Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), Tuesday 2 November 1880, page 4


West Maitland Police Court.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1880.

(Before Mr. Addison, P.M., and Mr. A. Vindin, JP.)

DRUNKENNESS, in Thomas Jones and John Prestage pleaded guilty to charges of drunkenness during Saturday, and were admonished and dis-charged John Cook was charged with having been drunk in Elgin-street on Saturday night; also with having made use of obscene language on the same occasion. Defendant pleaded guilty. Constable Woods informed the bench that the defendant was lying on the foot way in Elgin-street drunk. On the way to the lockup he WAS violent, and made use of bad language. Defendant was fined 5s or twentyfour hours in gaol for the first offence, and 20s or three days in gaol for the second offence John O'Donnell pleaded guilty to similar charges. He was arrested by Constable May about 2 o'clock on Sunday morning. Defendant was under the influence of drink, and was without hat or boots. He made use of bad language on the way to the lock-up. Defendant was dealt leniently with as this appeared to be his first offence, and was fined in a total sum of 15s, or three days' imprisonment.James Anderson, who had a large wound under his right eye, was charged with having been drunk in High-street on Sunday afternoon. He pleaded guilty to the charge, and In answer to the bench stated the bruise on the face was caused by falling against a brick wall. Constable Ingram had been informed that the defendant had been fighting previous to the arrest. Fined 10s, or forty-eight hours' imprison-ment Ellen James was convicted of having been drunk in High-street about midnight on Sunday, and the police having given her a bad character, she was fined 10s., or forty-eight hours' imprisonment.

STEALING. Leon Bringolf alias Louis Favarger, was brought upon remand from the Singleton bench, charged with having stolen the sum of £20, bank notes, the property of of John Vanotti, The defendant had been arrested on warrant, issued by the West Maitland bench, by Senior-sergeant Webb at Singleton, and was brought before the bench there, and afterwards remanded to West Maitland. Constable Arthur gave evidence as to having received the defendant, together with the depositions taken at Singleton, and warrant, from the Singleton police. The case was remanded until Thursday for the production of further evidence.

HORSES STRAYING. - Michael Darcy, summoned to answer the charge "of suffering two horses to stray in the Government Road, did not appear. Service of summons and off ance proved and defendant was fined 2s 6d per head and costs. The bench remarked upon the continued absence of defendant when summoned in this way, and said they were inclined to double the amount of fine.

No LIGHTS, Thomas Wallace was charged with not having two lights on his vehicle on the night of the 11th ultimo. Defendant admitted the charge, and stated that he had one light. Constable Barry, who gave the information in this case, stated that the defendant was impertinent to him, when, be asked him about the lights. Fined 5s and 2s 6d costs.

DETENTION OF PROPERTY. Harry Marshall charged George R. Pidding with having unlawfully detained a chest of drawers, his property, of the value of £2 10a after demand and notice of demand had been duly made. Mr. Fielding stated that he had not possession of the drawers, as he did not obtain possession of the room in which the drawers where said to be In reply to questions the complainant stated that be purchased the chest of drawers at an auction sale conducted by Messrs. Brunker and Wolfe, He sent round for the same

the day after the sale and twice subsequently. Mr. Pidding explained that the tenant, although she had left the house, did not give up the key after she had quitted. He had distrained in consequence. He was not disposed to act against the bench ; be had only been looking to his own interests, as he thought that if he gave up the chest of drawers the tenant, Mrs. Burns, may possibly take action against him. He had not taken possession of them. The bench ordered the chest of drawers to be given up forthwith.