CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20312, 21 January 1928, Page 22

CITY POLICE COURT.

Friday, January 20. (Before Mi H. W. Bundle, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A statutory first offender was fined 14s, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. ALLEGED ASSAULT. George Simon Ross was charged with, on January 19, at Dunedin, assaulting David Calder Leach.—Mr C. J. L, White, who appeared for the accused, asked for an adjournment for a week. —Sub-inspec-tor Fahey said he had no objection. A remand was granted for a week on bail in the sum of £5. A WANDERER. After spending the greater part of his life in Gore, a young man was seized last month with a desire to wander abroad, and he set out for the north. As one result of his adventures, he was charged with the theft at Berwick of a bicycle valued at £1 10s, the property of John Fraser.—He pleaded guilty, and was represented by Mr O. Cooke, who stated that the police reports had been favourable to the accused. He had been quite frank about the matter, and it appeared that after taking a lady’s bicycle at Berwick he had been given the frame of a man’s bicycle. He had put the frame into the lady’s bicycle, and when he was arrested the bicycle "'as in this condition. Tt appeared that the accused had suddenly decided to leave Gore, and take the action ho did. His brother was a teacher and was willing to look after him. The Magistrate said that tho report of the probation officer showed the accused to be simple-minded, and he had always been treated as a child. He would be admitted to probation for two years, a condition being that he returned to his mother at Gore, and took up work approved by the pr°lmtion officer. —Mr Cooke applied for the suppression of the accused’s name, stating that the status of his brother as a school teacher would be affected. The Magistrate said that the application had to be considered from the point of view of the accused. The case did not seem to be one of criminal .intent, and an order would be made. CASTING OFFENSIVE MATTER. A man who informed the court by letter that he was a stranger to Dunedin, was charged with casting offensive matter in King street on December 23.—Mr Gumming submitted a favourable report, and stated that in this case he would appeal for the suppression of the name for the second time in 20 years.—The Magistrate requested the press to suppress the name of the defendant, and fined him 20s and costs (10s). AN UNPROVOKED ASSAULT. Charles James Wright was charged with the wilful damage of a window in she coor of a corporation tramcar on December 16, and also with using obscene language in Bowen street; and, further, with assaulting one Charles Thomas Eaton. The Accused, who pleaded guilty, was represented by Mr A. G. Mill. Sub-in-spector Fahey said that on the day in question the accused, who was the worse for liquor, put in an appearance at a. Tahuna tramcar driven by Eaton, and used threatening and obscene language within the hearing of several vomen, who were on the car. Eaton started his tram, but the accused followed it along the toad and kicked in one of the windows. Mr Neill said that the accused had taken no drink for 18 months, but on being put off work just before Christmas, he went away with some friends and got drunk. He then journeyed out to Tahuna, and committed the assault. He did not know Eaton, and could give no reason for his action. When sober he was a likeable man, but drink had a bad effect upon i’ini. He had been previously convicted, and fined for assaulting a Hindoo, but this had been done in self-defence, as the Hindoo had attacked him with a knife. Counsel appealed for leniency in the interests of the accused’s wife, who was a delicate woman, and would be a direct sufferer from any penalty imposed on her husband.—Sub-inspector Fahey said that the damage done by the accused amounted to 7s 6d.—The Magistrate said that he had some hesitation in not imposing a penalty of three months imprisonment on each of the principal charges. In .view of his record, the accused certainly deserved this. On the charge of assault, the accused was admitted to probation for two years, a condition being that be took out a prohibition order during that period. For using obscene language he was fined 40s and costs (10s), and on the other charge he was ordered to make good the damage done. LICENSING CASES. Arnold Aloysius Haggett was charged with procuring liquor on December Zo while being a prohibited person.—The defendant, who failed to appear, wrote admitting the offence, and was fined 10s and costs (10s). I John Simon, who failed to appear, wrote stating that his reason for being on the licensed premises after hours on December 28 was that he wished to see i man who was selling a horse. Sub-iu specter Fahey said that the defendant had been seen leaving the hotel at d.Lb am He was under the influence of Honor.— ‘‘ 1 don’t wish to hear more, said tho Magistrate.—The defendant was fined 20s and costs (10s). William Cooper. Thomas Jobson, Amcel Lloyd John Sharp, and William Reid Taylor, all of whom failed to appear, were charged with being found on licensed promises after hours on December 30.—Sergeant Dunlop said he had visited the hotel on the night in question, and found the men within. They all admitted that they were present for the purpose of having a drink.—The defendants were each fined 20s and costs (10s). Ernest Alfred Wood, who did not appear, was charged with procuring liquor while a prohibition order was in force against him.—The Defendant wrote a letter explaining his position, and after reading it his Worship fined him 10s and costs. HOTELKEEPER CHARGED, William Dawson Cowie, licensee ef the Gridiron Hotel, was charged with exposing liquor for sale after hours on December 3; and, further, with selling liquor after hours on the same date.—He pleaded not guilty, and was represented by Mr W. G. Hay. Sub-inspector Fahey appeared for the police.—Sergeant M‘Carthy said that he visited the Gridiron Hotel on December 3, at 11.20 p.m. On entering the private bar he found 10 men and the licensee present. He had doubts about three of the men, and one said that he occupied room 40. in which there were three beds. Witness found that the room contained 10 beds. Others made various excuses, but all were convicted when they appeared before the court. When witness entered the bar the licensee stepped for ward and stated that he could guarantee every man present to he a boarder. He refused to show witness the bedroom book. —ln evidence, the Defendant stated that the men who had been found in the bar were frequent visitors to the hotel, and made a practice of staying over the weekend-. On December 3 he mot them at the front door, and on being asked if he had room, informed them that they would find beds in room number 40. They went to that room, and after two of them had left their hats there they came down to the bar.—To the Sub-inspector: He would deny that the names of all people who visited the hotel after hours were entered in the bedroom hook.—The daughter of the licensee of the hotel gave evidence that the three men referred to slept in the hotel on the night of December 3 and also on the following night. She saw the detective in tile hotel. Tin’s was after 11 o’clock. She had not long returned homo from the fight.—Frederick Jordan, one of the three men concerned, said he stayed at the Gridiron Hotel on the night of December 3. He had stayed there on the previous night. He often stayed at the hotel over a week-end for the sake of company. To Sub-inspector Fahev: He hoarded in Stafford street, but stayed at the hotel for the sake of company and to get a drink if he wanted it. Clark and Walsh also stayed in the hotel n n the night of December 3.—His Worship said he would consider the evidence, and give his decispn la tat.

