Police Court.

Southland Times, Issue 13446, 5 May 1896, Page 3

Police Court.

Monday, 4th May. (Before J. W. Poynton, Esq. . S.M.) BREACH OF THE PUBLIC WORKS ACT. Two lads pleaded guilty to having interfered with a portion of the railway rolling stock. The Sergeant stated that the lads had taken one of the railway trollies and had been using it to run another mate up and down the road. — The Magistrate cautioned and discharged them. DRUNKENNESS. A first offender was fined 5s and costs 2s and on his own application a prohibition order was made out against him, to take effect in the Invercargill district. BREACH OF THE PEACE. Three young men pleaded guilty to having committed a breach of the peace on Saturday night. The evidence showed that while going home under the influence of liquor, without provocation, they assaulted a young man, knocked him down and pummelled him, but without inflicting any severe injuries. They expressed penitence for their conduct, attributing it solely to drink, and promised that they would not misbehave again. — His Worship said the act was one of larrikinism and must be punished. They would be fined 10s each, and collectively would have to pay costs lis, and 9s 6d damage to the clothing of the person assaulted. Had it not been for their previous good character the penalty would have been much more severe. .MAINTENANCE CASES. Marjorie Fraser and Ellen MuLeod were charged on separate informations with failing to contribute to the support of their children in the Industrial School. Mr Macalister appeared for each defendant, and for the former agreed to an order by which defendant is to pay 5s 6d per week, in the latter case an adjournment was made for two months to allow defendant an opportunity of getting a situation, as she stated was her intention. LARCENY FROM A CHURCH. James Hillet pleaded guilty to a charge of having on May 3, at the Bluff stolen an overcoat and a pair of gloves valued at L 2 10s, the property of Henry Woods, and a hat, the property of J. H. Keed. The Sergeant stated that on Sunday night accused was in j the Bluff P.M. church, sitting at the back. He went out before the service was over and the articles stated, which had been hanging in the church, were missed as the congregation retired. The police were communicated with and found accused on the road with a lot of clothes in a sack. At the bottom were the stolen articles. — Accused said that he had had a sunstroke when he was in Australia some years ago and ever since when he took any drink it affected his head so that he did not know what he was doing.— His Worship said that if such were the case he Bhould not take drink. — The police record showed that acoused has served several terms of imprisonment during the last few years for serious offences and his Worship sentenced him to six months' imprisonment. VAGRANCY. John Gregg was charged with having no visible means of support. Accused pleaded guilty but stated that he had been working for Mr Impey, herbalist, until Tuesday last. — The Sergeant asked his Worship to reserve sentence as he had only received information of accused's conduct that day and it was probable other charges would be brought against him. Accused pressed for immediate sentence and the magistrate decided to hear the evidence. The story told by the sergeant revealed a disgraceful state of affairs. Accused, who appeared to be a strong young fellow of about 30 and with considerable natural ability, had during the last few days blackmailed a young girl. He had persistently demanded money from her under threat of disclosing an alleged incident in her past life and one which there was every reason to believe had no foundation in fact. On being told that she had no money he wanted her to let him pawn her gold ring or her dress— anything by means of which he could raise money. The girl had been so worried by the man's conduct as to frequently go into fits and she was compelled to seek protection from the police. Mr Impey had stated that accused had swindled hiui. The man at first denied the truth of thestory, but ultimately admitted instating that he was bard up and had intended returning the money when he got work.— His Worship said he did not know of anything meaner than accused's conduct had been, and would mark his disapprobation by sentencing him to three months' imprisonment.