CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3783, 9 April 1875, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Friday, 9. (Before H. Bastings, Esq., and ‘O. Mercer, Esq., JP.’b.)

, Drunkenness. —Mary Doff us was fined 40s, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment ; Helen Burton, 10a or forty-eight hours’. An Overplus of Passengers. —Leonard Duncan was charged by the {dice with having, at Green Island, on March 20, conveyed twenty passengers in his licensed carriage, being in excess of the number for which he was duly licensed—viz., fifteen.—Mr Bathgate, for the defence, admitted that there were more than fifteen persons in the coach on the day in question, which was about tbe race time. Two or three of the numbar, however, were not strictly passengers, as they jumped into the coach and did not pay. The coach was a larger and stronger one than others allowed to carry twenty passengers, and it might, with perfect safety, be allowed to carry that number. The offence was admitted, but with extenuating circumstances.—The Bench could not see what the extenuating circumstances were, for, according to what counsel for the defence had stated, a number of men jumped into the carriage and did net pay, but were allowed to ride, to the inconvenience of the other passengers. Defendant was fined 10s and costs.

Assault. —Richard Beattie, charged witk assaulting John Dennison on April 6, was fined 10s and costa, in default twenty-four hours’imprisonment. Mr E Cook defended. Receiving Stolen Property. Francis Crowder was charged with having, on March 17, in his possession two brass washers and one brass gate tor fender, which metal had been stolen, and defendant was called upon on information to prove how he came by the articles.—lnspector Mallard asked, as this case was the first of the kind heard here, that he be allowed to state why the case was brought before the Court. The value of the property alleged^to been stolen was very small, but the principle involved was a very large one. The community was daily increasing in population, and unless a check was put on storekeepers there was no knowing where the matter of their purchasing stolen property would end. Stolen metal was found in the possession of defendant, who was a marine storekeeper, and under the fourth section of the Act he asked that defendant should be called upon to show how he became possessed of it.—Mr Joyce contended that Inspector Mallard had put the case out of Oourt, as proceedings should have been taken by way of complaint, and not by information, as by that course defendant could not go into the box and give evidence.—The Bench considered the objection fatal, and dismissed the case, giving permission to the police to lay a fresh complaint immediately.—lnspector Mallard said that the police were in possession of the metal, and he did not intend to let the matter drop. .Vagrancy.— Margaret Bradshaw, Elisabeth, Powell, and Agnes Antone, severally charged with having no lawful means of support, were sent to gaol for three r^onths.