Police Intelligence.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 10, 3 June 1863, Page 3

Police Intelligence.

POLICE COURT, QUEENSTOWN. (Before J. Nugent Wood, Esq.) Saturday, 30th May, 1863. Mr. Cameron, of the All Nations Hotel, was summoned for keeping a disorderly hou^e. Sergeant Naydon deposed that on the evening of the 7th he heard a noise in the house, and on going in saw men drinking, and others quarrelling. The front doors were closed, but there was a light in the bar. Mr. Cameron —Did you knock ? Constable Naydon—No; but I made a noise. On going in Cameron asked me what business I had to come in without knocking. There was nobody in the bar when 5 first went in. By the Bench —Was there a fight or noise inside the house f

Constable Naydon thought there was a fight. Sergeant Morton was also there ; neither of them asked for admission.

Constable Hunt said he was on duty that night and was called in by Cameron to turn a man out. Asked the man if he had not stones in his hand or pocket, which he denied. Turned this man out. Saw Cameron turn a man out. There was general quarrelling. The woman that Cameron had behind the bar called him in again. Some person he believed to be interested in the house was very violent. Another man came up to him and saia he had lost L 3. Six persons were then fighting. Constable Naydon—Were there lights after twelve ?

Constable Hunt—Yes, there were. A woman also was making a great disturbance.

The Bench—What was the woman's name ? Constable Hunt—l don't know, but a prostitute by repute. Mr. Cameron—Could you have quelled the row ?

Constable Hunt—Yes, I could. I did turn Maloney out, and he was one of the worst. The Bench —You seem to suppose, Mr. Cameron, that the police have nothing else to do but turn people out of your house, as fast as you allow them drink enough to get intoxicated, and so keep on all night. To the policeman—Did you see men prowling about after twelve ? Constable Hunt—l did. I saw several outside waiting. John Miller deposed on the night in question he came from Frankton and stopped at the All Nations. About twelve o'clock a woman and Maloney were fighting. The Bench—What was the woman ; was she a lodger ? Witness—l don't know. Joseph Moss sworn, said he was at the All Nations at twelve o'clock, and was drinking. There was fighting going on. Maloney came up and struck witness, tearing his coat. Constable Hunt said he could not take the men in charge. Did not stay all night. When Constable Hunt came in he went out.

Mr. Cameron here produced the handle of a pick, and said he kept the crowd inside toprevent their getting hurt in the street. The Bench—This is really a rowdy house. You had a warning the last time you were here. Mr. Cameron—l dislike rowdies as much as any man. The Bench—This is the last chance you'll have. Should you appear before me again I shall most certainly take away your license. You are fined L 5. SUNDAY TRADING. Mr. M'Beath was complained against by Sergeant Morton for allowing his store to be kept open on Sunday, 24th May, contrary to the Act. Mr. M'Beath —Well, your Worship, everybody does the same.

Sergeant Naydon—Your Worship, sergeant Morton desired me to mention that he did not want to press the various charges in this instance, but hopes it will be the means of doing away with Sunday trading. ihe Bench—As Mr. Morton does not want to press the charge, I shall fine you one shilling, and seven shillings and sixpence costs. Mr. M'Beath—This Sunday closing will be thought very hard by men coming in a distance of 20 miles. The Bench—Mr. M'Beath, I did not make laws on the matter. Bullen & Co. were summoned on a similar charge.

Mr. Bulleil explained that they wore obliged to keep the front door open as there was no back door. If any person should come in they served them. The Bench—You must get a back door made, and I am sorry Mr. Bullen has not more respect for his employees than to wish them to work seven days a week. Fined one shilling, seven shillings and sixpence costs. Mr. Webster was summoned on a similar charge. Mr. Webster said he was not at home on that day; was at the Shotover—besides, he had no back door. The Bench—l've heard that same tale in Victoria, where they used to keep open on account of the heat; here I should have thought you would have been glad to close them on account of cold. Fined one shilling and seven shillings and sixpence costs. Mr. J. C. Brown Victoria stores, was also summoned. He said he kept his store open but did not recollect selling. The Beuch—Of course you sold; what is the use of fencing with the charge ; surely you are making money enough during six days, without adopting the seventh for business. # Fined one shilling, and seven shillings and sixpence costs. Mr. Whittingham was fined the same sum for a similar charge. Mr. Angus was also summoned. He did not object to be fined, but hoped his Worship would make the Banks and Gold Offices close. The Bench—Of course, all must close on Sundays. De Courcy Young v. Kennedy.—Action for encroachment. Kennedy owned he had encroached to the extent of two feet, but he had desisted immediately on being served with notice. The Bench—Of course; after you read my order! What right have you to the ground ? Dr. ¥oung said he had bought the ground of a man named Jackson.

The Bench—But the question is simply one of occupation, not of purchase; no person has a legal right to buy or sell Crown lands. E. Jackson—l took up the ground in dispute originally three months since ; my tent was 14 feet long ; there was a right-of-way between me and the Royal.. This right-of-way is the ground in dispute. Mr. Agnew and I held it conjointly. Mr. Agnew—Part of the ground in dispute was mine. I gave a man named Jones, a barber, leave to put up a place there, as it was used as a urinal, and caused me much annoyance. Jones was to pay 10s. a week rent, but did not pay as he was unsuccessful in business. Subsequently, sold the stand for LlB to Kennedy. Kennedy had been in possession for two months. Mr. Young—The house is a nuisance, Sir. It is a rowdy pie-shop. The Bench—Really, I think, Mr. Young you have nothing to complain of at all. Kennedy has been in full possession of the ground, which it appears has only seven feet frontage. It is a preposterous thing to suppose that because you purchase an allotment from Jackson, aud which was no legal sale, you can turn another man off ground that he has occupied for some time, in order that you may get possession. Case dismissed.

Tuesday, 2nd June. Drunk and Disorderly.—Fred. Smith of the Diggers' Kest Hotel, was charged with being on Monday night drunk and disorderly, and damaging Constable Pennefather's coat. He was fined for the first offence 405,; for assaulting the constable LlO, or one month's imprisonment; for damaging the constable's uniform Is. fine, and L 3 ss. expenses.