LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2132, 25 April 1914, Page 14

LAW REPORTS.

LOWER COURT.

NOTORIOUS AUSTRALIAN PAIR

HAUNT THE RACES

SHADOWED SINCE THEY LANDED

Thero figured in the dock at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday a sample of the immigrants that New Zealand is sometimes burdened with from Australia. 'i'heso were two Australian criminals. Mr. D. G. A. Coopor, S.M., was on the bench, and Chief-Detective liroberg prosecuted.. The accused wero Harry Wilson, alias William (Harris, alias Alfred O'Brien, alias Henry Marion, and Joseph Lawson, alias Rawson, alias Long. Both pleaded guilty to being _ rogues and vagabonds, and that, being suspected persons, they did frequent a public place (to wit tho Trent'ham racccourso) with felonious intent-. Chief-Detective Broberg stated that the accused; who were professional pickpockets, arrived in Wellington, somi weeks ago, and were at once recognised by tho local detective force. They went on to Auckland for tho races, and subsequently (in pursuance of tlieir calling) proceeded to the Feilding racos. Then they caiiie on to Wellington on Thursday last. Tho pair went to the Trentham races, travelling on separate trains, and acting as though they wore complete strangers to each other. They were, however, noticed by Detectives, Andrew's and Dcmpsey, who kept them under observation. Shadowed by tho detectives, they dodged in and amongst the' erowd where it was thickest, pickihg their marks with a view to subsequent operations. On several occasions this pair of "strangers" met in a secluded spot-under some, trees, where they conversed in a very suspicious manner. Both were subsequently arrested by tho detectives. Accused Lawson interjected that ho had been working for the last eighteen months, and that he .had intended leaving Now Zealand by tho Sydney boat yesterday. He.then held but his hands, remarking that they would show that ho had been working. Tho Chief-Detective went on to stato that tho accused were Australian "crooks" of the worst type, both having a long list of previous convictions. Lawson had commenced his criminal career in Sydney-in 1890; and, since then, had served various lengthy terms of imprisonment for theft from persons, and other crimes. -Wilson had born a similar bad record since 1889. He had served two sentences of five years' imprisonment. The Magistrate sent both' accused to gaol for six months. As Wilson left the dock he said, "We give notice of appeal, your Worship."

• THE DARKER SIDE. ' DEPLORABLE REVELATIONS. . The darker side of life, in one of its darkest senses, was revealed in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, when Emily Johnson, Edith Florida M'Kenzio, Georgo Leonard Bull, and Mee Hung were jointly charged with being idle and disorderly persons, who consorted 1 with .persons of ill-repute. Emily Johnson was further charged with keeping a house of •ill-fame, and Florida M'Kenzie, Bull, and Mee Hung were jointly charged with assisting in tho management of a house of ill-fame. Mr. J. F. W. Dickson appeared for tho accused, and entered pleas of guilty to the first charge, and not guilty to the second charges. On being asked to open tho case, Mr. Dickson stated that Bull was a plumber by occupation, and had been working during the months of January and February. Meo Hung made a living out of gardening and. laundry work, and probably indulged in a little gambling. The speaker asked for leniency, and stated that there was work waiting for the Chinese at Otaki. Inspector Hendrcy stated that the two unfortunate women had been living with tho two men, who relied for a living on tho earnings of tho women. "These filthy men—^who are more like animals— are living on these unfortunate women," continued the inspector, "and your Worship is asked for leniency, and to burden Otaki with one of them! Hung has never- done any work, and is a bludger and a gambler. I say thero is no power under the Act to adequately punish these men. If your Worship had full power you would send them to the city destructor!" _ ■ " His Worship said the case had disclosed a most deplorablo and disgraceful stato of affairs. It would bo wrong to let such men out. They would bo sent to gaol for three months each. « Inspector Hendrey then withdrew the charge of keeping a house of ill-fame, and suggested that the womeii should be sent to the Salvation Army Home for twelvo months. The women asserted that they would not stay there, but his Worship ordered them to be placed in the homo for a period of twelve months.

