Police Court—This Day.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8630, 7 April 1897, Page 2

Police Court—This Day.

(Before Mr E. S. Bush, S.M.)

STEALING BILLIARD BALLS. James Ireland was charged with stealing three billiarl balls, the property of Mr F. Syms, of the Governor Bowen Hotel, on the 24th February, and four billiard balls on March 3rd, the property of Mr W. Bright, of the Queen's Hotel. Accused consented to be dealt with summarly, and then pleaded guilty to both charges, stating that he had been drinking it the time, and askod to be leniently dealt with. Sergeant Gillies pointed out that the accused had been convicted on three charges of theft here last month, and since he had been sent to Mount Eden the present charges had been traced against him. Mr Bush asked accused his age, and Ireland replied "Thirty." Mr Bush said accused was evidently travelling on a downward course. He . would be sentenced to four months' imprisonment on each charge, sentences to run concurrently. SUPPLYING A PItOHIBITED PEBSON. Dorothy Fennell was charged with supplying liquor to a prohibited per- • son, Mary Rolton, on or about the

16th March. Accused pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Gillies called the following witnesses in support of the charge: ! Charles Eolton deposed that ho saw the accused " plant" a bottle of beer in a room of her house which was frequented by his wife. The accused had been repeatedly cautioned not to supply his wife with drink. J Constable Stapleton said the last witness brought him a bottle of beer on the afternoon of the 16th March, and'stated that he'gdt it in the d^fen^ dant's house. He had previously complained about his wife being supplied with liquor by the defendant. He interviewed the accused, who stated she had never given the beer to Mrs Eolton, but had placed it in a small room and told her where she could find it. He ascertained that the accused had purchased four bottles of beer from the hotel on the 16th instant. Mrs Eolten's husband was at work during the day. Patrick Sullivan, licensee of the Shortland Hotel, deposed to selling accused two bottles of beer on the 16th March. Sergeant Gillies : Did she get two also from your : wife ? Witness: I don't know where she got any other beer from. Mr Eolton was called, but did not appear, being too ill to attend. The accused, on being asked if she had anything to say, made a lengthy statement, which was intended to be a general denial of the charge against her. In cross-examination, however, she admitted that Mrs Eolton had been a frequent visitor to her house, and she had seen her often under the influence of liquor. The beer was intended for her own use, as she required it as a "medicine." She never gave Mrs Eolton beer, but it was placad where Mrs Eolton could see it, and she could help herself if she wished, though she believed she never did so. Mr Bush, S.M.: What is the position of these persons ? Sergeant Gillies: The husband is earning about £1 a week. They are a perfect nuisance to the police, being always in trouble. The accused has served a previous sentence of fourteen days for supplyiug liquor to a prohibited per Eon, Mr Bush, S.M. (addressing accused), said: You ought to be thinking of something else at your time of life, than supplying drink to other people to increase their miseries. lam quite satisfied that you supplied this woman with drink. I hardly know what to do witlj a person of your age. You will be fined 40s and costs lls.

The accused said she was "very bad," and had no money. Sergeant Gillies said he would make inquiries, but he did not think accused was so bad as she pretended to be.