POLICE COURT.—Thursday.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 428, 25 May 1871, Page 2

POLICE COURT.—Thursday.

[Before Thomas Eeckhani, Esq., R.M.]

Dbfnkenness. —T\ro persons were punished for this offence. «f"

LAECENt". — James Heatoh, a very ■'old offender, was charged by J. Curfcin with having stolen from his place a vest, value 10s., a knife, and a box of collars.—Margaret Corrie deposed to having seen prisoner leave the premises, and same evening missed the articles.—J. Curtin identified the articles as stolen from him.— Prisoner, who had been previously convicted fifteen times, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. Steaung peom Pbehises.—P. Owen was charged with having stolen from the premises of John Henderson, on the 19th instant, a quantity of gold leaf, silver dust, brushes, &c, value, £3. —Defendant admitted he had taken the articles, but without feloivous intent.— John Henderson, painter, Victoria-street, deposed that in consequence of receiving an anonymous letter, he had searched and found the articles named missing, and now identified. —George Rowley deposed that at the end of last week defendant had left a brush at his place till he should pay for drink. —John Kane gave evidence to the same effect respecting gold leaf left with him ; and Mr. Montgomery deposed that defendant had offered similar articles to him for sale.— Detective Jeffery deposed that on his arrest prisoner had acknowledged the theft, and promised to return the articles so soon as he could redeem them.—Prisoner stated that lie was the author of the anonymous letter, and that he had written it to secure the restoration of the articles.—Sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour. Breach of Licensing Act. —Alexander Barr, of the Globe Hotel, Wakefield-street, was charged with having allowed intoxicating liquors to be sold at his licensed house on Sunday, the 7th inst.—Mr. Broham conducted the oate, and Mr. Wynn defended. — , Sergeant Purdy deposed that on the 7th, about noon, he visited the house in company with Sergeant Walker. Hearing a noise within, he could not get admission by the front door, but on going to the back door defendant rushed in; following to a small room, he found a number of men drinking out of pewter pots. Defendant tried to get some of them out of the front. None' of ' them lived in the hotel. There was a small quantity of beer in each measure.—Sergeant Walker gave corroborative evidence.—F. Outridge also gave evidence, but denied having seen liquor served. Witness and two others were in the room for half an hour, with two others. Defendant threw a quantity of beer on the floor. John Welsh'and Robert Wells were examined but gave no evidence to show the serving of drinks. —Mr. Wynn addressed the Court, showing that there was no proof of the giving of drink.—The case was dismissed, with a strong caution. —Another similar charge against the same defendant was withdrawn. —Michasl Corcoran, of the Greyhound Hotel, was charged with having, on tbe night of the Glh instant, permitted drink to be sold in his house alter nours, .u>., n.ee P m .. the licence giving permission to remain open only till 11 o'clock on Saturday night.—Mr. Wynn for the defence.—Constable Furlong was examined by Mr. Broham, when a difficulty was raised by Mr. Wynn as to the proving possession of a licence.—Sergeant Jeffery, however, proved that he had seen the licence held for the house, and issued in 1870. —The evidence of Constable Furlong was continued. Deposed : That when standing opposite the side door he saw drinks served in the bar to six persons ; saw them drink and then leave. It was 55 minutes past eleven. This witness was crossexamined at some length by Mr. Wynn.— Constable Wadham coiroborated this evidence ; which was also corroborated by Jobn Smith, who admitted having been one of those to whom the drinks were served.—This closed the case for the prosecution.—Mr. Wynn, in reply, submitted the licence which gave authority to sell liquor till 12 o'clock at night. (The Act prohibiting sale after 11 o'clock on Saturday night.) He also argued that the alleged offence being one under a licence given under the old Act; the information should have been laid under that Act. — His Worship said that considering the terms of the licence, he would not convict for the offence, and asked Mr. Broham to draw the attention of the officers of the Provincial Government to the error in the issuing of the .licences.