PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13651, 21 July 1906, Page 13

PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT.

FniDAY, July 20 (Before Messrs A. Thomson and 0. Hodgs, J.P's.) ! Drunkenness.—Alfred Gcddeson, a prohibited person, pleaded "Guilty" to being drunk on the railway station platform at Port Chalmers. —Fined 10?, with the alternative ot J8 bonis' imprisonment. Accused was further clvarged that he did. during the currency of a prohibition order against himself, procure liquor from somo person unknown.—Sergeant Geerin stated that on being arrested for drunkenness it was

found that accused Ea<l a bottle half full of whisky in his possession. Beinj a prohibited ■person, the polioo asked ior a remand until neict Wednesday.—Accused stated that a man on tho train gavo hini'the whisky while going down to Port Chalmers— Thedr Worships decided to remand tho case until Wednesday. A Stupid Act.—William Hughes, a young man, was chaigea that he did, on June 29, at Portobello, put fluid—to wit, portor—into tho Tecoiying letter box.—Accused pleaded '" Gniilty."—Sergeant Georin stated that the charge was laid under section 82, part section 2, of the Post Office Act. On the evening in question accused wan in tho company of two other young men, ono of whom went to I the hotel and purchased three bottles of poTfer. I They were subsequently seen Rtanding under I the verandah of the Store, which is* also a post office. Hughes drank the contents of one lrottle, but his companions only drank a portion of their liquor, handing tho remainder to Hughes, who poured it into' the lecoiviiig box. When the box was opened the following morning all tho letters and papers within tho boxwore found to be stained and wet Tho Sergeant pointed out that tho act regarded the offenco 89 a very serionsl one, tho maximum penalty being a fine of £20. Accused had previously been before the oourt on April 7 for damaging tho flag halyards at "Portobello School, for which he was fined 10s.—Accused stated that the reason why ho denied having committed the'offence when first questioned by tho police Tra.? becauso ho was too drunk to romember what happened at the time, but ono of his companions had sinco told him that ):o (Hughes) had done what ho .was charged with on tho night in question, and he accordingly pleaded guilty.—Their Worships fineo accused £1, with costs (£1 ss).