POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17094, 25 February 1919, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

OBSCENE LANGUAGE USED.

ACCUSED SENT TO GAOL.

An allegation that he used obscene language in Victoria Street, was admitted by a young man, Frank Solomon, before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday. The magistrate said filthy language was too frequently used in public places, and he intended to deal severely with such offenders.

Solomon was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, with hard labour. Accused was also charged with the theft of three glasses, valued at 2s 7j(l, the property of some person or persons unknown, but the only evidence offered was to the effect that the' glasses were found in Solomon's possession, a fact for which the latter couid not account.

Mr. Wilson held that there was nothing to show that the glasses had been obtained dishonestly, and therefore he dismissed the information.

WOMEN FIGHT IN STREET.

Two women, Emma Neilson and Ethel Barnaby, admitted having used threatening behaviour in Hobson Street, whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned, but each accused averred she was acting in self-defence.

The evidence showed that Neilson inserted that Barnaby alleged the former had been a resident of Pakatoa Island for 12 months, whereupon the latter struck at Barnaby. A fight endued, the women eventually being separated by the bystanders.

Senior-Sergeant McNamara said the clothes of both women were practically torn to the waist, and they were each covered with blood.

A fine of 20s was imposed in each case.

THEFT OF LIQUOR.

That he stole a keg of stout and a tap, of a total value of 27s 6d, the property of Leon Laurenti, was denied by James Conrov, aged 42. Evidence was given that on Saturday afternoon, the accused, who was then somewhat under the influence of liquor, was refused drink at the Alexandra Hotel. Subsequently the keg of stout was missed, and at 6 p.m. Conroy was seen carrying the keg, which was then empty. He admitted taking the liquor, because he was " dry." Accused was fined 20s, and ordered to pay 15s costs, in default seven days' imprisonment.

IDLE AND DISORDERLY. Martin Ellis, aged 64 years, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, in that he had insufficient lawful visible means of support. It was stated that Ellis, who had 6d in his possession when arrested, had been loafing about the town for over a month, and that he had been frequenting a lowclass Chinese restaurant. He was in an insanitary condition when apprehended, at which time he and some other men were consuming the contents cf five "square-riggers" in a vacant section in Lome Street.

Accused was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. INTEMPERANCE. For drunkenness, seven first offenders were dealt with.

I FINED FOR BAD LANGUAGE. | At the Onehunga Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., Walter May, a blacksmith, who has a list of 24 previous convictions, was charged with having used obscene lan- ; guage within hearing of the public in ! Auckland Road, Onehunga. May, who I pleaded guilty, was represented by Mr. | W. E. Hackett, who stated that it was ; impossible to justify his client's language. I He pointed out, however, that it was not | used toward a human being, but to a oow i which had been playing havoc in May's vegetable garden. The magistrate said the case was a serious one. Defendant was fined £5 and costs. He was also prohibited with his own consent.