MAYOR’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3124, 22 February 1873, Page 2

MAYOR’S COURT.

This Day. (Before his Worship the May or and J. Black, Esq , J P. ) Drunkenness. John M‘ Donald was fined ss, with the usual alt >rnative. Obsce.'E Language. —Thomas Jerrom, one of Brogden’s immigrants, pleaded in extenuation of his crime, that, having been without beer for a considerable time, it bad overcome him and caused him to use the language complained of. The arresting constable said he had repeatedly warned accused before taking him in charge, but had received the answer that they could do as they liked in the homo country, and would do the same out hero, as it was a free country —At the instigation of the police the decision was reserved till the whole of the cases had been heard.

Resisting the Polios —John Wheeler was then charged with attempting to rescue the last prisoner from legal custody. —Constable Rom ey said that, while attempting to t ike Jerrom to the Station, prisoner tried to rescue him, and by shouts encouraged the other immig ants, to the number of about a hundred, to do the same. Had it, not been for Captain Copeland and another gentleman, iroiu Oamaru, he (witness) would have been seriously maltreated. Pr'souer’s conduct, however, was not so reprehensible as that of the other men.—Charles Dancer a;d George Humphries were charged with a similar offence. Botii prisoners pleaded ignorance. Constable Rooney said that Dancer struck him (witness) and tore his uniform, though be was not charged with that offence. He also made himseif very conspicuous by inciting the mob to attack the place. Constable Anders *n and Sergeant Bevan gave evidence as to the disturbance made by Humphries, and said they considered his conduct as disgraceful as that of the prisoner Lancer., —Wm. Stephens was charged with breaking a number of window’s in the Immigration Depot. Sub.-Inspector Mallard said that after the prisoner Wheeler had been arrested, be went down to the depOt and found there was a great disturbance there While inside, attempting to keep the men quiet, the prisoner now in the box oommehp"J breaking the windows, and was then taken in charge. The other men followed him, yelling and hooting. He wished it to ,b« impressed ou the Bench that the police had acted with great forbearance, and had not locked any one up till compelled to do so.—The Bench considered the conduct of the men most disorderly, and felt it their duty to make it au example to the other immigrants by indicting severe fines. After feeing warned that the law must be vindicated and upheld as well here as in the home c uiutry, they fined Dancer and Humphries L 5 each, in default one mouth’s imprisonment; Wheeler, 40s, or seven < ays ; Stephens, 20s, or three days, and an additional J.os, or tfiree days, for the damage done ; and Jerrom, 2ds, or three days.