MAYOR’S COURT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2366, 1 November 1870, Page 2

MAYOR’S COURT.

This Day. (Before bis Worship the Mayor, and W. H. Reynolds, Esq., J.P.) illegally on the premises. John M'Leod was charged with being illegally on the premises of John Coleban, to wit, the Junction Hotel, Port Chalmers road, on the morning of the 30th ult. It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner and a man named Smith, both passengers by the J. N. Fleming, went to the hotel on the morning in question, and after being supplied with liquor went away. Some time afterwards the landlord was awoke by hearing a noise in one of the rooms, and proceeding to it he found the m n iu it, having forced open the door. The noise was occasioned by the destruction of a quantity of glass by them. Smith was arrested in Port Chalmers, and on being brought before the Bench there the criminal charge was dismissed, and he was fined for the damage done. His Worship intimated that it was the opinion of the Bench that the case was one more for summons for damage done to property than for being illegally on the premises. There was no felonious intent on the part of the accused, but at the same time his conduct bad been unjustifiable and improper, and not very correct for a new arrival. He was discharged with a caution. SOLICITING ALMS. Henry Simpson alias James Sweating, who described himself as a law stationer, was charged with this offence. Mr Webb, secretary to the Benevolent Institution, stated that when in company with some gentlemen iu Princes street yesterday, the prisoner accosted one of them, and begged sixpence from him. At first the matter was treated as a joke, but not so when he became pressing and stated that he was hard up, The gentleman appealed to refused to give him anything and he went away. Witness afterwards learned that prisoner subsequently accosted several ladies for a similar purpose; be followed him to Messrs Craig and Gillies’ shop, where he was soliciting alms, and warned him against continuing the practice. He promised not to annoy any one again, but almost immediately be accosted a person near the Atbeiueum. Witness had received numerous complaints against the prisoner. Two other witnesses spoke as to this habit of the prisoner. The Town Belt Ranger said he had known the prisoner for two years, and during that time although frequently cautioned he continued to accost persons; once when charity was given him he spent the money in the nearest public house. Sergeant Thomson testified as to complaints made against the prisoner, who was greatly in the habit of annoying young ladies. Prisoner admitted the offence, and appealed to be let off, on account of bis wife and young family, and promised to leave Dunedin at once if discharged. Mr Bain said the prisoner’s wife was a very hardworking woman, Avho had a great struggle to keep her children from want. Prisoner often took the best part of her earnings His Worship did not attach much importance to the prisoner’s plea, as by his conduct he showed he could not care much for his family. The Bench would give him a chance, but he was to understand if he were again brought up he would receive the full penalty of the law. He was discharged with a caution. informations under the bye-laws. John Luff, for allowing a cow tq wander was fined 5s and costs, and a charge of allowing a horse to stray preferred against John Reid was dismissed with a caution.