CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4629, 16 December 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

CITY POLICE COURT.

Friday, 15th December.

(Before A, Mercer, Esq^ and A. Mollison, Esq., J.P.s)

Drunkenness.—William Thomson, Charles Kennedy, Donald M'lntyro, and John Latkin, were each fined sa, with the usual alternative. —John Sinclair did not answer to hia bail. Inspector Mallard explained that the accused was the victim of a practical joke, some others having persuaded him to drink whisky and brandy for a wager. A fine of 10s was inflicted.—Ann Vaughan, a confirmed offender, was mulcted in the maximum penalty of L 5, in default, 14 days' imprisonment. — Mary O'Leary was charged with drunkenness, also with habitual drunkenness, and further, with damaging Government property—to wit, a pannikin in the lock up—valued at 3s. Inspector Mallard remarked that prisoner had only been released from Gaol on the previous day, after serving three months for habitual drunkenness. He submitted that, if tbe Act was strictly abided by, offenders of the same class as ac cused came under the term "habitual drunk ards" after having ones been imprisoned for that offence, if tney persisted in drinking. They could be brought up de novo, so that the law might be held in tevroren over them. O'Leary was only one of that class of women who should always be in gaol.—Mr Mercer: She is useful to the gaol, and might be of some advantage to the Government.—Prisoner : Oh, for God's sake, your Worships, take me into consolation this time, and by the Turkish guide I will never come before your majesty again.— (Suppressed laughter.)— For the first offence the Court fined her L 5, in default, 14 days' imprisonment, on the second one to three months' imprisonment, aud the third charge was dismissed.

Insulting a Railway Officer. —James Smith, a sailor, was charged on information with having, on the 25th tilt., used insulting and obscene language to a railway officer, contrary to the vagrant Act.—Mr Stout prosecuted, on behalf of the Government.—Defendant expressed his regret for having used hasty expressions, but he felt provoked, and was just leaving by the train.—Thomas Mitchell, station master, proved the offence, and the Bench inflicted a fine of 20s, with the option of three days' imprisonment.

Two Larrikins. — Andrew Morrison and Thomas Rogers, two of the vagabondfrafcernity, were jointly charged on remand, with stealing four tumblers and one clock, the property of Mrs Mellican, of the Rising Sun Hotel.— Morrison pleated Guilty, alleging as an excuse, that he was drunk when he stole the tumblers, while Rogers denied any connection with the theft.—Detectives Bain, Neill, and Sergeant Anderson gave evidence as to the character of accused. They frequented brothels, were the associates of convicted thieves, and were themselves Buspected of having committed numerous robberies.—lnspector Mallard pressed for them to be made a severe example of.—The Bench sentenced each to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

False Pbetences.—John Young pleaded Guilty to obtaining three pairs of boots, valued at LI 17s, the property of John Heath, by false pretences. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment.