OUT POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9324, 15 January 1892, Page 2

OUT POLICE COURT

I . Thursday, January 14. (Before Messrs J. Wright, W. Wardrop, and P. Dey, J.P's.) Drunkenness.—For this offence Emma Bridget Brown was fiued 10s, or 48 hours' imprisonment. Duu.sic and Disorderly.—George Bailee was charged with being drmik and disorderly at St. Glair.—Sergeant-major Bevin said that the case was a very bad one, accused having committed a great disturbance.—Accused stated that he had never touched drink, except on this occasion, for three years.—Accused was lined 10s, or 4S hours' imprisonment. A first offender pleaded guilty to a similar charge.—Sergeant-major Bevin said that the accused was a seaman on board the ship lnyercargill. On the previous night he was in Princes street, and, being very drunk, he wanted to fight everyone he met.—Accused stated that he had only lauded from his ship that night after a voyage of three months. He had not durin" that time touched any drink, and even at times had little to eat. Being with a friend, another seaman, on the night in question, they had exceeded the bounds of moderation.—A fine of 10s was inflicted, in default, 48 hours' imprisonment, Lakcknv.—Rose Jackman was charged with stealing a iisli, valued at Is, from the shop of Henry 1 eter Johnson, George street.—Accused pleaded guilty.—Sergeant-major Bevin said that accused bore a very bad character. She had many previous convictions recorded against her, live or six of which were for larceny. Un this occasion accused was with a number of prostitutes in a riaht-i.'f-way off George street, and she was seen to go v.p to the shop of My Johnson dud deliberately walk away vita a lisii. She was followed and given in charge—Accused was sentenced to one month s imprisonment.

'■ ASSAULT.--Robert Totter was charged with assaulting Constable Crawley on January 3 in' King street.—Mr A. G. Hanlon appeared for the accused, Who pleaded guilty. Mr Hanlon said that on the night of the 2iid or early on the anorning of the 3rd the accused was wandering jboiit town with some other young men. He trankly admitted thai he had taken too much nrink, for it was New Year's timo, but he recollected nothing whatever about assaulting the constable. He did not for a moment say that the constable was telling an untruth, and as he stated uo was assaulted by the accused, tho latter accepted this statement as true, and expressed contrition for his foolishness.—Sergeant-major Bevin stated that v Mr Hanlon had treated the offence somewhat lightly. The accused's behaviour was "very bad on the night in question. Ho and his companions endeavoured to get drink at Mi' CumJnin'gs' Ho'tel, but the licensee vary properly refused them admittance. As they were loitering übout and behaving in a very unseemly manner, Constable Crawley, who was on duty, remonstrated with them, whereupon tho accused assaulted the officer, throwing a number of stones ■at him.—Accused was fined 30s and costs (275); in dofault, ono month's imprisonment. ' BitEACli ok the Bye-laws.—John Waldie was ■charged with driving cattle after hours on the 22nd December at Half-way Bush.—Dcfondant pleaded guilty to driving the cattle, but stated that he frequently did it before and was never interfered with. — Sergeant-major Bevin said that the practice of driving cattle after hours \ S "■wav Bush was becoming a great nuisance, and the residents were making complaints about the matter.—The Bench said the practice must be put a stop to, as driving cattle after hours was a common occurrence. A fine of 6s and costs (15s) was inflicted. ' * .

Stone Throwing. — George Connell, Albert Lawrio, and Albert King, three small boys, were charged with throwing stones on a Chinaman's house in King street, on January B.—Sergeantmajor Levin stated that the three boys were playing m King street about 7.30 on the evening of the Bth. A Chinaman, named Fong Lock, who lived in a little hut resided in the vicinity, and the boys threw stones on the roof and into the Chinamans garden. The Chinaman chased them with a shovel, and it was well that he did not catch them for at the time ho was in a very angry inood.—Evidence was then given in support of the statement of the Sergeant-major.—Mr Hanlon appeared for the defendants, who pleaded not guilty, and gave evidence in which they denied having committed the offence. They (stated that "ley were playing in the street with a number of other boys, when seeing tho Chinaman approaching carrying a shovel in a threatening mannerthey inade off.—The Bench said that the boys were, placed m a very awkward position. The ovidenco was not of a sufficiently convincing nature to enable it to record a conviction, still the circumstances of the case were very suspicious, and they hoped that the accused would take warnin" by these proceedings and be more careful in the luture. —Xhe accused would be discharged.