POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 9

POLICE COURT NEWS.

PENNILESS MAORI YOUTH. VAGRANT FROM CHOICE. In spite of the fact that Kitto Te Kipene, a Maori youth, 19 years of age, was charged with vagrancy, he seemed to take life very lightly when he appeared in the Police Court on Saturday, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., and Mr. J.H. Fray, J.P. A broad grin brightened his face as he listened to the voice of Sergeant Rowell. The latter stated that the Maori had been discharged from prison and given a boat ticket to take him to his home in the North. He destroyed the ticket, however, and gave himself up to the police. He had been chased out of a Chinaman's shop for trying to steal some food, and was without any means of support. The magistrate said it was not much use sending accused to goal for a short period because the same tiling would happen again when he was released. It was obvious the youth would have to steal to live if he remained in the city and did not work. He had no other alternative, however, than to discharge him. "It means' he will get into trouble again," said Mr. Poynton, " but we cannot help that." Accused was convicted and discharged. ASSAULT AND RESISTANCE. Charged with assaulting a man in the street and with resisting arrest, Thomas Dryhurst, a seaman, aged 25, said he was standing at the corner of Queen and Customs Streets on Friday when a man be did not know called him something. Accused hit him, and when a constable approached the victim walked away. The police stated that accused gave trouble when arrested. A fine of £2 was imposed for resisting the constable, while on the charge of assault he was convicted and discharged. James McKenzie, aged 51, was fined £3 for committing an indecent act in Customs Street when drunk.