POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. Tuesday. —(Before E. M. Edgcumbe, Esq.,J.P.)

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1240, 10 June 1880, Page 3

POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. Tuesday. — (Before E. M. Edgcumbe, E s q.,J.P.)

DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR. Williatn Alien was charged, on the information of Constable Murray, with that he did, on the Bth day of June inst., commit a breach of the Vagrant Act by behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place, to wit, the hall and yard of the Waikato Hotel; challenging one William Buck to fight, ond making use of profane and indecent language, whereby a bi'cach of the peace might have been occasioned. Sergeant Mcftoveru conducted the prosecution, and the defendant pleaded not guilty. The following evidence was taken :—: — William Buck, sworn, said: I am landlord of the Waikato Hotel. I saw prisoner outside my house and in the kitchen yesterday. He had no right there and I ordered him out. He then went into the back yard, and made use of very bad language in the presence of a woman and a little girl. His conduct was really very bad. The witness here repeated the language used by the prisoner, which is of too obscene and filthy a nature for publication. Constable Murray deposed that Mr Buck complained to him of the prisoner's conduct. He heard him making use of very foul language. The prisoner was sober. Prisoner for the defence called J. Connelly, who deposed that the prisoner had come into the hotel at his invitation, as he (witness) was sick, and wanted to see him. The prisoner pleaded drunkenness, but denied having made use of all the expressions imputed to him. In reply to the Bench, Constable Murray stated that the prisoner was not in the habit of misbehaving himself publicly, but was a very fast character. His Worship, in jwssing sentence, expressed disgust at the blasphemous and leAvd language used by prisoner as sworn to by two reliable witnesses. No man brought before him similarly charged need expect a light sentence : it was absolutely necessary that women and children aud society at large should be protected against blackguard filthy language. Had Constable Murray stated that prisoner was in the habit of publicly misconducting himself the full penalty —£lo, or three months' imprisonment—would have been inflicted. As it was he would impose a fine of £5 and costs, to be paid forthwith, or in default one month's imprisonment. This was all the business.