POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 40, 16 February 1905, Page 3

POLICE COURT.

YESTERDAY. (Before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S-M.) Serious Charges.—'Victor Henry Simmonds, the young man who was committed for trial, as reported yesterday, upon a charge of criminally assaulting a' small boy in the Auckland Domain on January 9th, was similarly dealt with on a second charge of criminally assaulting a boy at Freeman's Bay on February 7th, to which he pleaded not guilty. THIS DAY. (Before Messrs. F. G. Clayton and J. Catch pole, J.P.'s.)

A Negative Position.—One of the first offending drunkards, a woman, pleaded not guilty. This plea necessitated hearing evidence, and a constable told the magistrates that he had to arrest her because, in her drunken condition, ehe refused to pay her fare in a tramcar, sit down, or leave it. "I was as sensible as I am now," urged the defendant, but the police matron gave evidence that her condition in court was very different to what it was when she was brought into the watch-house. The Bench imposed a fine of 10/ and costs.

Illness and its Effects.—When charged with using obscene language yesterday in Grey-street, Annie Thornton said she was very sorry, and would not have thought of using such language only she was unwell. She was also charged with drunkenness upon the same occasion, pleading guilty. There were 13 previous convictions against her for drunkenness, and foi this she was fined 10/ or 48 hours. She had also been, convicted previously for using indecent language, and the Bench sent her to prison for three months on the present charge.

Drunkards. —Annie Sergeant, who was convicted of drunkenness for the fourth time within six months, -was fined £3 or 28 days' hard labour. William Edward Lownfles, a prohibited person, was fined £ 1 and costs for drunkenness, and a first offender was fined 10/.

Systen\atic Sunday Trading.—SubInspector Black, in prosecuting Margaret Roth, of Lower Queen-street, for trading on Sunday, February sth, stated that the defendant did so systematically and might as well completely open her shop. She sold tobacco and refreshments. Her previous convictions for Sunday trading were five in number. The Bench imposed a fine of £1, with 12/ costs.

Alleged Incendiarism. — Frederick David Hunter was charged, in custody, with setting fire to the Ohaupo Hotel, the property of John Teddy, on February 9th. Upon the application of Ohief-Detective Marsack he was remanded for eight days to be dealt, with at Te Awamrrtu.