POLICE COURT.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 22216, 22 March 1900, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

(Before Messrs Edward Gallagher and Thomas Mclndoe, J ’s F.) At the Police Court on Tuesday afternoon, before Justices Gallagher and Mclndoe, Patrick Cbnnedy was charged, nn the information of Constable Wild, with behaving unseetningly on the previous eveningConstable Wild (sworn) stated: On the evening in question he was informed that a recent arrival in the district, staying at the Hot Springs Hotel, had shown signs of weakness in intellect, and behaving in a very strange manner indeed,. He found accused-standing in Whitaker Street, near the Domain, and asked him certain questions and. received replies couched in very obscene language. On closer observa'ion and noticing accused actions, he came to the conclusion that Connelly was suffering from the delirium* tremens,, the result of intemperance, and that lie was not' in fit a state to be at large. By Accused :• Did not drag you to lock-up, and on arrival there choked you. Did not tear your clothing about. Was in plain clothes when I arros ed you. In reply to questions by the Bench accused stated he was not in the habit of drinking. On the evening in question he felt unwell, and walked outside in the fresh air to see if that would bonofit him. lie could not account for his strange behaviour in the Hotel, and put it down to weakness caused by dyspepsia He arrived in the colony about 6 months ago from India., Dr Smith in his evidence said accused was quite capable of looking after himself, and considered his strange conduct was tho result of a driuking bout. Provided accused got no further drink he was in. a state to bo at large.

Corroborative evidence was given bv 11. E. Crombie, and W. 11. Knock. Tho former assisted the Constable in currying out his duties ; the latter, as proprietor of the Hot Springs Hotel, stated the way in which accused behaved on the evening of 19th inst., which led him to the belief that Connelly was suffering from a lit of mental derangement. Tho Bencli dismissed the case, at the same time stating they wore of opinion the Constable was quite justified in arresting accused, and thought he should be thankful to those who had taken him in hand at the time they did-