimony. The magistrate convicted and fined defendant £5.

MISCELLANEOUS. A remand was granted in the case in which Charles Flowerday ' (Mr. R. A. Singer) was charged with publishing a statement on January 15, 1916.. indicating disloyalty in connection with the present war. Reginald Drake was charged with being found drunk and with using obscene language in Queen Street. Sub-Inspector McIlveney said that he went into a shop and used indecent language to a woman behind the counter. " The accused was convicted and discharged on the charge of drunkenness, and for using obscene language he was convicted and fined £2. __. When charged with committing a nuisance in Quay Street, William Durel denied any knowledge of the offence. It was stated" that the accused was the worse for liquor at the time. He was a stranger to the town, having recently arrived from America. A fine of £1 was imposed. A woman appeared on a charge of drunkenness.. Her right arm was broken, and the accident was stated to be due to a fail which occurred while she was drunk. Expenses had cost' her 17s. Defendant was convicted and discharged.