CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3280, 25 August 1873, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Monday, August 25. (Before His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs J. Brown and A. J. Burns, £sq., J.P.’s.)

Drunkenness. — Jane Carney, having been in the lock-up since Saturday night, was discharged with a caution ; Edward Fraser and William H. Law (first offences) were each fined ss, with the usual alternative. Sabbath-breakers. Three young men, named David Spence, John Manderson, and James M'Lauchlin, were charging with using threatening language, at Green Island, on Sunday, August 17, whereby a breach of the peace—viz., fighting, was occasioned. —Mr Wilson 'appeared for Manderson, and ivCLahoblin ail'd Spence was not defended Andfeiw' Macrorie,' ioach-driver to Mr Pollock, deposed : While in his house, on Sunday evening befoie last, he heard a disturbance. He proceeded to the place, and found Manderson and Spence fighting. M‘Luughliu tried to trip Spence, and in doing so the three fell. It was between six and seven o’clock, —James Macrorie saw Manderson and Spence fighting on the night in question, in the middle of the street. Spence laid' down L 5, saying hes would bet that amount that he was the victor. —By Mr Wilson: Olarksqn was there at the beginning of the row, but “ skedaddled’-’ shortly qfter-war-is.—T. Bitcbard, cabman, was employed by Spence to drive him to Urecn island. At Eagerty’s Hotel they picked up Manderson and others.—By Mr Wilson : Did cot see much of the row. Finding it was getting too hot for him, he cleared out. Saw Spencer throw down some money, which Clarkson picked up. (Mr Wilson, triumphantly : And that gentleman is not here.) This being the case for the police, Mr Wilson contended there was no case. They were charged with using threatening language, but not ono word had been given in evidence which could be construed into a threat. He called Joseph Burgess, who stated that the cause of the quarrel was that Ritchards had invited them to jump into the cab, and afterwards asked them for the fare.—Peter M‘Laughiin, miner, and father to one of the defendants, said that be saw Manderson and Spence fighting. In answer to the Bench he stated that his son had his coat off, but as they lived near the spot he might have been shifting.— John

Mwideraon deposed: Spence got a bottle of whiskey at hagerty’s, which one M'Ghee took from his pocket. Spence then knocked M'Ghee down, and took the whiskey from him; and also struck witness, challenging him to fight for Ls. D. Spence stated that be engaged a cab to take him out to Green Island. Meeting a young lady living out there, be asked her to jump in, which she did. He got out at Eagerty’s to have a drink. During the row Manderson struck him with a stone, saying he would be the murderer of him. All the witnesses ho had hoard speak bad told lies.—The Bench thought it was disgraceful that a number of young men should act on the Sabbath as these had. From the evidence it appeared to them the defendants were equally blameable. They would each be fiued 20a and costs, with the option of three days’ imprisonment.