RANGIORA.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7262, 23 January 1889, Page 6

RANGIORA.

Tuesday, January 22. fßefore Caleb Whitefoord, Esq., E.M., E. E. Good, Esq., Mayor, and Captain Parsons.] * Drunk in Charge of a Horse and Vehicle.—The adjourned case against W. Major was resumed, and in the absence of Mr Ivory, before whom the case was partly heard, the evidence was taken afresh. H. Cave said on January 4th accused was drunk in charge of a heavy horse and toa^v-which h e was driving fast, and shouting. He followed witness and ffcisji wife, who were in another vehicle, Vfjjim; narrow lane, colliding with them, -MS breaking witness' shaft, as well'as-'other-wise damaging the vehicle. Witness did_; all he could to keep out of accused's way. His wife had been seriously ill with the shock. Witness had no doubt abou&rthe man, and but for wanting to get his wife home would not have let him oft' so easy. J. M. Morgan, licensee Plough Inn, said defendant drove upto his hotel, yelling" in an excited state. Witness was anxious to get him away, and gave him a small glass of beer. He was not sober, but knew what he was doing. Accused did'not give bis horse a drink. T. Boice stated about 9.30 accused was at Fernside. He was a little the worse for drink. With witness and another he wanted to get up a trotting match. He . stayed half an hour talking, then went up the OxfoM 1 road 100 yards, turned "his horse 'romra to the junction of the' roads, _and then gave the horse lefrve-to'-go?- any road it liked. The mare tookdthe West Eyretonroad. He -Jtad .a • lei&anade bottle of whiskey. R. DaMel #w®93%n-;the nigh 4: in question he met accused, 'whom he recognised by his voice.on the road,to West Eyreton about eleven o'clock. He was going at a fair speed, and was talking loudly. It would be hard to say if he was sober. For the defence, accused denied that he was drunk on leaving Rangioß&f At- the Plough Inn: he had gingeri aler He was so excited with the mare being restive that he would hardly know the difference between gingerale and beer. Had a bottle of whisky, which was full wjien he got it from Mr Rountree's Club Hotel, but ha left the .cork out and the spirit was spilled. He had the cork out in case he might meet a friend and wanted to give him a drink.\ He ever seeing Cave or coming .with collision. Mr Helmore admitted his client had -iakea liquor, but was not so far drunk tv come under the pepaltv of the Act. The Resident Magistrate said the evidence. relative to the case was.qnite clear in support of the charge, ancmiefendant's statements were unsatisfactory. It was plain he was the man who followed Cave, and the Bench had uo hesitation in convicting and fining accused 40s and costs. .-; : Alleged Illegal Discharge of Firearms.—J. Moorehouse was charged with discharging a rifle loaded with ball with? out lawful cause. Evidence was given that a shot was heard, smoke was seehi near defendant's orchard, and tbac|aL Snider bujlet was. taken from tSw* weather-boards of Mrs Wagner's hoifß& It was stated that, defendant had pjeviously purchased a Snider rifle aid cartridges, as a member of the North!. Canterbury Rifle Club, which subsequent to the date of the offence he had presented' to the President of the Club to be shot fir as a prise. The Resident Magistrate •ajr nounced the ease would be dismi&9ej&d|P' insufficient; evidence, deießfijMS» ;neighbors would pwbaW'yoSglad i&sfHfr that his rifle and ammunition had given away. '*% A Serious James Daley were charged with larceny of sixtytwo packets crackers, sixteen rockets, and two silk handkerchiefs, the property of Yet Gee, a Chinese gardenfer, out of his cart, while standing,in front of an hotel in Rangiora. Defendant Daley did not appear. Sergeant Barker stated the value of the goods, £2 4s, hadlfeen paid for, and the prosecutor, who now treated the matter as a joke, wished tbe information withdrawn. The Resident Magistrate said he could not allow that, unless the; police took the responsibility. Sergeant Barlow said he was ready io go on with the ease. It was ultimately adjourned for a week.

Civil Cases.—W. C. Nicholls and Co. v D.' Middleton, £2 14s; judgment for plaintiff. W. Harris v J. E. Pilbrow, interpleader, £47 3s 6d; adjourned for a fortnight, G. Cone v J. Petrie, £8 17s; adjourned for a week.