S.M. Court, Hastings.

Hastings Standard, Issue 76, 24 July 1896, Page 2

S.M. Court, Hastings.

Friday, July 24. (Before C. A. Fitzßoy and J. Arnott, J.P's.) The following charges for breaches of the borough bye-laws were dealt with : For allowing cattle to wander at large Daniel St John, Albert Karaitaina, Richard Webb, James Kyle, Daniel Woods, W. Graham, Thomas Houston, John Hickey, Win. Keith, Alexander Matheson, James Tweedy, Thomas Connor, Okiri Wirehane, T. 11. Steward, Wm. Pepper, James McGuirk, Joseph Baker, and Fritz Sutherland were convicted and discharged, being first offenders. John Hayes was fined Is and costs. W. Tressider, E. Humphrey and W. B. Harper were fined 5s and costs. Thomas Hamill was ordered to contribute 10s and costs to the revenue. Thos. Home was mulcted in 20s and costs. The charges against T. Rowlands and W. Horn, charged with allowing their cattle to wander, were dimissed. A case against Timothy Dunn, for pasturing twelve head of cattle on an unoccupied section, was dismissed. DAMAGING A CULVERT. The case of County Council v. Maurice Breen, for damaging a culvert by chopping the post and rails, was further adjourned on the application of Mr E. H. Williams to 21st August= ASSAULT. George Hope, a trainer and jockey, was charged with using insulting * language towards a Native named Whirani outside Mr O'Reilly's Hotel. Mr Ebbett, who appeared for the defendant, pleaded guilty on his behalf, but asked their Worships to reserve their decision until they had heard a charge of assault against Whirini arising out of the present case. The Bench agreed to Mr Ebbett's proposal. Whirani was charged with assaulting Geo. Hope outside Mr D. O'Reilly's hotel on the night of July 17. Defendant pleaded not guilty, Alfred Risdon, sworn, deposed that he saw Whirani assault Hope, knocking him down and trampling on him. He also struck a man who came to Hope's assistance. G. Cox, an employe of Mr O'Reilly's, also gave evidence. * Sergeant Mitchell swore that Whirani made a statement to him saying that when he was preparing his trap to return home on the night in question, he accosted complainant and another European saying "Good evening gentlemen." They said "go to H— — you black Maori b ." He did not reply but when Hope laid his hand aggressively on his shoulders from behind he turned round and struck him, knocking him down. He did not trampble on him, but seeing the other European rushing towards him he thought it advisable for his own safety, to keep Hope on the ground, so he placed his foot upon his neck to prevent him regaining his feet, * and struck at the second assailant, knocking him against the wall. The quarrel was not of his seeking. Whirani, sworn, confirmed the Sergeant's statement. The Bench taking into consideration the grave provocation received, dismissed the charge against Whirani, and in the case against George Hope, fined him 20s and costs 9s. Mr Kelly acted as interpreter. DRIVING WITHOUT LIGHTS. Whirani Renata and Here Akawa were charged with driving a vehicle without lights after sundown on June 17. Defendants pleaded not guilty. Constable Butler proved the offence, and the defendants were fined 5s each and 7s costs. Whirani was further charged with driving round the corner of Railway and Heretaunga streets at other than a walking pace. Whirani pleaded that this was the night of the assault and he wished to get away from the locality as fast as possible to avoid further disturbance. The Bench, taking into consideration the excitement under which jps defendant was laboring owing to the fracas, imposed the nominal fine of Is, and costs 7s. Charles Waldren, charged with driving a vehicle after sundown without lights, was fined 10s and costs. _ Erne Nuku, charged with driving round the corner of Railway-street and Heretaunga Road at other than a walking pace was fined 10s and costs. He had previously been cautioned by Sergeant Mitchell. Robert Trimble, on a similar charge, was fined Is and costs. First offence. Isaac Dixon, charged with leaving his cart unattended without being perly secured, was fined 5s and cojts,