POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19563, 16 February 1927, Page 15

POLICE COURT NEWS.

FOUND ON FISHING BOAT. TWO MEN SENT TO PRISON. A defence that they bad been given permission by tho owner of the vessel to sleep on board was offered by William Thomas Rogers, aged 42, and Patrick Clifford, aged 52, when charged in the Police Court yesterday with being found without lawful excuse on the fishing boat Zenlandia, the property of Joseph Tye. In reply to Senior-Sergeant Edwards, Tye said he had never given accused permission to sleep on the vessel. Questioned by Rogers witness admitted having a conversation with accused in a hotel about three weeks ago. Witness admitted asking how many men were sleeping on the vessel, and how long they intended to stay there. Ho did not tell accused not to sleep there. Clifford also stated, he bail, received permission to sleep on the vessel, but witness denied having seen him before. A constable gave evidence that he found accused on tho vessel at 11.25 p.m. on February 7. Rogers said lie had permission to be there, but Clifford said ho had not. A further charge of stealing provisions, valued at Bs, the property of Edward Charles Grogaji, was preferred against Rogers. Evidence was given that the provisions were missed from a scow, and accused was seen walking off tho vessel with another man and carrying a white canvas bag. The magistrate. Mr. W. R. McKoan, said there was insufficient cxidence to justify a conviction for theft. On tho other charge accused were each sentenced to one month's imprisonment. FIXED FOR DRUNKENNESS. Charges of being drunk and of casting offensive matter iri Federal Street were denied by Charles O'Keefo, aged 35, (lie first charge accused was fined £l. in default two days' imprisonment, and on the second £2, or four days' imprisonment.