COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS.

TE AWAMDTU. •At the Magistrate's Court on Saturday, before Messrs North, lrrlne, and Elmsly, JJVs Bert Strand and Frank Meyer, axmillers, of Te Awamutu, -were charged by the police that they did, on November 6th, maliciously damage a signboard to the value of £3, the property of W. G. Abbott, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Te Awamutn. Both, the accused pleaded guilty. Ilae iMoneby, barman at the Te Aiwomntn Hotel, w-as charged by the police that he did commit mischief by counselling and procuring the two former accused to damage the signboard. The accused ivae represented by Mr Cox, and pleaded not guilty. It was stated that the signboard was erected on the sth inst, at a cost of £12. I*lolll the evidence of the two accused they had assisted to erect the board In .the morning. They then proceeded to the Te Awa-nmtu Hotel, where, after taring a few drinks, it was suggested by the barman that it would be a' Joke to disfigure the board. It was alleged that the barman had "shouted" on several, occasions, and bad shown the accused where paint could be found. On their returning in the evening they were again reminded of the paint, and the barman persuaded them to disfigure the 'board. Wid. Whisker, flaxmiller, of Te Awannitn, corroborated the evidence of the two accused. Rae Monsby stated that Strand and Myer entered tie bar, and remarked that a signboard had been erected by Mr Abbott. Evidence had shown 'that Strand had a grudge against Mr Abbott, owing to his having been refnsed drink, and it was suggested that this would be a good opportunity of getting even. He stated that the question of painting had been started by the men, and apart from hearing occasional remarks concerning paint he knew nothing of the matter. George Idvingstone, a painter, of Te Atvamutu, stated 'that he had seen Strand and Myer in the paint shop in the afternoon. He could not swear -whether they were speaking to the barman or not. ■Frederick Garrard corroborated the evidence of the former witness. Mr Abbott ■(recalled) stated that I/ivingstone had been sent to repaint the board, and when asked If he knew who pain-ted the board, told Mr Abbott of a. conversation between the barman and the 'three flaxmillers. Other evidence of less importance was taken. The Court was adjourned, and after considering the case for five minutes, the magistrates convicted and fined Myers 5/ and costs. As they considered Moneby had been instrumental In bringing about the offence, he was convicted and fined £5, with costs 12/, flnd ordered to pay for damage done to the board (£3), In default of which a term of one month was Imposed.