COURT RECORDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 34, 9 February 1901, Page 2

COURT RECORDS.

The criminal records compiled at \ the Gisborne Magistrate’s Court by Mr Williams are now complete. The records for last year, we regret to say, show a considerable increase on those of the previous year; but it must bo borne in mind that the population has increased,- and that the exciting events of last year had a tendency to upset' the even tenor of people’s ways. Last year 289 persons were brought before the Court, either by arrest or summons; in the previous year the number was 265. One pleasing feature of the records is that while the total number has increased, the number of females brought before the Court decreased from 25 to 13. The total convictions last year were 234, as against 191 in the previous year. Six males were committed for trial, as against 10 in the previous year. Niney-two males and 4 females paid fines that had been imposed last year, while 23 males and 2 females failed to pay fines and were sent to gaol; 23 males and 1 female were peremptorily imprisoned. Five males were whipped; the explanation of this is that some incorrigible small boys who had been developing a wrongful tendency had been submitted to the corrective of the birch. Six males were bound over to keep the peace. Thirty-five orders, mainly prohibition, were made against 30 males and 5 females. Thirty-six males were convicted, cautioned and discharged. There were 13 cases of assaults, 1 being committed for trial and 11 summarily convicted. There was one case of attempted suicide, a male. There were two two charges of false pretences, both being dismissed. There were 23 charges of theft, 3 being committed for trial and 12 being summarily convicted. The charges of drunkenness numbered 102, as against 88 in the previous year. Of the number last year 6 were females ; of the total 38 paid fines, 22 were imprisoned in lieu of fines, and 6 were peremptorily imprisoned; in three cases orders were made for the offenders to come up for sentence when called upon, and 32 were discharged with a caution. There were hi all 35 applications for prohibition orders, and 28 orders were made; in the previous year there were only 8 prohibition orders, so that last year the licensees must have had their memories tested in trying to discriminate between persons who were prohibited and persons who were not. Last year there were 11 charges of breaches of the Licensing Act, and there were seven convictions. These convictions, it should perhaps be explained, are mainly against others than licensees. There were 8 charges of using obscene language and 3 convictions. Seven males and three females were arrested on charges of lunacy, 6 males and 3 females were committed. In the previous year there were 5 cases of lunacy. Under the Stock Act there were 6 convictions for keeping sheep infected with lice. Four persons were charged and pleaded guilty of failing to register births within the required period.. Eight people were summoned for non-attendance of their children at school, and there were 5 convictions. There were 15 convictions and fines for the riding of bicycles on footpaths. There was one case under the Shops Act, and a fine was imposed. There were two charges of cruelty to annuals, and a fine was imposed in one case. There were six charges of threatening behavior, and four convictions. Such charges as drunkenness do not imply that the number of individuals corresponds with the number of charges, for it usually happens that a few who cannot resist the temptation to drink make frequent appearances before the Court and thus help to swell the record. _ —