POLICE COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2229, 20 April 1881, Page 3

POLICE COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, April 20. [Before W. H. Pilliett and R. Westenra, Eaqrs., J.P.’s.] DRUNKENNESS. —Francis Howden was for this offence fined 10s. For first offence three men were fined 5s each. William Killday, a licensed carrier, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and making a violent assault on Joseph Horrigan, a boy of sixteen years of age, who had taken a free ride from the races in prisoner’s trap. Three passers-by who saw the assault, arrested the prisoner, and brought him bound to tho police depot, gave evidence. He was fined 50s and costs and expense of two witnesses, or ten days’ imprisonment for tho nssault, and 5s for being drunk and disorderly. _ Vaqbanoy.—John Hinks, alias Crawley, alias Hicks, was charged with having no visible means of living. He had given himself up to tho police as being unable to find any employment. The police said prisoner had been a long time without work. He was a gunsmith, and said he wanted to go to gaol to save himself from getting into trouble, Tlje Bench said they thought this was an extraordinary case. Here was a man, seemingly in "good health and apparently sane, who came to the police and applied to be incarcerated. If ho received a sentence, what would happen after he had served it ? Did the man wish to live in gaol ? Sergeant Morioo said he could not answer that question ; the man was clearly one of those for whom tho Vagrant Act was framed. Prisoner was remanded for one week to allow of further enquiries being made. Laboeny prom the Pbbbon.—W. H. Tucker was brought up for stealing 7s 6d from William O'Connor. Prosecutor being drunk and a witness having failed to appear, tho prisoner was remanded till Friday next. Mr Loughrey appeared for prisoner, who was allowed bail, himself in £2O and two sureties in £lO each. Prosecutor was sentenced to twenty-four hours’ imprisonment for being drunk.

Wilful Dbstbuction of Pbopeett.— Jas. Patrick, alias Wilson, was charged with destroying a glass case, containing fancy goods, on a stall belonging to Wm. Johnston, at the racecourse on Tuesday, and with resisting Constable Hayes, who arrested him, also with tearing the constable’s clothes. The evidence showed that the damage had been done at the stall in the most wanton manner, and his behaviour had been very violent. Ho was not drunk at the time Prisoner made no defence. He was ordered to pay damages to Mrs Johnston, £3, and to Constable Hayes, £l. He was also fined £5, or in default to undergo six weeks’ imprisonment, with hard labor. —Fred. Hubbard was charged with breaking a window on Tuesday night, in the store of Hugh McGregor, a storekeeper at Kaiapoi. Prisoner pleaded guilty. The constable who arrested him’, found in his possession throe tumblers, which proved to bo the property of Ohas. Amyes, the licensee of the Papanui Hotel, who identified them by his name being engraved on them. Prisoner said ho knew nothing about the tumblers, which must have been put into his pocket by some other person. He was drunk that night. The police gave prisoner the character of being a respectable person. The Bench thought the offences had been the result of a drunken frolic. Prisoner was ordered to pay McGregor 15s, 3s to Amyes, and a fine of 20s. Assault. —William Bell was charged with assaulting Hugh McGregor, storekeeper, at Papanui. Prosecutor deposed to prisoner having attacked him outside of his own bouse on Tuesday night. Prisoner struck witness in the mouth, and loosened all his front teeth. Prisoner was not very drunk, and there had boon no provocation. The case arose out of the one reported against Frederick Hubbard, above. Prisoner was fined 20s, or fourteen days’ imprisonment.