POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ENEMY ALIEN IMPRISONED. FAILURE TO RENDER SERVICE. A charge of having failed to report for national service when ordered to do o, was denied by Joseph Gjugum, an momy alien (Mr. Gray) when charged ith the offence before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M.. at the Police Court yesterday. Evidence was givon that the accused was served with tho order on February 4. He threw tho notico away, saying 'that he would not go to tho works, and that he intended to stay in town and have a good time. He had worked on a farm for about 10 months, but the owner would not employ him when he heard ....i uie uoveiiiment had ordered acused to report for national service. The iccused reported at the Commissioner's .tike on Thursday, but as a warrant had hen been issued for his arrest he was :etained. Gjugum then stated that he ould not work because he was suffering rom a certain disease. The magistrate said the accused had been defying tho authorities, and was ividontly one of a number who had set themselves to earn money while men were away fighting. A sentence_ of three months' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed.

[ THEFT OF SUGAR FROM STEAMER 1 That he stole a bag of sugar valued at 15s, the property of the Union Steam Ship Company, was admitted by William Hamilton, aged 40. It was stated that accused was carrying the sugar up Queen Street at 10.30 p.m. on Thursday when he was accosted by a constable, to whom he admitted that he had taken the sugar from the Maktira on which he was employed as a steward to the firemen. He said he had collected the sugar during the voyage from Vancouver to Auckland, and that he did not think he was doing any ham in taking it. The second steward doposed that Hamilton was nnder orders of deportation from Canada, and that he had beon placed on the vessel as a third-class passenger. Subsequently he was signed on the ship's articles. At this juncture the magistrate Interposed, stating that undesirables were not wanted 111 the Dominion, and that he was afraid tho accused would have to remain on the ship. Tho second steward said Hamilton could not be taken back to Canada, but the magistrate reiterated his opinion, and adjourned tho case until Tuesday for further inquiries.

MAINTENANCE CASES, James A. Lambdcn (Mr, Gray), who was arrested on information from Victoria, was chareed with having left that State without first hav : ng made provision for the maintenance of his wife and family. Mr. Gray stated that the defendants solicitors bad been in communication with the representatives of the complainant since December last with a view to making provision for maintenance. He had no wish to escape his liabilities, and was quite willing to pav 30b a week in supoort of his wife and 10s a week for the child. Accused was remanded until Saturday next, bail being allowed in self of £100. A charge of having failed to maintain his wife was preferred against William H. Yarcrato, who was arrested on warrant from Christchu/cb. Mr. Moody, for the accused, said that he only returned from the front, after three years' servico, in December last, and that while he was away the complainant had drawn £208 from the Defence authorities. Since his return, Norgate had been under liosnital treatment, and was still an out-patient. He was screiving a pension of £6 a month. Counsel suggested that the case should bo dealt with at Auckland. The magistrate adjourned the case for one week. to enable the complainant to bo communicated with. IDLE AND DISORDERLY. Albert Neary, aged 54, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour for being-an idle and _ disorderly person, in that he had insufficient lawful vis'blc means of support. On a similar charge. a frail old man, Prank Evans, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on, which course would not be pursued if he remained under tho care of the Salvation Army authorities, who offered to look after trim. INTEMPERANCE. ! Drunkenness was admitted by five first offenders. A fine of £2 in default three days' imprisonment, was imposed on Thomas P. McDermott, for having committed an indecent act in Customs Street, and for drunkenness he was convicted and discharged. I