POLICE COURT.—Wednesday.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 42, 24 November 1871, Page 3

POLICE COURT.— Wednesday.

Before W. Fraser, Esq., R.M. Affiliation. —Robert Johnstone was (.ji arged by Mary Jane Elvin with refusing t 0 support an illegitimate child, ofwhK-’h he was the father, and Mary Jane El vin fhe mother.-Mr Dodcl appear d for plaintiff. -Mr Macdonald for defendant, who not guilty.-Mary Jane Elvin ; the C c™P lain r a "{> de P°s ed that the defendant W as , father ° f , the child, bora about four wet'** 9 a S°- e ”' danthad evaded her vdien s^ie applv for some maintenance.- J? promised to meet her to-day to settle the case without coming in to Court, . 1 , not come in time. She had never r, -’ ce j', e i anything towards the support of the c 1 • —ln cross-examination by Mr Macdona > complainant deposed that she had receivec £1 from defendant, on one occasion to buy a wedding dress, but he afterwards refused to marry her, having heard that she had had two children before. (The cross-ex-amination was continued at length.)

.This was complainant’s case. —Mr Macdonald submitted that there was no corroberative evidence that a child had been born, none whatever that the child was still alive and required maintenance; all three being essential points before any order conld be made. —His Worship said there was sufficient evidence of a demand having been made, and of the child being alive, but there was no corroborative evidence. He also pointed out the law bearing on the matter, which showed: that in in addition to the evidence of complainant there must be some corroborative evidence. This had not been produced, and he (the R.M.) had no other alternative but to dismiss the case. - Stray Horse. —Niels Mikelson “was charged with allowing one horse to wander at large in Mackay-street, Shortland, on the 15th instant. Defendant said he expected somebody bad driven them down. Fined 2s 6dand costs. The Court then adjourned.

Yesterday. Before W. Fraser, Esq., R.M. Susttcion of Lunacy. —James Logan was brought up on remand on suspicion of lunacy. A medical certificate from Dr. Lethbridge was produced, dated the 20th instant, stating that lie had examined the accused, and found him suffering from the effects of excessive drinking. On the application of Mr Bullcn the accused was again further remanded until next day. to a Dog. —William Barron was charged with cruelty to a dog, the property of W. Winchcomb, at Grahamstown, on the 20lli instant, lho defendant pleaded guilty, and said the dog lmd bitten him. Mr Bullcn said he understood this was an aggravated case. The R.M. said be would‘like to hear sonic evidence of what occurred. William Robinson stated that lie was standing with some other people near Allaway’s dining rooms on the 20th instant, when he saw the defendant, who was apparently drunk, lift a little dog into the air, and dash it violently on to the pavement twice. Witness believed the animal’s leg was broken. The R.M. said this was the first case of the kind which bad come before him since lie had sat on the Bench at the Thames, and he hoped it would be the last. Ihe punishment provided by the statute was not severe enough for a brute who would ill-treat a dumb animal in this way. If the statute gave him (the R.M.) power to order defendant to be tied up and flogged, he would make an order to that effect most willingly. The law, however, gave him no such power. The defendant must pay a penalty of £5, or in default of payment suffer one month imprisonment with bard labour. Forging and Uttering.— Thomas kcohean, was brought ‘up by warrant (from the Waikato where lie was arrested,) charged with forging and uttering on the 14th’ instant, a spurious cheque on the Bank of Australasia for £1 14s, with intent to defraud William Kennedy, and Henry Tout of Shorthand.—William Kennedy deposed : I am partner in the firm of Kennedy and Tout, butchers, Shortland, and Know the prisoner by the name of “ Andy.” Have known him about three years’. He purchased a leg of mutton at my shop in October. I his was booked to jiiin. On or about the 9th October, the prisoner asked me to lend him 3s, which I did. I saw him again afterwards wehn he presented the document produced, purporting to be a cheque drawn by Mr J. Ockley, on the Bank of Australasia, Grahamstown, for £1 14s, in favor of Thomas Keohean. Prisoner said the cheque was all right, and that lie had just received it. He paid his account (8s) with it, aud received the difference in cash. With the exception of certain marks the cheque is in the same state now, as it was when presented by the prisoner. The cheque was paid away on the 16th October, to Mr E. M. West, wholesale butcher. On or about the 24th October, the cheque was brought back by Mr West’s clerk, with the words “ no account” endorsed upou it. Search was then made for the prisoner who was traced to Auckland, aud subsequently to the Whikato, and legal proceedings were taken which rosultcdinhis arrest. Have no knowledge of J Ockley, the person purporting to be the drawer of the cheque—John Burke, ledger-keeper in the Union Bank, Grahamstown, stated that Mr E.M. West keepß an account there. Know the cheque produced. It was paid into the bank to Mr West’s account about the 16th October. The amount was placed to Mr West’s credit. The cheque is drawn upon the Bank of Australasia. In the usual course of business the cheque was presented there, and returned with the words “no account ” marked upon it. The cheque was then returned to Mr West. No such person as J Ockley has any account at the Union Bank. Mi G. Rody, teller in the Bank of Australasia, Grahamstown, deposed to receiving the cheque preduced from last witness on the 16th October, and returning it with the words “ cancelled in error ” written over the drawer’s name. The cheque was returned to the Union Bank endorsed “ no account.” No one of the name of Ockley has an account at the Bankol Australasia, Grahamstown.— Detective Murphy stated that he saw .prisoneryesterday to ascertain who was the drawer of the cheque. Informed him that anything he said might . be used in evidence against him, and that witness was a constable, and also told linn he was not bound to say - anything unless he liked. Witness produced the cheque and asked the prisoner who signed it. He said he did not know. Witness asked him where he got it. He said he got it from a man named Ockley, who owed him some money 3 or 4 years ago m the Waikato, whom he had not seen afterwards until the 14th October, when he gave him the cheque and said it would be all right when taken to the bank, and lie thereupon took it and got it cashed by Mi Kennedy. Witness then asked the prisoner for the Christian name and description of Ockley, and for some directions so that he might be found. Prisoner said he did not know Ockley’s Christian name, nor where he lived. He said he did not know anybody on the Thames who knew this person. Witness has made enquiries, and can find no one here of the name of Ockley. Have made enquiries at all the Banks here, and can find no one of that name having an account at any of them. The prisoner, who declined to examine the witness or to make any statement, was fully committed for trial at the Supreme C °Yagrant Horse.— John Leonard was charged with permitting ahorse to wander at large in Mackie-street, Shortland, on the 15th inst.—The defendant pleaded guilty, and stated that the horse got loose from'the stable, and followed some other horses in from Tararu.—Fined 2s Gd and costs.