POLICE COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 473, 28 August 1909, Page 3

POLICE COURT.

At the local Police Court this morning, before Messrs Alf. Fraser and T. Rimraer, J’s.P., Arthur Bly, John O’Shea, and Douglas Robertson, were charged on the information of the police, with being found by night without lawful excuse, in Victoria Park. Bly pleaded guilty, and O’Shea and Robertson not guilty. Evidence for the prosecution was given by Constable Sweeney, who stated that at about 4 o'clock this morning he was called by Constable Woods, and informed that the dressing shed at Victoria Park had been burned down. They proceeded to the Park, and on searching the grounds, found the accused Bly, whom they arrested and took to the lock-up. They afterwards returned to the Park, and found the other two accused, who were sleeping under the trees. All three of the accused had apparently been drinking. Constable Woods corroborated the previous witness’ evidence, and stated that on the previous night he had visited the Park, and warned O’Shea and Bly about sleeping there. On coming away had met several others going in that direction, and had warned them.

The accused Bly stated that he did not know how the fire originated. He was not exactly sober at the time, and did not remember it. The Justices said that this was a serious offence, and they were liable to 12 months’ imprisonment. They would each be convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.

William Gibson, who pleaded not guilty, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person having no visible lawful means of support. Constable Sweeney, in evidence stated that he had known the accused for the last 12 months, and during that period he had done practically no work. Robertson had told witness that Gibson, (whom he knew as Farmer), had slept at the Park last night. Asked accused where he slept and he said in the stable at the back of Bird’s Hotel. On accused being told that he was going to be arrested on the present charge, he said that he had money, but on being searched at the police station only sixpence was found. Constable Woods said that he had known the accused for a little over twelve months, and during that period he had been before the court on two occasions. He was suspected of supplying liquor to prohibited persons. Yesterday witness caught him putting a bottle of beer into a prohibited person’s trap. The accused did not desire to make any statement and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.