POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16186, 24 March 1916, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

UNUSUAL FALSE PRETENCE.

BOGUS RANGER FINED.

An unusual method of raising money by a false pretence was revealed hoforo Messrs. C. H. Furness and H. M. Smeeton, J.P.'s, in the Police Court yesterday, when Claude Randolph Marmont pleaded guilty to obtaining 5s on July 24 last by representing himself as ranger to the Epsom Road Board.

| Sub-Inspector Mcllveney said accused caught a man' riding a bicycle on the footpath in Epsom. He told the man that the magistrate would probably 'fine him ss, but if he paid that amount to accused, as ranger, the matter would not proceed further. _ The sub-inspector said ho had information that the offenco was part of a system adopted by Marmont. The accused was fined £5. ALLEGED HARBOUR THEFT. William James Irwin, aged 36 years, was charged with stealing, at Devonport on or about March 21, one stove and 100 rounds of ammunition from tho launch Rabautai, the property of Geoi'ge Seager, and valued at £2 ss. Chief-Detective MoMahon said thero were several charges pending against tho accused. It was alleged by the police that he had been sailing round tho > harbour for tho purpose of stealing property. 1 Accused was remanded for one week, bail in £200 being allowed. BY-LAW .CASES. Arthur Stuart was charged with driving a motor-car in Customs Street between sunset and sunrise without sufficient lights. The Bench observed that the practice of driving without sufficient lights was becoming common. It was important that the by-laws against the practice should bo strictly enforced for the safety of the public. The Bench would impose a heavier fine than usual. Defendant was fined £1 and costs. Alfred Bartlett was fined 10s and costs for cycling on the footpath in Mokoia Road, Birkenhead. Ralph Skeates was fined 5s and costs for riding a bicycle in Hauraki Street, Birkenhead, without lights. I James Neiper was ordered to pay £1 , 138 costs for allowing horses to gander in One-tree Hill.

William Henry Smith was also ordored to pay costs, amounting to £1 Bs, for allowing a pony to wander in Epsom. Defendant said school children had pulled down two wires from a fence, and his pony bad been in the pound eight times in i 3 months.

A SERIOUS CHARGE. Wallie Young, aged 64 years, was charged with committing a serious offence in Birkenhead. Sub-Inspector Mcllveney alleged that the accused was guilty of an offence punishable by 10 years' imprisonment. and the police opposed the granting of bail. Accused was remanded for one week in custody. MISCELLANEOUS. Two first offenders, who did not appear on charges of drunkenness, each forfeited 10s bail. Annie Condell, aged 48 years, admitted being drunk on March 8 in New Lynn and breaking three panes of glass. Accused was prohibited, and ordered to pay 10s damages and £1 10s Court costs and witness's expenses.

Yee Hop and William Sing, who did not appear, were each fined 10s and 7s costs for following their trade on Sunday by gardening in Avondale on March 5.