Stephen Cain and Bichard Philips wer« found guilty of having been drunk, and sentenced to the usual punishment. BREACH OF APPRENTICESHIP INDENTURES. George Moulder, John Coyle, Thomas Powley, William Healey, David Robinson, and John Scott were charged with having absented themselves from their work on the 26th December without thei master's leave or permission. The lads pleaded guilty, saying that they thoaght Boxing-day a. holiday all over the world. Mr. George Holdship, who was the complainant in the case, said that he merely wished that these boys should be taught that they could be punished for going away as they hagl done. He would Tie satisfied if they gate theirpromise to return to their work, and not transgress again. Mr. Hesketh, who appeared for Scott, said he was instructed that for four years Boxing-day had been" allowed as a holiday in Mr. Holdship's establish ment, and, although there was no express consent, there was implied consent. His Worship warned the lads that they had rendered themselves liable to two months' imprison ment with hard labour, and reprimanded them severely for their conduct. He said that, after what bad Joeen stated by Mr. Holdship, he would discharge them upon their promising to return to their work, and obey orders in future. The promise was made, and the boys were dis charged. BREACH OF THE VAGRANT ACT. Ellen Butcher was charged with a breach of th above Act by being a common prostitute, and behaving in an indecent and riotous manner in Grey street. Constable Morrison deposed that defendant was a common prostitute. On the 3rd of January he saw her on the street dressed in the uniform of a seaman of the Boyal Navy. On seeing witness defendant ran away, when witness pursued her, and found her in a house in bed with the seaman whose clothes she had on. Sergeant-major Molloy deposed that defendant had been a prostitute for the last five years. His Worship said that prisoner was liable to be imprisoned for three months. He would pass sen tence of fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour. LARCBNr. Daniel Welsh was charged with stealing from' the premises of Janet McKenna, at' Ellerslie, on the 3rd of January, a pair of tweed trousers. Welsh pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to ft a month's imprisonment with hard labour. This concluded the business. ' •

December 29. 