RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3476, 14 February 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before H. Kenrick, Esq., 8.M.) OBSCENITY. \. Patrick Kelly was charged with committing a breach of the Vagrant Act by using obscene and indecent language in a public place. - Defendant said, "Not that he was aware of." Constable ..Haslett, stationed at Grabanustown, deposed to being in Pollen street on the 7th, in the evening. The defendant went round in an excited state to the Waiotahi Hotel, and kicked up a row. The.constable turned him out, and defendant then proceeded to Pollen street again, and used the language complained of. A small boy named William Eddowes gave corroborative evidence. His Worship said this offence was getting a very common one, and he would have to punish every case severely. Defendant would be fined £3 and costs; or, .in default, one week's imprisonment. DBUNKENNESS. Jane French pleaded guilty to this offence, saying that she had not been " up " for two years. His Worship taking this into consideration discharged her. - • I Mrs French thanked the Bench profusely, and withdrew, smiling sweetly. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. Francis Rodewald was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act, by taking I from Jane French, a pair of trowsers and a vest in exchange for liquor. Defendant, who was defended by Mr ! Brassey, pleaded not guilty. J Mr Brassey before going on with the ! case said he wished to state that he had subpoenaed His Worship as a witness, and the subpoena had not been signed. ■• His Worship said that he could not sign it, and intended to hear the case. The course adopted by Mr Brassey was most unusual. Mr Brascey then requested that all witnesses be ordered out of Court, including Mr Kenny. This was done, Mr Brassey first assuring the Bench that Mr Kenny's remaining in Court would prejudice his case. Sergeant Mulville, sworn, deposed—l 'know Rodewald; he is licensee of the Waiothi Hotel. Patrick Kelly, sworn, deposed—! am a bootmaker, and reside in Pollen street.

On the 31st January I missed a tweed pair of trousers and vest, and gave information to the police. I saw them next in the Waiotahi Hotel, and demanded them. I had to pay sixpence for them, the amount that Mrs French bad given them for. The value was £I, lls. Mr Rodewald gave her the sixpence. Defendant was iv the bar at the time.

. By Mr Brassey : Mrs Rodewald gave Mrs French sixpence for the clothes. Mrs Rodewald told %me Mrs French had pawned the clothes, and she had given her sixpence to get them out. Mrs Rodewald was keeping my clothes for me till I got over my booze. By.the Bench : When I went into the hotel I said I had lost my clothes, and Rodewald told me that I must give sixpence for them. •

Jane French deposed that she was at Kelly's house, when he said he was dying for a drink, and gave her his clothes to raise a shilling on them. She only raised sixpence from Mrs Kates, who lives on the beach, and Mrs Rodewaid gave her sixpence to get them out of pawn. Mrs Eodewald previously objected to lending her Is on the clothes. Rosina Kates, sworn, deposed—l reside at Rose Cottage, Beach Road. I keep a private boarding house. t I know Mrs French. She did not call on me and leave a pair of trousers and vest with me. The only transactions she had with me were in vegetables and peaches. His Worship said that no case had been made out, and dismissed the case.

IMPOSITION. Elizabeth Mclntosh was charged with imposing on Robert Morgan by false representations for the purpose of obtaining goods. Robert Morgan, sworn, deposed—lam the proprietor of the Shortland Bazaar. Defendant came into my shop and said she was sent for goods by Mrs Gillan^ of the Hazlebank hotel. My wife supplied the goods to the value of 2s 3d, and booked them to Mrs Gillan.

Annie Gillan wife of the licensee of the Hazelbank Hotel, deposed that defendant was in her employ, but had left last Monday. She had not authorised defendant to get any goods in her name. There being other charges of a similar nature against defendant His Worship postponed the case. The same defendant was charged with practising a similar imposition to Thomas Short.

John Truscott, shopman to Thos. Short, deposed to defendant coming to his employer's shop and obtaining a pair of stockings in Mrs Gillan's name. Decision -in this - case was also held over. - ■/'.•;. '

The same defendant was also charged with imposing on R. N". Smith. 11. N. Smith, deposed that defendant had obtained ham, eggs, and butter from him for Mrs Gillan. He had booked it to Mrs Gillan. \ ';■ ■

■ Mrs Gillan deposed she had not' sent defendant for the goods. In each case defendant was sentenced to 4 months' imprisonment with hard labor, the sentences to run concurrently. Court adjourned.