CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8793, 1 May 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

CITY POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, Apml 30.

(Before Messrs J. I. Jones and J. Elmer, J.Fs.)

Dkunkbnnhss.—T?or this offence Elizabeth Lindsay, nguiiißb whom there were 36 previous convictions, was fined £5; in default, 11 days' imprisonment.

Stealing a Hat.—James Morris was oharged, on remand, with stealing a hat ou or about April 15, of the value of 10a, the property of J. S. Thompson.— Mr Hanlon appeared for tho accused, who pleaded not guilty.—Detective Henderson stated that the case had been remanded iv order that the police might communicate with the informant. They had received a telegram from him denying a statement made by the accused that the latter had got tho hut from him. The informant also stated that he did not wish to take the trouble to come from Southland. The police, therefore, did not offer any evidence. Ho might mention that tho hat in question was reported to have been stolen from Widu's Hotel, and it was subsequently found in theaccused's room in a hat box with Boma other hata. The accused Baid that Mr Thompsou gave him the hub and aUq 2s to keep it. -Mr Jones said, seeing the police offered uo evidence, the case would bo dis-missed.-Mr Haulon observed that he should llko to comment upon the impropriety of a man being ■brought before the court without any evidence to tupport the charge, and then, alter a remand had been granted and the accused kept iv gaol for a week, that he should again be brought before the court, wheu the prosecutor had iutlmated that he did not ■ want to appear.—Mr Jones remarked that the police I had power to remand all auspicious cases, and (lie benoti did not see that they had done anything wrong in remanding this particular oaae.—Detective Hendersou said that the remand was not a hardship to the accused, who was undergoing BOutence in gaol on another charge.—Mr Hanlon thought that did not matter. The police had no right to ask for a remand before under the circumstances, as the accused ■would have been kept in gaol whether he had bsen undergoing a sentence on another charge or not.— Detective Henderson stated that the police had often to ask for a remand, and sometimes men were sent to gaol on remand when it was a^ense of mistaken Identity. He would like to know what Mr Mr Hanlon bad to do something for his money when | he eiune to court, but he was quite satisfied now.— I The accused was then discharged.