THE COURTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 178, 20 August 1909, Page 2

THE COURTS.

AUCKLAND POLICE OASES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. George Thomas Hutton and Jo® Holmes, two young men, 'were to-day sentenced at the Police Court to a year's imprisonment with hard labor. The police stated that they belonged 1.0 the numerous and growing class which robbed and assaulted drunken men. The Magistrate said he was determined to assist the police in ridding the town of such characters. Seven shopkeepers, charged with selling cigarettes to youths under 15, had convictions recorded against them, and were ordered to pay costs. OPIUM SMUGGLING. TRAVELLER HEAVILY FINED. Wellington, Thursday. William Alfred Masters, a commercial traveller, who arrived from Sydney by the Moeraki yesterday, was charged a't the Magistrate's Court to-day with having in his possession 100 tins of opium, valued at about £3OO. Accused was lined £ 100, and an order made for the forfeiture of the opium. THE HAMILTON FRACAS. Hamilton, Thursday. The police withdrew the charge against John Murray, who was arrested m connection with the alleged stabbing of William Bradley during a recent fracas. Bradley contends that he was injured by some foreigner. There is an element of mystery attached to the ea.ie, which is unlikely to be solved; but from all accounts Murrav is quite guiltless in the matter.