MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4607, 11 March 1902, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

MONDAY, MARCH 10. (Before Messrs W. R. Haseldcn, S.M., and E. Arnold, J.P.) Six first-offending drunkards were convicted. A habitual drunkard named Carrie Corbett was convicted on a charge of drunkenness, and was sent to the Salvation Homo, with the understanding that she shall come up for sentence when called upon. Elijah Maslem, who appeared before tho Court last week in answer to a charge of theft, and was remanded to allow tho probation officer to report on tho case, was sentenced to twenty-one days’ imprisonment. Joseph Edmond Tuthill pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour, with intent to cause a breach of the peace, and was fined 20s, in default seven days’ imprisonment. A sailor named John O’Connell pleaded not guilty to using obscene language on the Queen’s Wharf. He stated that he was not awaro of his conduct on account of being under the influence of drink. Tho police gave evidence that defendant used filthy language. Ho was fined £3, in default twenty-one days’ imprisonment. William McWilliams pleaded guilty to damaging a pane of glass, tho property of Patrick Dwyer, and was ordered to pay for tho amount of damage, in default two mouths’ imprisonment.

Richard Blomo was charged that) being an articled seaman on the s.s. Kent, he did unlawfully absent himself without leave. Mr Brown appeared for the captain of the vessel, and mentioned that proceedings wero taken because defendant was thought to be a deserter, and, on tho other hand, because tho captain of the vessel might be liable to a heavy penalty for an evasion of tho Customs Act. As there was no evidence forthcoming to prove that defendant was a deserter, tho Bench dismissed tho case. Two articled seamen named Robert McCallam and John Ward pleaded guilty to deserting from the Ruapehu. Air Myers appeared for the prosecution, and stated that defendants had made no complaints to tho captain. Tho only explanation of the men leaving tho vessel was that they wore taken on board at a certain rate of wages, and when in the colony they deserted the vessel because they could obtain higher w'agos on shore. His Worship remarked ■that if defendants did not get justice on the vessel they should have rejjorted the matter to tho shipping master. Mr Myers remarked that the company would bo willing to take the men on board another of its there was room. On that undersign I:>g the case was adjourned for a v,’( -7

Samuel Cousins pleaded not gAfty to two charges cf using obscene language and with being a rogue and a vagabond having insufficient lawful means of support. Detective McGrath stated that accused had done insufficient work for some considerable time, and he had kept company with notorious people. Witness had spoken to him about his moans of livelihood, and defendant asked for ten days’ chance in order to join a vessel as a steward. Defendant, stated that he wished to go Home by the barque Jessie Osborne, and said he had been hunted about the country by the police, and had never been given a chance. Detective Broberg said lie knew the accused for the last seven years, and considered him an unsafe person to bo at large. Since coming out of gaol last January accused had only earned £1 19s 2d. Constable Hammond stated ho was once watching accused, who was in company with a notorious burglar, and he came up and said he was too clever for tho police and detective force. Defendant then gave tho history of his movements during the past two years. He asked his Worship for a chance to leave the country. His Worship: You will be remanded until Wednesday. Mr Jellicoe asked if the accused could leave the colony before Wednesday. -He mentioned that something ought to be done to help tho man. His Worship said if arrangements could be made accused could leave at once.

A man named Patrick Daly, being a person against whom a prohibition order was made, was charged with being found in a hotel during the currency of such order. Defendant was fined Is and 9s costs.

Joo Chong was charged with being tho keeper of a common gaming-house, Joe Tong and Ah Quay'with assisting, and twenty-three other Chinamen who wero arrested in the house with being in a common gaming place. Mr Jellicoe appeared for tho accused, who pleaded not guilty. His Worship convicted the defendant under section 10 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, and reserved his judgment in the charge under section 4. Joe Chong was fined £SO, in default throe months’ imprisonment. The other defendants were fined 50s, in default one month’s imprisonment. Mr Jellicoe gave notice of appeal.