S.M. COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8508, 10 February 1908, Page 5

S.M. COURT.

DISGUSTED,

PALMERSTON—MONDAY. flßoforo Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A first offender for drunkenness was convicted and fined ss, in default 24 hours' hard labour. GRAZING STOCK ON THE PUBLIC ROAD. Matthew McNelies was charged with on the 3ist.'December, allowed a cow and a calf to trespass on the railway line between Longburn and Palmerston. He was further charged that on the 29th December he allowed a mob of 61 head of cattle to graze on the Foxton Line, and that on the 30th he allowed 67 head of cattle to graze on the same road. Mr Innes, who appeared for the County Inspector, stated that the information was laid under the Police Offences Act. Defendant had been warn, ed that this kind of practice could not continue. Included with the cattle were a number of bulls, and they constituted a danger to the public who were using the roads.

Defendant stated that it was neoessary to bring the cattle to the abattoirs on the Sunday in order to have them- there for Monday. The other day on which he was oharged with having had cattle on the road happened to -be a holiday, and he could not get them to the abattoirs. He was short of grass, and took them out on the road rather than let them starve. With regard to the charge for allowing cattle to trespass on the railway line, he stated that there was no fence at the place, artd while he had gone after some cattle that had broken away down a side road, the cow and calf went on to the line. On the first charge of : allowing cattle to trespass on the railway line he was fined 10s and costs, on the charge of allowing a mob of cattle to graze on the road on the 29th he was fined 20s and costs; and on the remaining chargers and costs. Mr Fitzherbert appeared for the Railway Department. . "' * SHOOTING GAME OUT OF SEASON. W. Downing (Mr Innes), ranger for the Acclimatisation Society, proceeded against John Hill and Joshua Hill for haying shot native game at Himitangi during the close season. Mr Moore appeared for defendants, and entered a plea of guilty in the oaee of John Hill. He stated that accused had not gone out with the idea of shooting ducks. He really went out to shoot rabbits. Some ducks happened to be passing, and he fired at them and shot one. He was fined 20s and;costs. The charge against, Joshua Hill was • dismissed MAINTENANCE. An. old-age pensioner asked that a maintenance order requiring his son to pay 5s per week for his support be altered to 10s per week. The application was dismissed. FURIOUS DRIVING.

Marshall Knight was charged with having driven a horse and trap at a furious pace along the public road. Mr Mowlem appeared for accused. William Maunder, carter, Ashhurst, stated that he was driving along the public road opposite the Ashhurst railway station, on Sunday, January I9th, and was passed by accused, who was driving at a fast trot. There were two in. the trap, and both appeared to be driving and were" urging the horse on in an excited manner, the horse breaking into a canter just after they passed. Joseph Clarke Maunder, builder, Ashhurst, stated that on the evening in question he saw accused and another man driving at a gallop along the road from Ashhurst. ( George William Bowater, farmer, Ashhurst, stated that on the Sunday evening in question he had seen the two men driving at a gallop along the road. John Bogun gave corroborative evidence. .

Defendant admitted that he was one of those in the trap. He had hired a horse and trap at Ashhurst on the date mentioned, and had a friend with him who drove.; From the first the horse did not go well, and after they got some distance out took the bit between its teeth and bolted. His friend could not hold the horse, and finally it turned sharply into a gateway and oapsized the trap. Defendant had not driven at all and had not touched the reins. Defendant was convicted and fned 40s and costs £3 3s.