CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15824, 24 July 1913, Page 11

CITY POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, July 23.

(Before Mr H. Y. Widdowaou, S.M.) > Drunkenness.—John Duncoff was charged with drunkenness in Princcs street on July 22, having beon twice previously convicted within tho past six months.—He pleaded "Guilty," and was fined 10s, in delault <8 houre' imprisonment.—A first offender was fined 56, or 24 hours, for a similar i offence in the same street on Tuesday.

Obscene Language.—Michael Patrick O'Keet'e, bhrougii Mr Irwin, pleaded " Guilty " to a charge of having usc<l' ob-. scene languago in King Edward street on July s.—He was fined 40s, with costs (7s). A week was given him in which to pay the fine. Henry Miles pleaded ''Kot guilty" to a charge of having used obscene language in Maelaggan streot on July 19, and with assaulting Constable Sorrel! at 'tho same time, while the latter was m the execution of his duty.—Mr Irwin appeared for the accused, who pleaded ''Not guilty," and elected to be dealt with sum-marily.—-Sub-inspector Foully said that ConStable Sorrell was on duty in Maclaggan street on Saturday evening, when he saw the accused, in company with a mail named Conn, at 11.40 p.m. They were walking in the direction of Clarke street, and when a woman 6poko to the constable tho accused turned round and used tho language complained of.—Constablo Sorrell said that wh6ii he saw tho accused and Conn he told them to go home. The accused replied that ho supposed they could 6tay there all night if they liked. " When tlie woman came along accused called out, There is something for you to deal with," and he then used bad language. Witness ran after the accused and arrested him. He' went quietly for about 10 yards, and then struggled to gsay. A. tussle ensued, which resulted 1 ©" accused and witness falling to tho ground. A crowd gathered round, those present being most hostile to witness, and witness rose from the ground Sffily to go down again, and this time accused struck him oil tho mouth, cutting his lipa and breaking, one of his teeth. Witness blew his whistle, and a civilian named William Arthur came to his assistance. Constable Webb, who was doing duty close by, also hurried along, and accusod was taken to the police station. Witness admitted using his baton while on the ground and struck someone, but he did not kiiow who it was.—ln reply to Mr Irivin, the constable stated that it was his duty to tell such characters as the accused to go home when he saw them out at that hour of tho night. He did not know that he had no right to interfere with liini. Ho had been in the police force for 13 years.— William Arthur, Thomas Alexander, and Constablo Webb gave corroborative evidence.—Mr Irwin did not call any evidence, but submitted that the constable had exceeded his duty in speaking to the accused in the way he had. This had enraged tho accused, with the result that ho had used language that lio should not have used. Accused was a hardivorking man, and had not been in trouble for a lons time. He submitted that a monetary penalty would meet the case.—The Magistrate said the accused would be convicted on eaoh charge. On tho first lie would be fined with witness's expenses amounting to 6s, in default 14 days' imprisonment, and on the second charge ho would be fined £5, with witness's expenses (6s), in default one months' imprisonment, the warrant to he suspended for 14 days to enable the accused to-pay the tines.

A Serious Charge.—William Dtiffl was chargcd with that on July 22 at Dunedin ho did assault a boy with intent to commit an unnatural offence.—Sub-inspector Fouhv applied for a remand until Friday, which was granted.

Alleged Abduction.—Albert Percy Olding appeared on remand to answer a charge ef having taken a girl tinder the age of 16 years from her home.—Sub-inspector Fouhy said that tho police had not been able to eecure the ricctssary witnesses sincc the last adjournment, and he asked for a further remand until Monday.—Mr Lemon, instructed bv Mr Hnnlon, appeared for the accuscd and consented to the remand, which was granted. Maintenance.—George Arthur. Avers was charged with failing to pay 4s per week towards the maintenance of his child, tho arrears to May 3 being £7 6s 2d.—Subinspector Fouhy said that the defendant had paid £1 10s off this amount, and lie asked that the case be adjourned for a month. —The application was granted. Gilbert John Swell consented to an order for tho payment of 2s 6d per week being made against him for the maintenance of Albert Wheeler Swell, an inmate of an industrial school.

Unregistered Dogs.—Georgo Burnett, John M'Kenzie, John Pnllar. William. Rodgers, and Joseph Patrick Whitty were each fined ss, with court costs (7s), for keeping unregistered dogs, and for a similar offence William Charics llodgere, Katharine Crawford, and Charles lieadlo were each fined 15s. with costs (7s); —A like charse against Elizabeth M'Ara. for who® Mr Allen appeared, was dismissed.