CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12541, 20 December 1902, Page 3

CITY POLICE COURT.

Friday, December 19. , (Before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M.) Breaches of the By-laws.—Robert Turner pleaded " Guilty "• to a charge of having, on December 10, left a horse and vehicle at the corner of King and St. Andrew streets without proper attendance.—He was fined ss, without costs. John M'Cay was fined 'ss, without costs, for allowing horses to be at large' in Caversham. August Hoffman was fined 5s and costs (7s) for permitting horses-to be at large in the city.—-John Cloary was fined ss, without costs, for a similar offence.

Alleged Assault.—The assault case of Thomas K. Patterson .v. Albert Cooper was struck, out, there being no appearance of the parties;

Maintenance,—Michael Jones was charged with failing to support his daughter, Margaret Jones.—Mr Fraser appeared for the complainant, and Mr Stephens for the defendant.—Mr (Frastr said that, according to the evidence for the complainant, she was absolutely unable to work and support herself through physical infirmity. Her father was in receipt of good wages, but refused absolutely to do anything for her.—Evidence was given by the complainant to the effect that she was supported by her Wo brothers, and sister. Siie was unable to do any work except sewing owing to an injury to the spine. Her father refused to support any of his family, and now paid ICs a week for hoard to (hem, as he stayed at the house occupied by the family. He had been guilty of cruelty on more than one' occasion. Witness was in the Hospital for about five years. The defendant received 9s a. day from the corporation—Evidence in support of. the complainant's testimony was given by her sister.—Mr Stephens said Hie principle in the act was very clear. There were tlnee things to be proved before an order could be made. The first was that the complainant was destitute; secondly, that the defendant was a near relative; and, thirdly, that the defendant was able to contribute. In this case it had not b?.en proved that the convolainont vas destitute, as ahe was supported by the rest of the family. There was therefore no liability in common law at all.—Th" Magistrate said he considered it proved that the girl was destitute,, and it was the father's duty to support her.— The defendant gave evidence to the effect that he paid 12s Gd for his board, and latterly gave 15s, as the rest of the family considered 12s Gd too little. He had not turned them out of home, as stated by the complainant, or used abusive and threatening language. He never struck any of them. Thc.trouble had been that tho house he kept first was too small for the grand " ideas of the rest. His daughter was rruile able to work, and to do any ordinary housework.—The Magistrate saw no \reason to alter his oninion formed on the complainant's evidence. There was no reason why the father should not lie obliged lo keep his daughter, and he would be ordered to pay 10s a week.— The defendant, who seemed of an excitnblo temperament, declared loudly tint he would never pay. ; ...

— The treasury of flip, United States at Washington, containing an immense amount of gold and silver coin, is guarded both by men and modem mechanism. Every vault is connected with an electric alarm so .sensitive- 'that the slightest touch of the hand will sound a warning at the office- of the guard? and in the police, stations of tho city of Washington. False alarms have occasionally sent armed men hurrying to tho treasury. A signal allowed (o continue would bring out the troops tut Fort Meyer, three miles away. Besides theso mechanical safeguards, 72 men, under a. captain, are engaged in watching tho treasury. Of these, one-fifth are detailed for day sorvioe and two-fifths for cacli of the two watches of the. night.