POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18576, 7 December 1923, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

BAROTONGAN DENIES THEFT.

PROPERTY OF BENEFACTOR

"A short list of cases was dealt with at the police Court yesterday, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M:

A Rarotongan, David Akanola, aged 38, was charged with having stolen £8 from a house in Bassett Road, Remuera. The ow:<er of the house stated that on November 19, he met accused, with whom he was acquainted, wandering about the street in an intoxicated condition. Witness took Akanola to his home, and the latter was in bed when he left next morning for work. When witness returned later in the day Akanola had gone and £8 which had been left in the bedroom was missing. Accused denied that he had stolen the money, but said he wos prepared to make good the loss. When asked if he wished to be dealt with by the magistrate or to be committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Akanola feign ad ignorance of ; legal procedure, and refused to decido. Senior-Detective Hammond (to accused) : You understand that you have these two alternatives. Accused: I. don't know what I want. 1 Mr. Hammond: You have'to make your choice. \ •; , Accused: Very well, anything will do. Mr. Hammond: Make your own tion.Accused: I want Supreme Court trial. '■■} The prospect of awaiting trial for over two months evidently caused accused,to change his mind, and he was brought back into court. The senior-detective intimated that he had made several previous, appearances in the court on minor charges. At the suggestion of Mr. Hammond accused was remanded to appear for sentence next Tuesday, pending investigation into his ability to make restitution. - MISBEHAVIOUR IN STREET.' / « A' Maori, George Bottles, aged 24," admitted having solicited alms "in ~ the vicinity of Customs Street, but denied that he had used obscene language. A witness stated that Bottles, who was intoxicated, had flourished a; shilling in front of him and asked him to augment his Weath by a like contribution,- as he was anxious to "shout" : for his friends. When the request was refused Bottles vented his disappointment iff profanity,' and said, "I will clean you tip then." The magistrate imposed a sentence of one month's imprisonment upon each : charge. An emphatic 1 denial i was \ entered /by John Crawford, aged 30, a recent arrival from the South?;: to charges of having used obscene language and having committed ah indecent? act in High Street. Accused admitted having been under the influence of liquor, and pleaded ignorance of his conduct while inebriated. .-Mr. Poynton inflicted a fine of £5 for the use of obscene language; on th# other charge accused was convicted and discharged.