POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 622, 9 January 1872, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

Before H. H. Turton, Esq., and— Hok Esq., Justices of the Peace. DETTNKENNESS. Two persons were dealt with as the law directs for the offence of intoxication. VAGBANCY.

James Kelly, alias John Jones, alias John Smith, was charged with tho offence of begging in a public street, to wit Queen street. The charge was proved by a person who had been importuned by the prisoner for money, and his character was deposed to by the police. Five previous convictions were scored against the prisoner, but he asserted strongly that he was never iv gaol in his life which he could prove by calling Mr Dunn, the Governor of tho gaol, if he was allowed. A witness called by the prisoner deposed to to his being a coal lumper and constantly in employment on board the different steamers. Sergeant Pardy reopened the case for the prosecution, and called another witness who deposed to his begging propensities. The Court sentenced him to seven days imprisonmen with hard labor. PUEIOU3 BIDIKG. Richard Nichalas ai)d Joseph Osborno pleaded guilty to furiously riding horses in Queen street, on the evening of the 29th ult. Fined 10s and costs. QUABBLLINO OVEB THE "WALL. James Mahoney pleaded not guilty to assaulting David Elliott, by striking him in the face with his clenched fist, on the 2nd inst, in Parncll. Mr. J. B. Russell appeared for the complainant; Mr. Joy, L.L.8., for defendant. David Elliott, builder, tho proprietor of several houses in Parnell, deposed to defendant Striking him withou any provocation whatever. The complainant had caused his well to be cleaned out, and while ho was surveying the work the defendant cam* to him and asked for a jug of cold water, which was not refused, but conceded in a neighborly manner, upon which the defendant most unaccountably told him that he had as much right to the water from the well as he had, and even divested himself of his coat and assumed a threatening attitude. Complainant told him to leave his premises, or he would give him in oharge of a policeman. Complainant walked away to avoid any unpleasantness ; but, on returning, was assaulted by the defendant. He now fears bodily harm unless tho said defendant is restrained.

To Mr. Joy : No tenant was in possession of the houses to which the well belongs. He told defendant the day previously that he could not allow his tenants to go elsewhere for water whilo defendant, who was not a tonant, took water from tho well. One of his houses was let to a Mrs. Jones. If that party had given defendant any right to use the well, she had no authority to do so. -Margaret Roberts, a tenant of complainant's, ovorheard the defendant complain at Mr. Elliott refusing his daughtor a bucket of water the previous d*y. The defendant throw his jug down, and broke it, and took his waiscoat off, but she saw no blow struck. She had given Mrs. Mahoney leave to take water from tho well, but the woll was not in her yard, and she had no authority to do so. She was positive there was no striking. Barbara Sargent, also a tenant, saw the threatening attitude of the defendant, but did not witness the assault. She went away as she did not wish to be mixed up with any quarrelling. John McConnell, a neighbour, corroborated the foregoing. The evidence of these three witnesses appeared to take the oounsel for the complainant by surprise. The Bench dismissed the case, and ordered each party to pay their own costs, and the defendant was advised for the future "to let the well alone." LOVING AND AFFECTIONATE NEIGHBOBS. John Pratt was charged with having unlawfully assaulted Mercy Ooyle at Mount Eden Road, on the same day as the previous assault occurred.

Mr. Joy, LL.B., for complainant; Mr. Boveridge for defendant. Another charge preferred by the daughter of the defendant against the complainant was also made.

From the evidence it appeared that the children of the parties concerned had been quarrelling, and it was taken up by the parents. Each of them now went in fear of grievious bodily harm being done by the other j

as a preventative to which the Court sentenced Pratt to pay a fine of ten shillings and costs, and ordered both parties to be bound over in £20, with two sureties of £10 each, to keep the peace for six months, each party paying their own costs in the second case.

This concluded the business,