POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1203, 1 December 1873, Page 2

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., 11.M.)

VAGRANCY

Robert Sargent was charged with making use of obscene language last evening in Lome-street, in the presence of a number of children. Prisoner said lie was drunk at the time, and knew nothing of the charge. Constable Naughton proved the charge. He took the prisoner into custody. His Worship remarked on the impropriety of such conduct on the Sabbath day, and asked what was known of the priaoner. Mr Broham said that prisoner hai been convicted for similar offences on eight previous occasions. Prisoner said he was very cony and would not do it a-?ain. Fined £v and costs, or in default thirty days' imprisonment. William Moore, a demure, rough-looking youth, was charged with a breach of the Vagrant Act in having no visible lawful means of support. The boy pleaded guilty. Mr Broham stated that Msore was of weak intellect, and Lad been deserted by his father, who was now in Fiji. The boy had since been living m a semi-barbarous state with the Maoris, who had fed him for a time, and then turned him out. His Worsb'p remanded the case until Wednesday, that public notice might be given it, and at that time something might be done for the boy, who, it appeared, was very haixrless and nidustrious. STRAY HOKSE. Hemy Schumaker was charged with a1 lowing his horse to stray in Mounb-sfcrceb, on the '24th November. Defendant pleaded guilty, but said that some one lefc his paddock gate open, and the horse walked out without leave. This was his first offence. His Worship told Mr Schumaker that he must keep his eye on his hoi se in future, and at present pay 5s and costs. CHIMNEY ON FIRE. Mr Edward Waters was charged with aHowing his chimney, in Qu. ,n-i>treet, to catch firo on the 22ud mst. Mr Joy appeared for defendant, and pleaded not guilty. The chimney was nob on fire. Mr Broham conducted the case on the part of the police. Constable Spry deposed that at a-qua: 'cer past ten his attention was drawn to a quantity of smoke and Hame issuing from Mr Waters' chimney. He went to the house, and Mr Waters was in the 3ot of throM Ing water on the wood. To Mr Joy : He w?s in Vulcan-lane when his attention w?s called to the smoke. He did not then charge Mr Waters, nor did any one persuade him to bring this charge. Is?ac Barnett also witnessed the smoke and sparks coming out of the chimney. William Chapman, bricklayer, deposed that he built Mr Waters' oven, and inspected it but a week before the chimney was supposed to be on tire. He believed that it was impossible for the oven to get on fire. A baker's oven made on his scientific principles never catches fire. The chimney also was in a good condition. James Sinclair was present, and stated that the chimney was not on lire. The water was poured on the wood to preserve it. William Watson, a youth, gave similar evidence. Mr Edward Perkins distinctly saw flames coming out of Mr Waters' chimney. Mr Joy contended that the smoke which the constable saw was in consequence of watering the wood, and he would submit that the evidence of Mr Chapman (a scientific bricklayer) was of great weight. His Worship said that as the evidence was conflicting, and not sufficient to convict under the by-law, the case must be dismissed. OBTAINING GOODS ON FALSE PRETENCES. William Smith, a respectable - looking young man, was brought up on remand charged with obtaining by false pretences on or about {the 15th November a watch of the valuable of £7 10s, from W. S. Dowdall, of Mercer. The accused was further charged with fraudulently obtaining £10, and also £12 in money from Mr. A. Diviania, of the Queen's Redoubt. Remanded until to-morrow. LUNACY. GeorgeTaylorand Alice Mills were charged with lunacy, and upon the testimony of Drs Dawson and Baynton were committed to the Lunatic Asylum. This was all the business.