POLICE COURT

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3482, 26 April 1872, Page 3

POLICE COURT

Thuesday, April 25.

(Before J. C. Crawford. Esq., R.M., and Win. Bectham, Esq, J.P.) DEUJJK AND INCABABLE. John M'Guinness was charged with being drunk and incapable, and was discharged with a caution. SUSPICION OP LUNACY. Wiremu Mahupuka, the Hutt Maori who has been several times beforo the Court on this charge, was brought before tho Court. The frequent remands had given time to improve the man's condition, which was very bad on his first appearance beforo the Court, and a further remand of eight diys wn3 granted to complete the process of restoration to something like a healthy stute of existence. ABSh.TT PBOil DUTY. William Johnson, cook and steward on board the City of NcwcasMe, was charged with being absent from duty, and was sentenced to 24 hours' imprisonment. A cluira made by Johnson for wages was dismissed. LAKCENY. Peter J. Fotheringhum was charged with stealing a cage of razors, tho property of W. H. Pascoe. The plaintiff deposed that on Tuesday last he wer t ; nto his room at tho Panama Hotel, and found that tv cuse containing two razors and a number of collars had been stolen. Recognised the razors produced as his property, which he valued at 15s.

John Price, the constable who arrested the prisoner, stated that on Tuesday about hnlfpast six o'clock he saw the prisoner drinking among several other men in tho bar of the Victoria Hotel. He first arrested the prisoner on the charge of being drunk and disorderly, and when bringing him to the police station he pulled something out of his pocket and threw it aw:iy. Made search for this, and found it to bo a case containing razors. The razors produced were thoso thrown away by tho prisoner. In consequence of instructions he went to tho Panama Hotel to make inquiry about a robbery that had boon committed there. The prisoner was drunk when arrested.

On being asked what ho had to say tho prisoner said ho wanted to see Mr Brogan, the bootmaker, to know whether the things belonged to him. Ho thought they belonged to Brogan because they had been on the spree togcthor.

Inspector Atcheeon said this was ono of tho most impudent robberies that had over been committed in the town.

His Worship said the surrounding circumstances, wero so clear that there was little doubt the prisoner had made no mistake whatever. The throwing away of tho articles was evidence that he knew perfectly well what he was about, and he would bo sentenced to threo months' imprisonment with hard labor. FELONIOUSLY STEALING. P. J. Fotheringhain was charged with stealing a watch, £12 in money, and other articles from the Panama Hotel. James Nesbit, tho landlord of tho Hotel, saw the prisoner on Tuesday about two o'clock in the bar. No conversation took place between them. Prisoner was loafing about, asking people for drink. Witnoss knew prisoner had no money because ho asked to bo given drink on credit. Witnoss refused and prisoner went into a room whero other persons wero. About an hour and a half afterwards witness's wifo complained to him that a robbery had been committed. Ho went into the bedroom, whero the money was kept, and found tho room in a state of confusion and missed about £12 from a drawer whero it hud bcon phced. A little boy's money box was broken open and the contents taken away. Witness also missed a greenstone ornament, 11 watch chain, an earring, and a gold cross. Identified the articles produced as thoso stolen.

Prisoner: You did'nt say anything about who was in the parlor with mo. Wasn't Mr Brogan there. Witness : Yes, you wero sponging upon Mr Brogan for drink. Prisoner : If I had found tho things in tho street I would have returned them.

Constable Price repeated the ovidenco a3 to tho arrest oi the prisoner, and the finding of tho property upon him. In addition to tho articles rccognioed by tho prosecutor he had upon him in money, £8 12s Gd, comprised of four £1 notes, one sovereign, two half sovereigns, £2 12 3d in silver and 3d in coppers. The prisoner was yery violent when arrested, and attempted to escape. Prisoner : I urn like that when I am on the spree.

Inspecloi' : Wo'll tako it out of you. Prisoner : I should bo very glad if you would let me go. I want to go homo to Bng-

land, and I have a wifo and family to look after.

Inspector : You'll have to defer your visit to England for a little time. Prisoner : Is thero any bail ? His Worship : You have three months to get over already, and before that tho criminal session will be on. Yju are committed for trial. THREATENING LANGUAGE. John O'Neill was charged with using threatening language towards hi 3 wife, Ann O'Neill. Defendant admitted having stated ho would put a ball through Mrs O'Neil, if he found her living with Gruy or any other man. On this admission defcudaut was bound over to keep the peace for six months. CIVIL CASES. Wilton v Luxford— Claim £13 for one years' rent of portion of town reserves jointly occupied by plaintiff and defendant, but so sub divided as to lead to complication in the payment of the rental. 'There were points involved which could not readily be decided, and as there were legal points to bo determined the case was adjourned till next day. M'Donald v Marshall — Claim for medical attendance. Defendant, a rcpi<ijv.l atPorirna, stated that he had never employed tho plaintiff. Ho had not required the services of n doctor for four years, thank Ood l His dnnghuiight have employed tho plaintiff, but she was a married woman, and he could not bo held responsible for her debts, lie belioved she had paid the debt as he had lent her some money for that purpose. Plaintiff was nonsuited with costs. Barber v Styles— Claim, M 13s Cd. Adjoorned till Monday. Staples v Hawke' — Claim, £10. Judgment for amount and costs, £l.

.A. P. Stuart v llowo— Claim, £1 8s 4d Judgment for amount and cost?.