POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1695, 24 July 1875, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.)

HUMAN SHADOWS. Thomas Reed, who was unable to tell his name until reminded of the seme, was fined 10s and costs for being drunk last night. Thomas McKay, who did not appear forfeited his bail. A LOAFER. William McKeown was charged under the Vagrancy Act with drunkenness and vagrancy, and with having no visible lawful means of support. Prisoner said he was guilty but was going to the Waikato to woik as soon as Mr Martin should send for him. Mr Broham said the prisoner was a drunkard and a loafer; he had been frequently convicted. Fined 10s and costs. AIRY DREAMS. Henry Bennett, alias " Harry, the Rover," wes charged, under the, Vagrancy Act, with being found on the premises of John Currie, in Queen-street, on the night of the 23rd. Prisoner admitted being in the premises, but he was a hard-working man, and merely went in to lie down. He wes not a vagrant. He was not there for any unlawful purpose. Detective Jeffrey deposed that, last night, he was informed that a strange man had crept into the premises of Mr Currie, coachbuilder, and had made up a bed of straw. His snores disturbed the neighbours, and attracted attention to the spot. It was thought at first that a pig had got into the place.

Prisoner said he was really a hard-working man, but had drank tco much whiskey, and made him feel sleepy. He had been employed by Mr Messenger, and had only come from Wellington three weeks ago. His Worshp said that he had rendered himself liable to a long imprisonment, but as he was a stranger and nothing was known of him, the court would only send him to gaol for fourteen days. WANDERING LUCY. Lucy Duncan, alias "Lucy Long," was charged with drunken and disorderly conduct. The prisoner confirmed the charge, but was sorry. She felt bad in the head, and took three nobblers of brandy, which overcame her, and she fell to earth. Fined, 10s and costs. POUNDING JOHNNYV Martin Kenny, a seaman,^_was charged with using desperate language toward John Graham, his superior officer, on board the Robina Dnulop, on the 24th inst. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. John Graham deposed that prisoner was disobedient and called h^m all sorts of names, threatening to pound him up in mincemeat; he was afraid ©f him. His Worship : Are you really afraid of him? Prosecutor : Yes, your Worship, he is a desperate fellow, as you see. His Worship : I am afraid I cannot assist you, you must lay an information under the Vagrancy Act for using indecent language. Prosecutor : What security has an officer got, your Worship, against a seaman like-this man? His Worship ; How long have you been at sea? Prosecutor : About four months. Well, I must discharge him, and you must biing him up under a different information. PROFESSOR EVANS. George Evans, described as a hair-dresser, was charged with larceby of half a sovereign, on the 23rd inst., the property of Henry Wolfe, of Auckland. . Mr. Broham asked that the case might be remanded in order to the introduction of the facts of the case. Mr. Joy, who appeared for the defence, asked that prisoner, who wa3 a respectable barber in Queen-street, might be admitted to bail. The case was remanded until Tuesday, and bail allowed in two sureties of £40 each. BREACH OE SLAUGHTER-HOUSE ACT. Albert DornwelJ, secretary of the Co-opera-tive Meat Supply Association, was summoned for committing a breach of the Slaughter-house Act by killing "other than his own cattle at the Three Kings. "*"**•*•' Mr Brookfied, who appeared for Mr Clayton, briefly stated the facts, and believed that Mr Dornwell had acted without any intention of infringing the Act. The matter was simply brought as a matter of principle. y Mr Hesketh, who appeared for Mr Dornwell, said he would admit the facts ; but the question was whether his client had committed an offence by killing other than his own cattle.

His Worship said the gist of the matter was whether Mr Dornwell could use his own licence for the Co-operative Society ; he was of opinion that he could not do so. As Mr Dornwell had no doubt acted without any wrong intention, he suggest the withdrawal of the matter, and, as Mr Dornwell now knew the law respecting the license, if he acted so in future, he would be liable.

Mr Bruokfield said be would have no objection to a withdrawal, provided Mr Dornwell paid the expenses ; there were a number of witnesses.

It was finaliy agreed between counsel to divide the expenses, and withdraw the case.

THE POUNDING CASE.

Martin Kenny was aj<ain brought up under the Merchant Seaman's Act, for wilful disobedience of orders. John Graham (the master) and James Sinclair (a seaman) proved the facts. The accused had not only threatened to pound the prosecutor into mince-meat, but had refused to cut wood, and do other work. The prisoner, with an impertinent air, addressed the Court, and was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment.