POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16202, 12 April 1916, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

■■ ,1 ~ ■Jy v : ' RETURNED SOLDIER'S LAPSE.

"MISTAKEN KINDNESS."

A Soldier named Herbert Bernard Synnott pleaded guilty before Mr. F. W. Frazer, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday to charges of drunkenness, of using obscene language, and of resisting Constable C. Watkins while in the execution of his duty.

Sub-Inspector Mcllveney said Synnott returned to New Zealand on Monday. As the result of the mistaken kindness of his friends he became intoxicated, and conducted himself in a most unseemly manner in, Victoria Street. Three constables were required to remove him.

| Mr. Frazer advised the defendant to keep off the liquor while in Auckland. The Court did not want returned men tarnishing the honour they had worthily won at the front. There were people in the community who made sweeping and unjust statements reflecting on the conduct of the wholo of the men because of the conduct of a few. Ho did not want defendant to be among the few to bring the whole force into disrepute. Defendant was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

ALLEGED THEFT OF CITY FUNDS.

Francis William Bert Dunn, aged 26, was chargod that at Christchurch on April 4, 1816, he stole £940 18s 2d in money, the property of tho Christchurch City Council. The accused was remanded to appear at Christchurch on Tuesday next.

HE/ VY MAINTENANCE ARREA"

Arthur Johnstone, who admitted thai he owed the Education Department over £300 in the form of arrears of maintenance in respect of his seven children, was charged with failing to comply with seven maintenance orders. Evidence was given that the defendant was not in good circumstances. Defendant was convicted and sentenced to two months' imprisonment in respect of each information, the warrant to be suspended so long as he pays 5s a week in respect of one order and 2s 6d a week off the arrears. Defendant consented to a prohibition order. MISCELLANEOUS. Cecilia May Dowd (Mr. F. J. Cox) was charged with using an illegal instrument on a young woman for an improper purpose. On the application of Chief-Detec-tive McMahon the accused was remanded for one week. Bail was allowed in one surety of £150, or two of £75 each. Harold Howard, aged 21, wan charged with being found drunk and with committing a nuisance on the ferry steamer Condor. It was stated that accused, who bore a good character, behaved himself in a disgusting manner before a mixed- crowd of passengers. He was convicted, prohibited, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. ' ' Albert Edward Hatfield was ordered to pay 6s a week for the maintenance of his child on the Weraroa Training Farm. An old Maori, whom «the magistrate suggested had been celebrating the arrival of Rua, was convicted and discharged in connection with a charge of drunkenness. Two first offenders were fined 5s each, and two others were fined the amount of their bail, 10s in each case. An elderly woman named Margaret Cummings admitted that she was drunk on Monday, and in consequent committed a breach of her prohibition order. Sub-Inspector Mcllveney asked that the defendant be dealt with lenirntly. She was convicted and discharged, and was ordered to pay 4s cab-hire "I am afraid his memory is faulty in every respect," remarked the magistrate when dealing with James Wigg, who said he had no recollection of being drunk or breaking his prohibition order. It was the third breach of the order, and defendant's seventh appearance for drunkenness in two years. Wigg was convicted and discharged for being drunk, and was convicted and fined £2 for breaking his order.