CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16600, 25 January 1916, Page 3

CITY POLICE COURT

Monday, January 24.

(Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)

Drunkenness. —Alfred James M'Millan, for a second lapse within the past 6ix months, was fined 12s, including 2s cab hire, in default 48 hours' imprisonment One first offender was fined ss, in default, 24 hours' imprisonment, and a second, who did not appear, was fined 10s, in default, 48 hours' imprisonment.——John Alexander Blythe pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness in High street, and also to a charge of procuring liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order. —On tho first charge ho was lined ss, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and on the second ho was fined 10s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. By-law Cases.—George Robert Storey was fined 10s, with costs (7s), for leaving a motor car in Moray placs on January 14 in sucn a position as t:> endanger lil'e and limb. Arthur Gregory M'Carthy, for leaving a motor cycle and side-car in such a position as to cause an obstruction in Cargill street, was fined I'Os, with costs (7s). Obscene Language.—Jas. Bell, for whom Mr C. N. Sourr appeared, was oharged that on December 30 he did use obscene language in a tramcar travelling along Forbury road. —He pleaded not guilty.—Evidence was given by Daniel T. Winton to the effect that he was conductor on the 1.30 p.m. i3t. Olair-Normanby tramcar on December 30. At Forbury corner the defendant got on the car and he tendered a corporation ticket for his fare. He also told witness to take a "snip" for a soldier, on the car. Witness refused to dp so, and said that if he was doing wrong defendant could refer tho matter to the tramways manager. It was not the first time that defendant had produced a corporation ticket to pay for someono else. The soldier eventually paid his own fare, but the defendant became very excited and used tho language complained of. —In reply to Mr Sourr, witness denied having abused the defendant. —John Burk Slalmond gave oorroborative evidence. —Tho defendant denied using tho language mentioned in tho charge, and said that the conductor practically jumped upon him before he had time to see whether he had the right ticket or not.—Cross-examined by Sub-in-spector Broberg, the defendant admitted having a small glass of beer with his lunch that day, but said that was all the_ liquor ho had had. Ho become somewhat cxcited as tho result of the conductor refusing to punch the tram ticket ho tendered, but he did not use any bad language.—William Frederick Bell, the" defendant's son, who came all the way from tho Rangiotu Military Camp to give evidence, said that ho was tho soldier for whom tho defendant (his 'father) was going to pay on the tram on the day in auestion. The conductor was very rough on his father, and he (witness) did not consider that tho occasion warranted tho conductor in addressing the defendant in tho way ho had. The defendant certainly was angry at being spoken to by the conductor in tho way he 'was, but ho did not use any bad language; in fact, witness had never heard his father use bad language. —Tho Magistrate said the evidence left 110 doubt about the defendant having used the language which he was charged with using, and iti was unfortunate that tho son had been drawn into the case at all. Tho defendant. would be fined £5, with costs (21s), in default 14 days' imprisonment. Expressmen's Quarrel. —Alfred Dyer, for whom Mr Payne appeared, was charged with having on January 17 unlawfully assaulted Angus Graham (Mr Scurr). —A ploa of not guiity was entered. —The evidence for the prosecution consisted of a statement to the effect that the defendant struck the complainant for having interfered with a lady who was about to engage him (defendant) to carry some luggage to Heriot row for her. Complainant was knocked down. —Tho defendant and several witnesses endeavoured to prove provocation by stating that the complainant w;is under the influence of liquor, and that he used an insulting remark to tho defendant. —Reviewing tho evidence, tho Magistrate said it had' n<it been proved that tho complainant had used the expression alleged. There had been a good deal of party feeling shown by a number witnesses with regard to complidnant's condition. In his opinion the defendant committed assault without any real provocation. He would bo finer] 20s, with costs, £1 19s (including solicitor's fee, £1 la). Threatening Behaviour.—Cyril Walter Begbie pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening behaviour in Princes street on Saturday evening, whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned.—Detective-sergeant Kemp said that .the man was arrested on Saturday a. little after 9 o'clock, by Detectives Hammerly and liuJl, who heard the defendant make use of some languago and then assault a respectable citizen. Ho was of indifferent character and followed race meetings—He was fined £2, with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment. Petty Theft.—Antonio Pero, an aged Italian fisherman, from Lower Portobollo, through Mr A. C. Hanlori pleaded guilty to a charge that on divers dates between December 24 and January 13, at Lower Portobello, ho did steal a quantity of wood, valued at 15s, the property of tho Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company.—De-tective-sergeant Kemp in outlining the facta said that defendant had' been warned not to take tho wood, but ho had replied that ho would take it when ho wanted to. —Mr

Ilaiilon pointed out tho defendant's ago, and Htid that ho had personal knowledge of his previous good . character. He believed the defendant thought he -was doing no harm by taking the wood. —Tho Magistrate imposed a fine of £3, with costs (21s).