CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13207, 14 February 1905, Page 3

CITY POLICE COURT.

Monday, February 13. (Before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M.) Drunkenness.—For drunkenness an old-age pensioner named Christie Henderson was findd 6s, or 24 hours' imprisonment; deputy-registrar of old-age pensions to bo informed of the circumstance. Disgraceful Conduct.—James Eccles was charged with having on the 10th inat. stolen and damaged a hat worth Cs 6d, and with having stolen a tobacco pipe valued at Gd, the property of Henry Gardner.—Accused pleaded "Guilty" to damaging the hat, but denied stealing it.—Sub-inspector Green stated that accused met complainant in the Arcade on Saturday evening, and neked him to give him threepence. Complainant refused to do so, whereupon accused snatched complainant's hat off his head nnd a pipe out of his mouth and refused to give them bock. The hat was afterwards found .destroyed in Maclaggan street.—Evidence was given by a number of witnesses, one of whom stated that he saw accused snatch the hat from complainant's head, and afterwards cut it up and throw it into the road. Accused was under the influence of liquor.—Fined 20a and costs (13s 6d), in default seven days' imprisonment. Theft of Jewellery.—A young woman named Mary M'Ginn was charged with having on the 7th infet. stolen two gold watches, two gold chains, three gold pendants, seven gold brooches, two gold bariglea, and five gold rings, of the total value of £50, the property of John Dcrrett Russell.—The Sub-inspector said a warrant had been issued by the bench at Gore, and the value of the articles stolen bad been reduced to £27. He asked that accused might be remanded to Gore.—Mr Hanlon, who appeared for accused, had no objection to the remand, but thought it should be to appear at Duncdin. The jewel'ory had been found in accused's possession when she was arrested, and she had explained to the police that tho jewellery was given her by complainant, who made certain overtures to her. When sho bad refused he had laid the present charge. He (Mr Hanlon) submitted that the police should have made inquiries from people who knew the circumstances under which the jewellery was given, and which pointed to the innocence of accused.—The Sub-inspector said the charge had already been remanded for a week. The facts the police hod elicited did not bear out the statement made by accused's counsel.—Mr Hanlon remarked that it was significant that the police hnd thrown the responsibility of the prosecution upon Hu=sel|. He would not object to the remand if ho knew complainant was a man of substance, who might be made liabfa for damages for defamation if other proceedings resulted. So far as the facts of the case were complainant had informed accused he was a wealthy man, and hnd told her he would leave all his wealth to her if she agreed to his proposals. The case was remanded to the 20th inst.. accused to appear before the court at Diinedin on that date. Bail (one surety of £50) was allowed.

Father and Son.—James Russell, sen., and Jamos Russell, jun., were charged with having at South Dunedin on the 4th inst. used behaviour in the Main road whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned.—Russell, sen., said he pleaded " Guilty." His son had givenhim some " cheek." and there had been a bit of a squabble—Russell, jun., said they hud had high worda, and Ins father had struck at him, and they hod both fallen down when the constable came up. He (RiißFell) never struck back at his father.—The Sub-inspector's version of the affair was that father and son, had some disajTeenient, and went out into the street to settle the matter with their fists. The Magistrate's opinion of the affair was that it was a. disgraceful thing for father and son to make an exhibition of themselves in tho public street, and fined each of the offenders 203 and costs (3s Gd).

By-law Cases.—For allowing horses to wander in the Borough of Roslyn, Arthur George Schirp and Robert Simpeon were ench fined 5a and costs (7s). James M'Donald was charged with being the driver of an exoress waggon, ho did leave the same in Hattray street without any horse being attached to it, and without any accident having happened.— The Snb-uiapector stated that the vohicle was left in tie etreet from 2.30 to G. 30. —Defendant said his horse -was away assisting in the removal of some big guns.—His Worship decided to dismiss the case, but warned defendant that no carts or expresses were allowed to be left in the streets in that manner. Prohibition Order.—A prohibition order was made against a man, on the application of his daughter.