POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16268, 29 June 1916, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

FAILURE TO ATTEND DRILL.

PREFERENCE FOR "PICTURES."

Another short list of cases was presented at the Police Court yesterday before Mr. F. V. Fra-zer, S.M.

Arthur Langton, a territorial, charged with failing to attend drill, said he overslept, and thus failed to attend the " Kitchener parade." When it was explained that the charge against him had reference to a night drill, he said he had an engagement on that occasion, and he thought he could drill on another night. Pressed as to the nature of his engagement, defendant said he went to the pictures. He drilled on another night. Delendant was ordered to pay 7s costs. Willi G. Brown pleaded guilty to failing to attend two camps at Avondale and to missing drill on June 15. He said »^i? S ou \°i r rk when cam was held and he went fishing to earn a few shillings. Reminded that he would have received ta a day had he attended camp, defendant said he did not know that. The magistrate remarked that he supposed defendant's patriotism was measured by the proceeds. nne of £3 and costs was imposed in respect of the first charge, and defendant ordered to Pay costs on the second charge. Alfred Lindsay was charged with failing irl e , a 35 near as practicable to the left-hand side of the roadway in Grove Koad on June 5; also with driving round the corner of Grove Road and Edendale Koad at more than a walking pace. Evidence J - as . given to show that accused, while driving at a fast pace, collided with a cyclist who was approaching from the oppositei ■ direction, riding on the correct side j Mr. J. Stanton, for defendant, pleaded guilty, although he submitted that there was some confusion as to the position of the cyclist and defendant's cart. A civil action was pending from the cyclist Accused was fined £1 on the second charge, and ordered to pay costs on the first. 1 J

On charges of drunkenness, two first offenders forfeited 10s bail each; and two hrst offenders were each fined ss. William Senior, a second offender, was fined 10s. James Frame was committed to Roto Roa Island for 12 months. Annie Sargent was fined £1 and costs for procuring liquor while prohibited, and convicted and discharged on a count of drunkenness. Senior-Sergeant Rutledge said accused had . been drinking methylated spirits mixed with ginger-beer, besides taking liquor. John Calvert admitted entering the Edinburgh Castle Hotel while prohibited. He was fined 10s and costs, having kept the order for nine months.

Joseph Kelly admitted using obscene language to a constable, although the officer was not interfering with him. A fine of £2 and costs was imposed. William Wilson Clegg was charged with assaulting Thomas Edward Dowdle! SeniorSergeant Rutledge said that one of his witnesses was suffering from scarlet fever, and the case for the police could not very well proceed without that person's evidence. The case was adjourned sine die George Walker was fined 5s for using a motor-car without a tail-light after sunset. Ernest Jackson was fined a like sum for a, similar offence. Norman Wade, for leaving a motor-car unattended in Princes Street for more than an hour, was fined ss, and convicted and discharged on a charge of leaving the car without sufficient lights. Alfred A. Walters was fined 5s for driving a milk cart along Customs Street without a light. A further remand until July 5 was granted in the case in which -J. Beavis was charged with making a statement likely to interfere with the recruiting of His Majesty's forces. At the hearing on Thursday last, when accused pleaded not guilty, it was alleged that he told a trooper in the seventeenth reinforcements that lie was a fool for going to the front, and that those who went deserved all they got. The conversation was stated to have taken place on February 15 at the Northern Steamship Company's Wharf, when defendant was a signalman engaged by the Auckland Harbour Board; and other remarks of an unpatriotic character were alleged to have been made by defendant.