CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4301, 8 December 1876, Page 1

CITY POLICE COURT.

Thursday, December 7. (Before His Worship the Mayor and J. Locan. Esq., J.P.) * Drunkenness,—William Jones and John Bairns were each fined ss, or twenty-four hours' imprisonment for this offence. A Hapi>y Family.—Three little bojs, named William, Robert, and Maurice Edwaids, aged respectively abLut seven, five, and four years, were brought before the Bench as destitute children. Constable Shirley deposed that the children were frequently left out in the streets to wander at will; the motuer lived in Hanover street, and the father was a man of loose and d unken habits.—The father said that he did the best he could to maintain his children, but it-was no light matter; for he had come home often and found his wife drunk, and had to prepare supper for himself and the children was. The now living apart from his wife on account of her intemperate habits.—Mrs Edwards, on being questioned, said that her spouse was a confirmed drunkard, and for two years had neglected to provide for his children.—The Magistrate said it was monstrous to think of sending fine children like those to thelndustrial School, and asked the parents if they could not manage to maintain them decently.—Edwards : I dpn't see that is possible;. my wife and I are living apart and do not speak to each other; she (Mrs Edwards) met me in the street the other day and gave me a "lambing."—Mrs Edwards : I didn't; I only just slapped your face because you -would not speak to me. -Edwards : You know you did, my dear.—The Bench strongly advised the parents to join the Good Templars, and to come to some arrangement to live together like decent people and take the little fellows home again, pointing out that if they were" sent to the Industrial School the father would have to support them. The case would be dismissed for the present. A Cabman in Trouble.—Charles Everett was charged that on the evening of the 30th ultimo he neglected to drive a passenger to his destination, after having agreed to do so. Mr Bathgate appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.—Complainant (Henry Jones) stated that on the evening of St. Andrew's Day he asked accused if he was going to drive to Caversham. He said "Yes"; but he (complainant) was kept waiting about twenty minutes, to oblige the cabman, and then, instead of driving to Caversham, accused wanted to go down the Anderson's Bay road.—Thomas Bracken gave evidence as to the engagement ef the cab.—Henry Prince said that on the night in question he engaged defendant to drive hiui to his home near the Gasworks that he heard an argument going on on the outside of tlie cab when they got to the junction of the Caversham and Anderson's Bay roads; and that he recommended the cabman to give his number, as desired, to save any bother. Mr Bathgate submitted that there was uo agreement to tafee complainant to Caversham withui a certain time ; that there was ! no route to Caversham prescribed by the I bye-laws, and consequently the information J must be dismissed.—After hearing further | evidence, the Bench said they were of j opinion that there had been a breach" of j agreement, and fined accused 10s and costs. jMr Bathgate: I wish the fine was a little more, and then we could settle the case in the Supreme Court.—The Mayor remarked that the Bench was perfectly satisfied as to the affair, notwithstanding Mr Bathgate'a opinion.

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