CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16506, 5 October 1915, Page 3

CITY POLICE COURT

Monday, October 4. (Before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M.)

Drunkenness. —William Oassidy pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, this being his third lapse within the past six months. He was fined 20s, in default seven days' imprisonment, and a prohibition order was issued against him. One -first offender, Who did not appaar, was fined 10s, or 24 hours' imprisonment,' and a second who was present was fined 5s or 24 hours' imprisonment. Obscene Language.—Margaret Agnes Moore was charged that on September 13, in the Octagon, she did use obscene language within the hearing of passers-by. She pleaded not guilty, and was represented by Mr Irwin.—Constable Fairbanks stated that at 0.35 a.m. he saw the accused cross the street in the Octagon to Jack's'shop', and then retrace her steps to the telephone box. She spoke to someone by the name of George, saying " Come and take me homo." She then used the language complained of. The expressions were used several times. —In answer to Mr Irwin, the constable stated that he heard the words from behind the telephone box. He knew that he had no right to listen to a conversation in a Government telephone box. —Constable. Roycroft gave evidence that the accused rang up the cab rank and asked for someono by the name of George, and then used the language stated.—ln reply to Mr Irwin, witness denied that he had purposely listened at the box to hear what the accused said.— Mr Irwin submitted tha the telephone box" was not a public place.—The. Magistrate held that a. public telephone box was more like a house. —Mr Irwin stated that there' was no' intention on the part of the' accused wilfully to offend the public, even if she did use the language.—The Magistrate said it was a pity to see a young woman like the accused before the court on this charge. The language was used in the early morning, and was not offensive to the public ear. He hoped this would be a lesson to her. She would be convicted and discharged.

Defence Cases. —The Defence authorities brought a big' batch of defaulters before the court on charges of having failed to render personal service. Several did not appear, while others who put in an appearance had practically the same excuse, although in making it, they varied the story somewhat. Fines were imposed as follows, the larger amounts being imposed upon young men who had been for the most part labelled as " shirkers " :—Arthur Inglis Watson, 10s, with costs (7s); Maxwell Frame, Ralph S. Rollo, Thomas IVi ine, William M'Kay, Geo. Rogers, Richard Walsh, Albert E. Williams, 20s each, with costs (7s); Joseph MTlroy, W. A..; Cumberbeach, 'Archibald M'Bride, Frank Hessian, Archie M'Caughan, Sydney James Andrew, £2-' each, with, costs (7s); ':Albert Wright and Ralph ..Kelly, £3, with costs (7s); William Jennings, Edward Hunter, Cecil L. R. Knight, Duncan M'Farlane, and Percy Roberts, £5 each, with costs (7s). A- similar charge against' Arthur Christie Holland was dismissed, as he proved that he was on parade on the occasion when he was alleged to have been absent. Charges against 'a number, of young, men of failing to attend parades were adjourned until November 1. j