CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4214, 29 August 1876, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Tuesday, Atrausr 29. (Before A. Mercer, Esq., and J. Black, Esq., J.PV)

Drunkenness.—John Webb was fined ss, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Disokdekly Conduct. Hugh M'Nair, James Cunningham, and David M'Nab were charged with having on the 19th inst. been drunk and disorderly in George and King streets.—Mr Aldridge defended.—lnspector Mallard said he would like to leave the word "drunk" out of the information, but the Ordinance precluded him from doing so. The police did not so much complain of the drunkenness as of disorderly conduct. -Mr Aldridge submitted that there was no case. If the police were not going to prove what they charged the men with, there sould be no offence. The charge was apparently unfounded, and he had some half-dozen witnesses present who would prove that the men were sober.—lnspector Mallard explained that defendants had been to the annual supper of Messrs Marshall and Copeland, and at the time of the alleged offence were returning home.—Sergeant Hanlon said that at 3ja.ni. on the 19th inst. his attention was attracted by a noise of

nnging in George street It oontinned along George, Prederick,,and King street*. When near the-Captain Cook >flotel, King street, witness "came up wit& between twenty and tiiirty men, coming along in half-dozens. They were singing, and one was toying to play the flute.—(Laughter). Witness requested them to discontinue the noise, but they got more uproarious: Several Kraons put their heads out of the window, ing disturbed from their rest, and one person wanted to know where the police were, whereupon witness replied, "They are here!" (Renewed laughter).—Mr Aldridge- Baid defendants were merely having a little jollity* unconscious that they were doing wrong.—The Bench dismissed the case, hoping that the defendants would not misconduct themselves so again. Unrbgisterbd Dog.—A charge against James- Peat, of, -Cavershamj was remanded till to-morrow to enable defendant to call a Mrs Lawson to prove the registry of the dog. the Bench.) Alleged Unnatural Offence.—Chas. Edward Haughton was charged on remand with haying within the last six months past at Wellington attempted to commit ah unnatural offence.—lnspector Mallard: Since that information was sworn another information has been laid, and I would ask to substitute the second information for,the first one. ' The information received, ftrigiginally from Wellington was somewhat ambiguous, and further particulars 'were sought. These particulars Have since been obtained. The application to substitute the amended information was granted, and ac« cused was then charged with having, on or about August 23, at Wellington, attempted ' to commit an unnatural offence on the person of .one William Wilson.**-Inspector Mallard: Then, on that sworn information, I would ask fer a remand to Wellington. There are two courses open to your Worships to remand at once upon that Bworn information, or if you think fit to wait for the arrival of the original warrant, which I have no doubt will be down to-night. If you decide to accede to my request in granting a remand on the sworn information, I would ask that it be for the longest time possible—eight days; accused then to appear in Wellington.—Mr Mercer (after consultation with his colleagues): I think the better course would be to remand the case to Wellington. —Mr Black: Supposing you get no opportunity of forwarding accused to Wellington within eight days, -what then would be the consequence ?—lnspector Mallard: Then he will have to be brought up here again, and further remanded to Wellington. I may state that an officer is now coming down from Wellington with the warrant.—Mr Mouat asked that bail be allowed. —Mr Mercer Y-The Bench, after thinking the matter over, consider that the V" should be doubled. —lnspector Mallard: Obviously the police oppose bail.—• In answer to the Bench as to the power of the police to oppose bail in such cases, Mr Mouat said that the polices had power to object to bail in every case, but it was a matter entirely within their Worships' discretion.—lnspector Mallard: I quite agree with what Mr Mouat says. The matter is entirely within your Worships' discretion, and is simply one of responsibility.—The Bench were willing to accept bail in accused's own recognisance of L4OO, and two sureties' of L2OO each, which were immediately forthcoming.—Before leaving the Court Mr Mouat explained that he did not appear professionally on the accused's behalf. Whether the proceedings were taken regularly or not was entirely at the peril of the prosecutor.