POLICE COURT.-This Day.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 201, 27 August 1886, Page 2

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before Mesers D G. MacDonnellond D. C.

McDonnell, Justices.)

Drunkenness. —Two persons wero mulcted in the usual amount for having been gui.ty of tho above offence. Assault. —Richard Walker was charged with assaulting Demia Bergen in Queenstreet.—Mr O'Meagher appeared on behalf of the accused, and pleaded not guilty.— Dennis Bergen deposed that he vended papers in the street, and was much annoyed by larrikins, who calleel him " Rata." This was very unpleasant, and he remonstrated with prisoner, who then struck him three time*?. The prisoner had been annoying him for months, and it was very bard if a man could not earn an honest living without being insulted in this manner —William Richard Loekwood deposed to hearing the prieoner call out " rats " after tho complainant. Saw Walker strike him on the nose. They had been arguing before. Did not see Dennis Bergen strike the prisoner, although he heard him threaten to do fo.—Constable Cotter deposed that about G o'clock on tho night before last he was on duty in Queen-street. He sow tha prisoner strike one blow on the prosecutor* nose.—Richard Walker deposed that ha was coming round tho corner of Queenstreet, when a rat ran past. Witnega shouted, "Look at the rat." Bergen wa» near, and at once struck witness with hia stick. WPness then struck him three times in tho face. — James French, cab - driver, deposed to seeing tha young fellow annoying Bergen and then striking Bergen. — Mr O'Meagher s Surely thero must bo some mistake. I yas instructed that this was a witness for the defence, whereas ho has treated me to a surprise. I mutt ask leave of the Bench to treat bim as a hostile witness. —This waa allowed by the Bench. —Witness continued j He saw tho old man raise tho stick after the blow was struck.—lhe Bench fined the p:i=oner 20a end costs, or 14 days' bard labour.

Medical Practitioners' Act.—Samml Hood was charged with having committed a broach of the above Act by practising medicine. — On tho application of Mr O'Meagher, this case was again remanded for one week, aa tho defendant proposed leaving the colony by the s s. Waihora this afternoon.

A Champion in Trouble.—James M. Connell was charged with having assaulted William Thomas Payne, on the 21st August, by striking him on the face with hi* clenched fist —Mr O'Meagher obtained a remand until Friday next.

11l -treating a Hor.se.—Thomas Lafferty was charged with having been guilty of Hogging a horse with a whip, the same having in it a thin rod of iron. — The prisoner pleaded guilty. —Mr William Thome proeecuted on behalf of tbe Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, He wished a penalty to be inflicted to teach the man how to treat his horee.— Mr George Gilmore deposed to being in Stanley-street on Wednesday afternoon. He saw a man similar to the accused thrashing a horse unmercifully with a worn-out riding whip, which bad a steel rod running through it. The man was not sober. Mrs Lafferty informed witness that it was her husband who was thrashing the horse.—By the Bench : Witness heard women crying out, and went inside and saw them wringing their hands while the accused was beating the horse. Ono said he was her hußband. Witness thought it his duty to report the matter.—lda Alderson deposed to seeing Mr Lafferty beating his horse. He appeared to be out of temper. Witness called to him not to do er, but he took no notice. She hoped tho Bench would give him a good caution this time. She thought Mr Lafferty beat the horse too much. She was a farmer's daughter, and knew something about it.—Mr Redgate, Inspector for tho Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, deposed to having examined the horee. fle found Eeveral marks upon the horse. Thcro was a scar on the flank. The whip produced could punish tho horso severely.—This closed thG case for the prosecution. —Jas. Cunningham deposed t__ttho horse had been treated with kindness until it kicked him in the groin and knocked him over. The accused then seized the whip, and laid into the hoise. It had tho rugs on at tho timo. The horee was all right next day. Witness had been working for the defendant.—The statement of defendant consisted of a total denial of illtreatment.—The Bench were of opinion that unnecessary cruelty had taken place, but as the offence was not an aggravated one, they would only inflict a fine of 10d and costs.