MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4646, 26 April 1902, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25.

(Before Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M.) One first offending drunkard was conrioted. Alexander Beaton, a second offending drunkard, was fined ss, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. A young man named Henry Mitchell pleaded guilty to charges of having stolen a bicycle, valued at £lO, the property of John Edward Jenkinson, about. 19th April, 1901, at Wellington* and also of having stolen a bicycle, valued at £lO, the property of Harry Vincent Westbury, about 3rd May, 1901, at Wellington. Mr Luckie appeared for the defendant, and applied for probation, on the ground of previous good conduct and of restitution of the bicycles. His Worship remanded the defendant until 2nd May for the probation officer’s report. Bail was granted in one surety of 1 £25. . Frank Smith was charged with having behaved in a threatening manner while drunk, and also with having used obscene language in Tory stredt on the 19th inst. Mr Luckie appeared for the defendant. Sub-Inspector O Donovan conducted the case for the prosecution, and called evidence to show that defendant and a companion were standing in Tory street, and whilst Constable Hammond was passing a most insulting remark was make towards him. At a, later hour a crowd had gathered in Tory street, and when Constables Lopdell and Hammond made investigations concerning it, the defendant threatened to strike Lopdell. The two constables arrested the man, and whilst taking him to the Mount Cook police station i e used the vile language recorded on the charge sheet. Mr Luckie stated that the accused was a stevedore. He was under the influence of drink when arrested, and had no recollection of having used obscene' language. But he complained of having been roughly handled by the police. Evidence for the defence was called to show that the defendant did not use obscene language until the police endeavoured to arrest him. The defendant gave evidence to say ho had had about five drinks during the afterrfoon. Whilst being placed in the cell he was struck on'the eye. On being cross-examined by Sub-Inspector O’Donovan, the defendant admitted having had a squabble with two men in a hotel before entering Tory street. His Worship imposed a fine of 20s, in default seven dafs’ imprisonment, on the first charge, and £5, or in default one month’s imprisonment, on the second charge. A knife-grinder named Matthew Edward Pickering pleaded guilty to haying committed .an indecent act in Vivian street, to having stolen un» derclothing valued at 5s 6d, the property of Harriet Burgess, and to haring stolen a coat valued at 10s, the property of James Trail. The defendant was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labour. A young man named Philip Shannon admitted being an idle and disorderly person, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.

The reserved judgment of the Magistrate in the cases of Joe Chong, for having been the keeper of a common gaming house, at No. 5, Raining street, n the sth March; Joe Tong and Ah Quay for having assisted in conducting a common gaming bouse; and twentythree Chinamen for having been found in a common gaming house, was delivered. His Worship dismissed all of the charges. No costs were allowed.