POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

LARRIKINISM BY YOUTHS.

"A G'ALLON JAR OF BEER.'*

A number of cases came before Mr. J. W, Poynton, S.M., and Mr. A. J. Stratford, J.P., at the Police Court yesterday.

" Boys of this sort want a check," said Mr. ■ Poynton referring to a party of four youths who admitted having damaged two fences, a water-pipe, and a flower garden, the total damage being estimated at £2 15s. The offences were committed last Saturday in Horns Street, Archhill. Mr. Sullivan, who represented the accused, stated that there was no criminal intent. The boys had met by appointment to consume a gallon jar of beer, which had got the better of them. They then went along the street doing the damage referred to. The boys came from respectable families, and ho asked for leniency on their behalf. " Unfortunately this is_ the start of tno 'push* business, which is so prevalent in Australia, and is not wanted in New Zealand," said Senior-Sergeant Rawle. Yes, the gang needs breaking up,' said the magistrate in convicting and discharging acoused. They were each fined lis and ordered to make good the damage. Three of them, whose names Mr. Poynton ordered to be suppressed, were each admitted to two years' probation. The fourth youth, Phillip D. Buffett, who was already on probation for theft, was admitted to three years' probation. The , probation officer Mr. W. J. Campbell, reported favourably on Buffett's previous conduct during his term of probation. Acoused was warned by Mr. Poynton that if he was before the Court again he would go to gaol. , CASE OF STONE THROWING. Four youths were each fined £2 and 5s fid costs for throwing stones at a house in Lake Road, Northcote, occupied by Frederick Jackson. Senior-Sergeant Rawle stated that the young men were passing; the house at 10.30 p.m. last Saturday and threw a volley of stones on to it. The | house was not damaged. In granting I accused a* month to pay the fines, Mr. Poynton remarked that it would remind them of their transgressions. - SUNDAY TRADING. A shopkeeper, James Vaughan, was charged with selling cigarettes and a loaf of bread on a recent Sunday. Constable Welson stated that Vaughan made a practice of Sunday trading. Mr. Poyntoni Oh! yes, ifc pays them to pay the fine and keep on selling, and shopkeepers have admitted it in thin Court. Fines of £1 on each charge' were inflicted, costs amounting to £1 4s. EXPENSIVE OYSTERS. Two young men, . who were caught by the inspector of fisheries picking oysters at Waiheko Island and Coromandel respectively, were each fined £3 and 7s costs, and ordered to pay solicitors' fees, £3 3s. and in the case of the former ..10g witness' expenses. Mr. Hubble represented the inspector of fisheries. The necessity for the protection of oysters was emphasised by trie magistrate, who stated that they were a valuable product and took four years to grow. 1 - • TRESPASS ON RACECOURSE. - A plea that he be given a chance to lead a decent life was advanced by a young man, Harold Herbert Payne, who appeared to answer a charge d having unlawfully trespassed on the Elierslie racecourse during a race meeting. Accused, who only recently came out of gaol, stated that he was now earning £5 per week, and was complying with a maintenance order of! £3 per week. .. He was not interested in races, and had only gone to the course to meet a man from whom he was buying ■ tools. ■. The Court suspended sentence for 12 months, warning accused to abide by the maintenance order and keep off racecourses in the meantime. . " ; -A fine of £5 and 7s costs was imposed on Edward Wilson (Mr. A. Moody) on. a similar' charge. . • FIRST OFFENDER FINED. ' A middle-aged man, Jack Edkitt (Mr. Rice) was charged with committing an indecent act and using obscene language on Queen's Parade, Devonport, on the night of May 2. Counsel stated that this was accused's first offence, and that- ho was drunk at the time. Accused was fined £3, or in default seven days' imprisonment, on the first charge, and £5 and costs, amounting to £1 1&, on the second.