POLICE COURT NEWS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16550, 28 May 1917, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS,

1* YOUNG W.OMAN CHARGED. THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. Dressed in the latest fashion, and wearing a fur coat, a young woman, Marie Williams (Mr. Moody) pleaded guilty in the Police Court before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., on Saturday to keeping a house of ill-fame. Sub-Inspector Broberg said the woman arrived from Sydney on May 14, after an absence from New Zealand of some years. Three days later she opened a soft drinks shop in Hobson Street. Owing to the number of men eeen visiting the place the police became suspicious, and', after watching the shop for a few days, the house was searched, and their suspicions were confirmed. When the woman was here before, the police "made things too warm for her, and she left, New Zealand. Counsel-said, as the defendant had been away for two and a-half years, she was ignorant of the law relating to houses of ill-fame being changed. Showas a woman of some refinement, and had never been in gaol. In addition to the £50 shown on the charge-sheet, she had money in the bank, and was able to pay a fine. Defendant said she had been working foi the Red Cross in France, and, owing to losing her money on the Paris Bourse. she returned to New Zealand. She was prepared to lead a respectable life in future. The magistrate said the War Regulations must be observed, and the public morals protected. Accused would be sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Sydney C. Crook, who fell and broke a window while drunk, was ordered to pay i the amount of the damage. £2 Ift?. A j young woman, Ella Hume, charged with < | stealing a brooch valued at £2, said she had found it. and had neglected to return 'it to her' mistress. She was placed on ' probation for two years. .