CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3282, 27 August 1873, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, August 27. (Before His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs J. Brown and A. J. Burns, £eq., J.P.’s.)

Drunkenness. William Collins was fined ss, with the option of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment.

Wife Desertion. — Walter Thomson was charged wiih having, on the 19tb July, deserted his wife and four children. —Margaret Thomson said she did not wish to bring her husband up for desertion. When he wont away she had taken her children to th.e Benevolent Asylum, in the hope of their being admitted. The authorities refused to take them, and she had to go to Mr Fulton, R. M., about them. (Here the witness began sobbing, and did not give further evidence.) —Sub-Inspector Mallard explained that she had applied to the Benevolent Institution, and then threw herself on the authorities. He could understand the matter. She was afraid to take out a warrant for the arrest of her husband for fear he would ill-treat her. She had stated to him (the Sub-Inspector) that she was without means of support; in fact, she did not possess a blanket. —Defendant said that he sent his wife a draft for L 8 in April last ; but as be did' not hear from her, ho never sent her any' more. In answer to the Bench, he stated that his average w ekly wages were 255, together with board.—An order was made that he pay 20a a week for his wife and children’s support —Sub-Inspector Mallard said he had an application to make under the 120 th section of the “ Justicesjof the Peace Act.” The Bench were enabled to make an order under that section that the money paid by the Government be refunded. The expenses incurred in bringing the defendant from Teriofc were LI 17s or LI 18s, and, when apprehended. L 5 was found on him. —Ihe Bench thought that the Government should not have to pay the expenses incurred in bringing a man down from the country on warrant, and ordered that the expenses be taken from the money found on defendant. Gambling.—George M‘Gavin, landlord ef the White Horae Hotel, was charged with allowing gambling to take place in his licensed hotel.—Thos. Inglia deposed : Was in defendant’s house on Saturday, May 17, after 11 o’clock. Had a game of cards while there, played “Yankee grab,” and some money charged hands on the result of the game. There were three or four persons in the room, but could not tell who they were. Could not tell whether the cards were in the room before we went in. Played grab for money.—Geo. Crawshaw, wheelwright, was in M‘Gavin’s Hotel about 10.30 p.m. on the night in question. Never saw cards or “ yankea grab” played, though I was in Inglis’s company. If Inglis swore they were ■ playing he‘ swore falsely, (Sub-Inspeetor Mallard said either the witness or Inglis were telling falsehoods. He would therefore ask power to examino him somewhat adversely, although he was one of his witness’s.)) When M‘Gavm brought in the drinks, Inglis had the cards in his hand, but they were hidden from M’Gavin’s view. I then went out. After returning I saw the cards thrown on the floor, Muir and Inglis were the only persons in the room. Did not swear that I saw them thrown on the floor. Never played cards or threw grab that night, Have I

“shaken ’* for a “bob ” and shout, at “Yankee Crab.” —By defendant 5 Whop you came into the room the second time you told them to go, as you would not allow card-play-ing. You also refused us the dice-bor. —Alex. Muir: Was at M‘Garin’s on the night of the 17th of May, Card-playing for money was going on in my presence. We sent for the cards. By the Bench : When M‘Q&vincarae in, Inglis whipped the cards off the table as quick as lightning.—Sub-Inspector Mallard : That, your Worships, is the case, I can state, from inquiries made by the Police, that what M‘Gavin says is true. The reason, the Police brought the case was that it had been ruled in this Court.that the defendant could be fined although he was not present ; and of course M ‘Gavin could not he dealt nllh differently to any o her victualler. I admit that bo ordered the men out as soon as he knew they were playing cards —Defendant said he ordered them out as soon as he knew they were playing. They called for drinks, and were perfectly quiet, so that h© had no reason to suspect they were at cards. —The Bench said that it appeared, according to the Act, that they could not dismiss the case. As defendant had prevented the playing as soon as be saw it, they would fine him in the lowest penalty, viz,, Is and costs. Infringements op tub Bye-Laws.— Francis B'ack was charged with driving a waggon across the and damaging it to th« extent of L2. Inspector Nimon called a Mr Mackenzie, who said that 10s would cover the damage. Defendant was ordered to pay that amount, and 5s costs.— John Perriman, depositing refuse on a piece of vacant ground in Jetty street, 10s and costs ; James Smith, plying for hire in Manse street, Cs and costs ; John H. Jewitt, allowing the chimney of his house to be on fire, was dismissed on payment of costs. A charge against H. H. Moody, of neglecting to clean his premises in Jetty street, was dismissed, as defendant’s lease does not commence till the Ist September, and as be promised that the nuisance should be remedied when he took possession.