LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 14

LAW REPORTS.

LOWER COURT. THE GAOL-BREAKER DONOVAN. OTHER CASES. THE NEW RULES OF THE ROAD.' In prison garb, accompanied by two warders, Patrick Donovan, when called, walked to the box- at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, nnd pleaded guilty to a chargo of being an incorrigible rogue, and with having broken gaol. The magistrate (llr. W. G. Riddell) sentenced him to tlireo months' imprisonment; this term to take cft'ect after ho has completed a term of three years and six months which he is now serving. BEGGING ALMS. When . Alexander Thompson pleaded guilty to a charge of being on idle and disorderly person, begging alms, he said:

."1 had fiveponce in my pocket, and I was only asking a man for a penny, to make up Gd., so that 1 could get some tea, and tlieu X was going to work. lam not a bad character. lam a hard workman, and have never been convicte4 before." Inspector Hendry stated that the accused had been seen approaching no fewer than four men, whom he had asked for money. "He found that an easier way to get money than by the sweat of his brow," concluded tho inspector. His Worship: "You have given yourself a fairly good character, and I am propared to give you a chance. Tou will be ordered to come up for sentence when called upon." The accused: Thank you, Sir. . INROAD ON A SHOP. A plea of guilty was entered by Arthur Harold Sergeant when charged with stealing (at Auckland) one sac suit, a pair of trousers, anil a fountain pen, valuod in all at £4 10s., the property of Jamea A. Williamson. Chief-Detective Broberg stated that on May 28 accused entered tho shop occupied by Williamson, and took the goods. He afterwards came down to Wellington, where ho was arrested. The goods were then found in his possession. He was 20 years of age. His Worship convicted accused, and ordered him to come up for sentence when called upon. OTHER POLICE CASES.

A sentence of. throe months' imprisonment was imposed on Norman Eraser, who was deemed to bo an idle and disorderly person, having insufficient means of support. • ' ffm, Cochrane and James Thompson were fined 20s. each, in default threo days' imprisonment for insobriety. One first offender on a similar charge was fined 10s„ or twenty-four hours' imprisonment, and four others were convicted and discharged. Jeannie Leahy pleaded guilty 'o a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, who consorted with reputed prostitutes. His Worship sentenced accused to one month's imprisonment. On a similar charge, Annie Widdas was remanded for medical treatment.

Walter Thos. Miles was remanded to June 25 on a charge of assaulting Wm. Beresford and robbing him of the sum of 17s. 9d. . Phillip J. Keszler was fined £os., and costs 255., in default seven days' imprisonment, on a charge of waylaying molesting his wife whilst a separation ■order was in force. <, Mr.-„H. ,]?i!o'Leary 'appeared for the plaintiff, anil Mr. O'ltegnn for tho defendant. Ed. Murphy and John Armstrong wore jointly charged with using threatening behaviour in Cuba Street. Both pleaded not guilty. They were ordered to pay 9s. each, Court costs. For cruelly ill-treating a horse, David Martin was fined 205., and ordered fx) pay costs amounting to <£3 Is.

THE CAR AT THE OPERA HOUSE. Percy Withers was charged with, refusing to move a motor-car from in front of the Opera House, after reasonable direction by a constable, and was fined 55., and ordered to pay costs amounting to 255. Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, who appeared for the defendant, contended that his client's motor-car was not in front of any of the entrances of the Opera House, but was Teally in.front of Fanning's land agency premises. Police evidence was given to the effect that the defendant's motor-car created a block in the traffic, as the people leaving the theatre were unable to. get the free access to the road and trams necessary. STREET-CROSSING CASES. Thos. Burborough was fined 55., with Court costs 75., for driving across a street inter-section at other than a walking pace. Walter Dixon, John Holland, Frank' Low, and Wm, Morris, for similar offences, were each fined 10s.; Wm. M'C'lelland and Richard J. Marshall were fined 55., with Court costs 7s.

OTHER BY-LAW CASES. For allowing a horso to wander, W. Newall was fined 55., with Court costs 7s. Herbert Johnston and Alex. Strong were each ordered to pay Court costs 7s. for riding cycles after dark without lights. John Wallace, wlio drove a vehiole at night time without a light, .was fined 103., and Court costs 7s. For driving, instead of leading, a horse ovor a crossing upon a footway, Lewis Domb was ordered to pay Court costs amounting to 7a. A fine of 10s. was imposed upon James Craig, who left' a vehiolo in a oily street unattended. For driving vohicles round street corners at other than a walking pace, tho following offonders were dealt with:—Wm. Howe, fined 10s.; Georgo A. Bentley, fined 10s.; John M'Gce, Thos. M'Kelvio, J. Nicholson, Oscar Swansson, and Chas. Tolley. were all fined ss. each; and Percy Speers and Bert. Walker wcro oach ordered to pay Court costs. A fine of 10s. was imposed upon P. J. Crawford for being in chargo of a vehicle plying for hire without having at first obtained a license.