CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16378, 8 May 1915, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

FKinAY, May 7.

(Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) Drunkenness.—David Murdee Andersoni who did not appear, was fined 10s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, for drunkenness in the Museum .Reserve. James Mason, for a similar offence in Gaol street, was fined 10s, or 48 hours' imprisonment. A first offender was fined ss, or 24 hours' imprisonment. Charles M'Donald, who did not appear, was convicted and fined 225, including 2s cab hire, for behaving in a disorderly manner while drunk in Princes street on Thursday. Alleged Breaking and Entering.—Oscar Bruce White- was charged that, on May 7, at Ravensborfrne,, he did break and enter the shop of William Barclay with intent to commit a crime.—Sub-inspector Broborg said that this lad was 164 years of age, and resided* with his mother (a widow) in Ravensbourne. That morning the accused was caught in Mr Barclay's shop, and he had apparently broken into the premises with intent to commit a theft The shop had been broken into on two or three occasions recently, and goods had been stolen. This was an indictable offence, and a remand was consequently needed for a weekThere were other charges pending. This young man had some fantastic? idea of going to America, and, if he was given a chance, he. would possibly clear out—ln reply to the magistrate Mr Axelsen said he could not undertake to keep tihe accused safely.—The accused was then remanded in custody fgr a. week, the Magistrate ordering that he be kept separate from other prisoners.

Overcrowding at a Theatre.—Claud Haig, in conjunction with the Grand Picture Theatre Company, pleaded "Guilty" to a charge of permitting overcrowding in the theatre on April 17, and also exhibiting, without authority, on the exterior of the building en advertisement—"The Trey o' Hearts."—Mr W. C. MacGregor, for the prosecution, stated that the gangways in the theatre had been crowded "with a total of 298 people, thereby interfering with the exits, which would have been blocked in the event of a fire breaking out. The manager had been spoken to about it, but had defined to do anything. Apparently, the defendant did not seem to appreciate his position as the holder of a licence of a theatre. The other charge was one of exhibiting calico signs attached to the fire escapes, illustrating "The Trey o' Hearts," without consent in writing from the city inspector. Counsel stated that the authorities «.were determined that, in the interest of public safety, this overcrowding should not continue. The Grand Picture Theatro had seating accommodation for 180 persons.—Mr Hay said that the defendant was managing a continuous performance, and the by-law was drawn up when continuous performances were not in vogue. It was extremely difficult to comply absolutely with the conditions of the by-law. The gangways on this occasion were kept reasonably clear. All the picture shows broke, the by-law in some way or other. That arose but of the continuous nature of the performance. As to the other charge, the defendant hod a sign up "Troy o' Hearts Now On." On different occasions they would find on shops in the city "Salo Now On," and the defendant did not think he was breaking the bylaw. At the Princess Theatre there was a similar sign to the one that was up at the Grand Theatre.—His Worship said that it was most important that the passage-ways of theatres, particularly picture shows, should be kept clear. 'In this case there was such gross overcrowding that the inspector would have been guilty of neglect of duty if he had not taken action. Whenan inspector drew attention to a breach of a by-law steps should be taken' to remedy it. He hoped that these prosecutions would act as a warning. On the overcrowding charge the defendant would be fined £3 and costs (365). and on the other charge 20s and costs (235). Lice-infected Sheep.—Charlcfe Brensell (Mr Finch), Henry W. Wilson, Alexander Mee, and Hugh Clark were each fined 20s. with 'costs (7s), for ' exposing lice-infected sheep in the Burnside sale yards. A Case Dismissed.—James Barclay, een., barman at the Caledonian Hotel, Walker 6treet, was charged with supplying liquor to, a person already intoxicated. Jamef Barclay, jun., the licensee, was similarly charged, and also_ with permitting drunkenness on the premises. Mr Hanlon appeared for the defendants. Those oases were heard some days ago. when his Worship reserved his decision. His Worship hold that it was not satisfactorily shown that the man who was supplied was in a state of intoxication, and dismissed all charges. Maintenance. —Annie M'Pherson Tavlor applied for 'a maintenance, guardianship, and separation order against James Gilbert Taylor, on the grounds of persistant cruelty.—The defendant was somewhat peculiar in his conduct. The complaint stated that the defendant was given to drinking habits, and wasnot 6trong mentally. —In reply to the magistrate the defendant stated that when he worked he earned £1 per day.—The Magistrate: Whit wre you prepared to pay your wife?— The Defendant: Nothing. Let Cornelius keep her. he lives with her.—At this stage defendant commenced walking about the court, but, upon being called to order by Con?t>ble Sivyer (the court orderly), he struck a military attitude and stood to attention. When again questioned by the magistrate as to -what he was prepared i-o allow his wife, he said he would give' her all he earned, with the exception that he would want 10s per week for himself.—Tho Magistrate made an order for the payment of 30« tier week, and gr"ntod the order implied for. Failing to Gins" Shops.—Tsajio J T . Curtis, Rose and Muir. K. Cla-k. G. Morv'v rnd Co.. Samuel Jacobs. A. T. Brown. T). F M'K-v. Fmnk K. BiHik-r. Charts T.. Hunt. IT. M'Neil, Joseph Isaac;. K. W. Gawne, A. Smith and Co., G, W. Carter. W. .T. -Roll, .Alfred Baker. A. Greiir. J. W. "Raffell-s. W. B. Sainsbn-'-. T. Nrss T. L. Stewart, J. Metenlf. W. J. Potter. D. -M. Beard. G. F. \Vit.hrv ß . Ties and Poole. A. Rpiro. F, A. Kin**. .Tohn Cameron. George H. Ferry. J. Goldsmid, A. M. Hendy, O. 8. Firkin, Jacob Emlis, L. Cur-

tis, Norman Johnson. John T. Cunningharne, and Fred Gerrie were charged with failing to close their tobacconist shops at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 1. —Mr J. B. Callan appeared for the defendants, all of whom pleaded guilty.—lnspector Browett stated that the offence was committed the night before Good Friday, which was not an excepted night.—Mr Callan said that „he parson who prepared the requisition for 7 o'clock closing intended to include the night before Good Friday as an excepted. night, but accidentally had not done so. Under the 8 o'clock -closing the night before Good Friday had been an excepted night.—The Magistrate imposed a fine of Is, with costs (7s), in each case.