CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4205, 18 August 1876, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Friday, August 18. (Before C. S. Reeves, Esq., and J. Hislop, Esq., J.P.’s).

Drunkenness. Catherine Rooney was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Machin’s right-of-way this morning. The Bench remarked that this offence was becoming chronic with her, and imposed a fine of 40s, or in default of payment, fourteen days’ imprisonment, notwithstanding her statement—which are usual with characters of her sort—that she would go up-country immediately if their Worships would dismiss her this time. Thomas Beaumont, on bail, was fined 20s, in default, forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. Jane Uhild was dismissed.

Petty Theft. —John Strain was charged, on tho information of Wm. Carey, with stealing a quantity of braid, valued at ss. The informant stated that he was a hawker and owned a small shop in Frederick street. While at breakfast this morning, about a quarter to nine, in a room behind the shop, he observed through a small window the accused come in, walk silently up to the counter, and take the braid out of a drawer. Witness went into the room and prevented accused’s escape by locking the door.— Carey’s brother gave similar testimony.— Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was indefatigable in endeavoring to show their Worships that he was incapable of committing a theft, .and that he went into the shop to purchase a belt.—He was sentenced to six nays’ imprisonment, with hard labor.

An Unfounded Charge of Sly Grog Selling. —Adam Forsyth was charged with having permitted to be sold in his store at Woodhaugh, near the Water of Leith, one bottle of porter. Mr Bathgate appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty.— From the evidence of Walter Hanscombe and Henry Fryer, revenue constables, together with what was elicited in crossexamination, the following appeared to be the case:—On August 12, the two abovenamed revenue constables,- in the prosecution of their duties, visited the store of Mr Forsyth. They commenced by asking Mrs Forsyth if there was a chance of obtaining employment at the quarry, which is situated nearly opposite the house, and ultimately inquired if they could be provided with something to eat. Mrs Forsyth took them into her back room and supplied them with bread, butter, cheese, and pickles, and, after they had demolished, a considerable quantity of these articles of diet, they began to throw out insinuations as that ; “it was rather dry-tack,” “ that the cheese was sticking in their throats,” &c. Mrs Forsyth happened to have a bottle of porter in the house, which she' had bought for her own use, and which she opened for them on condition that they would say nothing to the quarrymen about getting the drink. They then asked how much they had to pay, and Mrs Forsyth asked the reasonable amount of Is 6d for their meal. The time when the constables paid this visit was about a quarter to one, and when Fryer was asked by the Bench if he was very hungry at that time on the day in question, he replied in the affirmative, saying he had not tasted anything since eight that morning. —lnspector Mallard said that, according to the Act of 1873, a violation of the Ordinance was committed, although food was sold with the' drink.—Mr Bathgate then addressed the Bench upon the charge, and stated that he had two witnesses to produce if it was thought necessary. He concluded by saying that it was one of those eases in which anyone, if they were a little soft-hearted, might be brought up for sly-grog selling.—Their Worships stated although the section of the Act had not been earned out to the letter they had no hesitation in dismissing the case.