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Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 140, 21 June 1870, Page 2

lit the Police Court, to-day, five drunkards were broughtup for judgment. One of these, a " weaker vessel," but very often before the Bench for containing too much strong liquor, was sent to Mount Eden on an additional charge of vagrancy. She declared that she wanted to get over to her husband in Melbourne; that she was always in Mount Eden, and didn't like the place, and she was determined she would not work thore. Some minor cases, under the Impounding arid Municipal Acts, were rnpidly disposed of, and the attention of the Court was for a good while occupied in a charge relating to the nuisance in Durham-street. 'Ihis, after a patient investigation, and a defence by Mr. Joy of great ability, resulted in a dismissal. 3he decision is undoubtedly a correct one. This nuisance is known to exist, and to be a source oi unn/.yance to the neighbourhood, and wo sympathise with the police in the unpleasant duty laid upon them in connection with it; and although we are glad that the prosecution failed, it will have a good effect. We do: not mean in the way hoped by his Worship, that it would act as a warning, but the contrary ; for it has shown that there is no clause giving power in Auckland to punish any person for committing such nuisance in the absence of actual exposure. We wish, therefore that it should be known as widely as our paper circulates that everyone can,freely, and with perfect impunity, commit this nuisance in Durham-street or any other place, even Qucen-streel itself, if there is no actual iodecent exposure. As to the immediate necessity for the erection of public urinals, we need not argue. '.I hat a city of such a size should be destitute of such conveniences is simply disgraceful ; and nofa: that the law 6n the subject is known we sincerely hope that-the nuisance will spread .'defiuutly i through the city till those in whose hands power is will provide what nature and crowded populations demand. , .

On the resumption of business in the Police court, tb-day; the Court, which was yesterday like a crockery shop,, had the appearance of being an upholsterer's wjirehouse^ iPalcon and tfniith,.whohad-just been committed for trial for the robbery of Mr. 'Probert's store, were again arraigned on tbe.charge of robbing that of Messrs. Winks and ffall. Evidence wjas beiug.received as we went to press,; • : •

■A.R.Y. —A meeting of No. 3 Company whs held last evening, when it was unanimoasfy carried, "That the Company pledge themselves -to elect: J. McL'osh Clark, Esq., as captain, as soon as the resignation of Major Heaphy has been accepted by thp Government. The following promotion was made :— Corporal Lepin,e to be Sergeant, Corporal Edgerly. to be1' Sergeant, Private Tierriey to I}e Corporal, Private Jidgerly,, •Co'-poi'al, Piivate Thos. Me Ewan to be Lance-. Corporal. The usual business in reference to the management of the company was theii enierefl into, and the meeting adjourned.

A jieetin'g of the creditors of William Wilfrid Wilson will be held on the 25tli instant.

(Pi?NpEftß are called for certain repairs to the High School in Syraoncls-street. |

A swill be seen from another column, an entertainment will bo given this evening in the rooms of the Xpu::g.? Men's' Christian Association,-ifi aid of the funds of the Drum "aSd Fife 'pand'of the Auckland Band of Hfrpe. lAs this is to be of tlie nature. ; of those entertainments recently given ib the, Parnell Hall, we can in the very strongest terms recommend it as likely to be delightful in the extreme. It will be ■recollected that a meeting is to be held this evening, in the library of the Mechanics' Institute, at 8 o'clock, to arrange for the second of the series of entertainments in connection with the Institution.

We learn that &t a meeting of the settlers ol Wangarei, held on Monday morning, it was resolved that the steamer Samson should be snpported in the trade.

We do not like beslavering public officers with praise, but really the conduct of Mr. Detective Ternahan and the police in ferreting out the details of the astonishing robbery in Shortland-street, is de serving of no ordinary recognition. It seems to pass all understanding that the victims of these systematic depredations should have so long continued ignorant of the diminution of their stores, and from the coolness with which the robbers helped themselves to the generosity that furnished houses with the tapestry and carpets and richest china, there is something irresistibly ludicrous in the whole thing. But gazing at the wares that turned the temple of Themis into a crockery shop, it is impossible not to admi/e the indtxstry and keenness of the officers, and we trust that the event will not pass away without something more than the ordinary complimentary recognition of zeal*

When shall wo have done with malicious prosecutions? Is there no means of putting fear into the hearts ol those who try to turn the machinery ol justice to the gratification of vindictive spite. The case of Greville V- Hall, tried yesterday in the Police Court, for "fradulent conversion of l^ills of Exchange," was too mildly characterised by counsel as a " cruel case of prosecution." Prosecutor owed money to defendant, find gave him certain bills, which defendant wisely refused to give up, and for this lin is dragged from iShortland a prisoner, and made to stnnd in'a felon's dock ; and he goes forth now with the stigma upon him that he has stood his trial tor crime. Are we to stand tamely by and see such an outrage on a fellow citizen ? Who is safe ? Whose tnrn may it be next? Mr. George Hall goes forth, from that Cotirt not only without a stain or shadow on his character, but he deserves the heartfelt sympathy of every honest man for the outrage that has been perpetrated on him through the agency of laws framed for our protection.