MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 332, 20 October 1908, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

POLICE CASES:

(Mora Mr. W. G. -Riddcll, S.M.) WHARF PORTER IN; TROUBLE. A case of special interest to hotel porters, who attend 011 the wharves-to meet incoming steamers, was one in which, the •.■.Wellington Harbour Board proceeded .--.against .a porter named David Grinton, charging .him with having, on October 4, failed : to keep silence on tho .Queen's Wharf on ,tho. arrival of'tho steamer' Maori fr.olh Lyttelton,..contrary to the by-law of the 'board. Mr. Weston appeared for the , HarbourBoard. ... Mr. Fitzgibbons, who appeared for-.defend-ant, said the matter was-one of; the..utmost importance to porters, who'■wero not quito, satisfied with tho cases already settled on .the point in question. His:. Worship , was referred to various authorities:by both-counsel, and reservod his "■ -■>■■

INFORMATIONS 'DISMISSED. ; ; - A young man named Stephen Hansen,-a billiard-marker, was charged'(l) with having used obscono language, and- (2) with having wilfully obstructed Constab'l6' Thomson whilst, in tho execution of his''.duty.'' Defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges. After hearing evidence at some length, his. Worsliip Said ho was not prepared tpvconvict on the evidehco, but ho could say defendant had had a narrow escape. • Each informationwould be dismissod. Mr. ; Herdman appeared' for tho defence.' "•* ' "v "

BREACHES OF PROHIBITION. ORDERS. Arthur Kirko was convicted and fincd;4os., and costs 75., in default seven days' imprisonment, on a charge of ontering licensed premises during'tho currency of ■ a prohibitionorder.

Ellen Anderson, charged with procuring beor during tho currency' of • a ' prohibition order, was convicted and fined 40s M and costs 75., in default seven days' 'imprisonment. '

MISCELLANEOUS,.. John Patrick G'oyle pleaded not-guilty to a charge of having used obscene language in Lorno Street. After hearing tho evidence, his Worship entered a sentence of twentyrono days'imprisonment. ' Robert Wilson, a laboureiy pleaded guilty to a charge of having used obscene language, and was sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment.

A j'oung man named Norman Christopher was convicted and fined 20s;, in default seven days' imprisonment, on a charge of disorderly conduct m Lambton Qua}' whilst drunk;

Georgo Pinnock, charged' with disobeying an order to pay 10s. per week towards the support of his mother, was convicted. and fined 205., in default soven days' iniprisoiiment. • ' :

Two first offenders, for 'drunkenness,-, were dealt with, one being fined 10s., and the other being convicted and discharged. -

L'Vancis James Cox was charged with having, at Christchurch,. on- October I,.committed theft of a si 1 Vei'-inoitiited -'"''iva]kingstick, valued at £1 IOsV, tho property .of Edgar F. Stead. On the application cf Acting Chief Detective Brobetg,-accused was iemanded to appear at Christchurch oil fOcto-' bor 21. ~ - :

Herbert Cecil Collins, a- coachman, appeared in answer to a charge of li;lving, at Wellington, 011 September 19, received the sum of £6 3s. 7cl. on terms, requiring him to iccount for tho samo to Harold H. '8011,, and that he did fraudulently convert the same to fiis own use. Acting Brobflrg asked for a remand until Wednesday. Oil the application of Mr. 0 Learv, for -tho defence, bail was allowed -in the "sum of £10,"and one surety of £10. ■

CHARGE OF ASSAULT- AND ROBBERY

AN ALIBI PROVED. " " The partially-heard case against Patrick M'Gill, charged with having, on September 21, assaulted and robbodpono. Henry,. Wobherley, was resumed before ' Mr. \V. .G. Riddell, S.M. Acting Chief Detective Broberg; appeared for the prosecution, and -Jlr. Wilt'ord Jor the defence. ,• . ' ■

Herbert Fox, clerk, deposed ■ that about 11 p.m. 011 September 21, lie was, .passing through Aitken Street, and. hoard a man, moaning. Witness and who was with him waited, and throo: men -.came across a vacant section and into Mulgrave Street. Witness's friend called and the tlireo men ran away, witness and-his friend giving chase. Witness caught.\ oil© of the men and took him into the vacant-section, where-up-n Wcbberley came up.v-.Witnt-.a c. uid not identify the threo men. .

Sergeant Kelly deposed 'that at about 8.20 p.m. on September 21 he. visited .'the Britannia Hotel and saw Webbeiley. aml\accused at the bar. Tho men,.-left the hotel and wont towards Upper Willis., Street... Constable Prendcrgast staged that lie was. in Aitken Street about 11-p.m. -on' September 21, and arrested Webberley on-a<chargo of insobriety. Wcbberley's clothes .were.unfastened and hanging loose about him. Detectivo Williams also gayo evidence..; Accused elected to --give -''evidence, and stated that he took ..no-! part'.: in tho robbory described..., by; complainant;" Ho was in Wellington .011 tho; '.evening in question, but left for Petono nt 9.25. Win. John Bale, butcher, ..stated that ho saw M'Gill at Petone a few r minutes after tho arrival of-the 9.50 p.m. train on September 21. - —

Walter Kerr, steward,,,gave evidence, to similar effect. , , Alfred Wragge, employed ,liy, Allendor aiul Co., Pot-one, deposed that ho-loft Wellington 7 by the 9.25 p.m. train; 'ftfr. .Pet-oho'.'oir.Sep-ternber 21. M'Gill was .in'the same carriage as witness. ■

;Robt. James Trengroyo, "striker. in. tho Government workshops, "Stated that . he. saw M'Gill at Petone just after; tho, arrival of the 9.50 p.m. train on September 21. t His Worship said he was! satisfied that if tho evidence was presented to a. jtiry .it would not convict. Defondant would/ bo discharged. ' ... . .. " ,

MOUNT COOK POLICE COUBT.

At the Mount Cook Police Court yesterday morning,, before Mr. J. Collins, J.P., Robert Suddens, for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged.