POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

MAN USES BAD LANGUAGE.

14 DAYS' IMPRISONMENT.

Charges of obscene language, threatening behaviour, and drunkenness were made against Owen Byrne, aged 27, whoappeared in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. Senior-Sergeant Rawle said that ac- ' cused . assaulted his brother in Nelson Street, and used bad language freely. Several young women were within hearing. Accused had previously been before the Court. , , ... , . , Accused, who pleaded guilty, and had nothing to say, was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment on the language charge. The magistrate remarked that the use of such language was becoming too prevalent. Accused was convicted and discharged on the other charges. YOUTH ADMITS THEFT. The theft of a camera, valued at £10, was admitted by Raymond Norman Parris aged 19, against whom nothing was previously known. A satisfactory report was received from the probation officer. The magistrate, Mr. W. & McKean, said it was the lad's first lapse, and there appeared to bo no criminal tendency. - He was admitted to probation for 12 months, his amusements to be controlled during that period. LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT. The sequel to a collision between a train and a motor-lorry at the King Street level crossing, Newmarket, was the appearance of the lorry driver, James Anderson, who was charged with baying failed to stop before crossing the rails. The evidence showed that the motor-lorry-went along King Street at 15 miles an hour. The driver pulled his levers too late and the engine struck the vehicle, An eye-witness stated that the warning bell started to ring when the engine was 300 yds. away. A man sitting beside the driver said he did not hear the bell as the rattle of the load and the lorry was the predominant sound. Defendant said ho eased up to five miles an hour when approaching the crossing. He did not near the 'bell. The magistrate said the driver had to stop to comply with the by-law. Defendant had been punished enough through injuries, and he was ordered to pay Wa costs. OBSTRUCTION CASE DISMISSED. The manager of the Palace Picture Theatre, John Jones (Mr. Herman), was j charged with having obstructed the foot--1 path. The evidence showed that a ! crowd of people were across the footpath, ' waiting to go into the theatre. In dis- ' missing the case, Mr. Poynton said he. did not think the by-law applied to exhibitions in licensed picture theatres. If a man had been giving an entertainment ; in view of the pubbc and had collected I a crowd, he would be liable. The by- ! law applied when anything visible or audible, such as preaching, caused an obstruction on the footpath. TRADING ON SUNDAY. For Sunday trading W. Vaughan (Mr. Milliken) was fined £1 on each of three charges, costs bringing the total amount to £5 Is. The defence was that the sale of bread which was made was a necessity. The magistrate said he could not agree with that view. A meal might be a necessity, but the sale of a loaf of bread could not be held to bo so. The assistant, T. Percival, who actually sold the bread, was stated to be a new arrival in the country and ignorant of the law. He was convicted and discharged.