WHARF DICTION. THE RANCOUR OF THE STRIKE. Two cases arising out of the recont strike were heard. In 0110 case, Joseph Morris, wharf labourer,. who was defended by Mr. H. 1\ O'Leary, pleaded not guilty to a charge of using certain language to William Aubrey. lu tho courso of evidence, the informant stated that ho was a wharf labourer. On tho morning of March 10 the accused had addressed him thus: "See that thing (meaning witness), he has- done two years ifor horse-stealing; ho is a chicken stealer, and is tho worst —- character on tho wharf." Mr. O'Loary: Is this your first appearance in language cases? Witness: No; the second. Have you done time beforoP—"You mind your own business. Have you douo time? —"I will not answer." ; Havo you done time? —"No, not for stealing." Police-Inspector Hendrey called further witnesses, who supported tho ovidenco given by tho informant. Mr. O'Loary then called the defendant Morris, who denied addressing tho informant in tho languago complained of. Ho said that ho was talking to a number of men. on tho wharf, and had mentioned that thero wero wharf labourers who had dono timo for horsestealing, also ex-poliromen, burglars, chicken-stealcrs, and others. Tho words which ho had used had not been addressed to anyone in particular—ho had moroly used them in a general conversation. Inspector Hendrey: Did. you say that Aubrey stole chickens? Witness: No. Mr. O'Leary, to Inspector Hendrey: You don't know what "chicken-steal-crs" aro. (Laughter.) Tho Magistrate said that ho was satislied that Morris had used tho languago complained of. Ho would bo line'. £3, with costs £2 155., in default ono month's imprisonment. The second case was against George Morris, who was charged with using objectionable language to Frederick Smith, with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr. J. J. M'Grath defended. | His AYorsliiu

dismissed tho information. Costs £5 ss. wero allowed, as against the informant.

OTHER CASES. THE LIGHT-FINGERED GERMAN. . Franz .Scliiol, a native of Germany, pleaded guilty to charges of having stolen an alarm clock and n, bolt, valued at 10s., tho property of Frederick Conda.ll, and a quantity of wearing apparel, valued at £2 10s. 6d., tho property of Harold Olsen and AVm. Browne. According to Chiof-Deteetiv© Broherg the wearing apparel was stolen fiom the steamer Himitaiigi, and tho alarm clock and belt from tho house at which C«ndail boarded. Tho accused was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment.

NON-PAYERS ON MOANA. 'Alexander Joau and Michael Bradj pleaded guilty to a charge of having travelled on the steamer Stoaiia between Sydney and Wellington, and having ovaded the payment of fares. Each wero fiued tho amount of the fare, £4 45., in default seven days' imprisonment.

THEFT IN PRIVATE HOTEL. A sontcnco of seven days' imprisonment was imposed upon Michael Allen, who was charged with stealing a watch and chain and a cap valued in all at £1 16s. Od.j tho property of William Williams._ The evidence was to the effect-that defendant had entered Williams's room at tho Egmont Private Hotel and. taken the property mentioned. . Tho defendant denied this, and stated that ho had purchased the hat in: the street. Ho did not. know anything about the watch and chain,

MISCELLANEOUS. Herman Henry Grell pleaded guilty to stealing 771b. of grapes, valued nt £3 175., the property of some'person un-* known, and was. remanded till this morning for sentence. Richard Turnbull and Elizabeth Murray were each fined £2, in 'default ono month's imprisonment, for committing a certain act. Eight first offenders for, insobriety were convicted and discharged. For failing to attend Territorial parades, fines' of 10s. and costs were inflicted on Louis 'Becker, .John Carroll. Edward Frank King, Leslie Kelly, and William Languod, while a youth named Foley was fined 15s. and costs; Phillip Scoringo was fined ss. and costs, as were also Albert William Dixon, A. Harris, and William Scott for obstructing a parade. Cyril Cummins, William Hutcheson, George David Lundonj Charles' Albert Sparkes, afjd Charles Sidney Smith wero convicted and discharged for failing to attend parades. The alternative in each case whero a fine.was imposed was at '48 lmurs' military detention.