MOTOR BY-LAW CASES. For speeding on King Edward road on Christmas Eve, Leonard Charles Hitchcox, who did not appear, pleaded guilty, and was fined 30s and costs (10s). Edward Stanley Cross Tyrrell pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a car with, out a license on January 2.—He explained that he was learning to drive the car in a back street when he collided with a man riding a bicycle.—The defendant was fined ss, and costs (10s). David Ernest Geary was charged with placing a number plate, other than his own, on his motor cycle, and, further, with riding his motor cycle at Mosgiel on December 3 without having a proper number plate attached.—Henry Butcher, traffic inspector for the Borough of Mosgiel, gave evidence as to finding the cycle without a proper number plate.—Defendant, who failed to appear, was fined ss, and costs (10s), on each charge.—" I do not think there was any intention to de fraud,” added the Magistrate. Edward Burn Ashton was fined ss. ana costs for cycling at night without a light. Frank Barnett, for allowing a motor car to remain in High street for a longer period than 15 minutes, was fined ss, and costs. Stanley Benjamin Butler, the unlicensed driver of a motor cycle, was fined 5s and costs. • Arthur Jamieson Bush, driver of a motor car, who did not appear, was fined 10s and costs for passing a stationary tramcar. , . , John Duff wa s fined 5s and costs tor driving a motor car at night without a light. David Cargill M’Lcllan was charged with driving a motor car to which no light was attached. —He was fined ss, and C ° StS ’ ALLEGED THEFT. Francis Dooley was charged with, on December 25, at Palmerston, stealing an overcoat, valued at £2, the property of Vance Hannah. The Accused said the coat was given to him. 1 On tho application of Sub-inspector Fahey, the accused was remanded to appear at Palmerston on January 24. UNLICENSED WIRELESS SET. Charles Gordon Shand, who did not appear, was charged with, on January 5, establishing an unlicensed wireless set. He pleaded guilty by letter, saying that the set was a borrowed one, which he had on trial, with the intention of buying it if he were satisfied with it. Detective Beer said the accused’s home W as visited on the sth mst. Defendant said he had the set on loan. The defendant was fined 10s, and costs. ILLEGALLY ON RACECOURSE. George Chooquee was charged with, on January 2, having trespassed .on the Waikouaiti racecourse during a race meeting. He pleaded guilty, adding that he did not know no was committing an offence until he was warned by the police. A detective found the accused on the racecourse. —The accused was fined 20s and costs. William Ramsay was similarly charged. The accused did not appear, but sent a letter to the clerk, pleading guilty.— Detective Beer said he found the accused on the racecourse. He was on probation at present for having received stolen property. His conduct as a probationer had been satisfactory. When warned to leave the ' course the man left.—The accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within 12 months if called upon. Arthur George Webber was similarly charged. He pleaded guilty, and in reply to his Worship, said he was 22 years of age.—Detective Beer said he found the man on the racecourse. He was at present on probation for breaking and entering at Oamaru.—The Accused said that some friends gave him a ticket, and he thought ho was not breaking the law unless he had been previously warned. He was not gambling.—Accused was fined 20s and costs. MAINTENANCE ORDER. John Riley was charged with failing to comply with a maintenance order. Sub-inspector Fahey said that in August last this man, who was the stepfather, promised to try to pay something by December, but so far he had paid nothing. After hearing the evidence of the defendant, his Worship said he would make no order in the meantime. VARIATION OF MAINTENANCE ORDER. Walter Penrose Hensleigh applied for the cancellation, suspension, or variation of a maintenance order in respect of his wife.—Mr O. Cooke appeared for the complainant, and Mr H. E. Barrowclough for the defendant.—After evidence further hearing of the case was adjourned until January 30. _