A BULL COMEDY W COURT

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1936, Page 12

A BULL COMEDY W COURT

BREEZY WELLINGTON DEFENDANT ‘ [Per Press Association. — copyright .] WELLINGTON, This Day. “Within the next year there may be a terrible tragedy if the bull is allowed to be at large,” said Mr G. H. Powles, counsel for the Hutt County Council in the Magistrate’s Court, when Archibald Geo. Gledhill, of “Carnation Castle,” Point Howard, was charged before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., yesterday, with permitting a bull to be at large on x Nikau Road, Lowry Bay, on May 19 and 22. “Rats!” interrupted defendant, who conducted his own case, when he heard Mr Powles’ statement. “Silence!” shouted the Court orderly. “Rats again!” exclaimed defendant. “Silence Mr Gledhill!” shouted the orderly, advancing a pace. Defendant replied that the bull was “only a lamb.” He wanted to cultivate a Jersey herd, as Lord Bledisloe had said. Mr Mosley: “But you have only one heifer.” , Defendant: “Yes, but the milk and cream are delicious and I hope to have more.” “Oratory, Not Evidence.” Mr Powles said that defendant had a Jersey bull about four years old. He kept it at Point Howard. “That is oratory, your Worship, not evidence, isn’t it?” interrupted defendant. Mr Mosley: “Mr Powles is entitled to open his case.” Mr Powles did not say anything further, but called Constable Squires of Eastbourne. Constables Squires: “On May 22, I received a complaint that a bull was at large at Point Howard, so I went there.” Defendant: “Don’t stutter, please, I want to hear.” Constable Squires: “The bull was on the road-side. I got close, but it got very threatening and put its head down, so I departed immediately. The bull was dangerous and savage.” Defendant; “Were not your instructions first to investigate a complaint of breaking and entering into my property?” Constable Squires; “No. They were to investigate the bull.” Defendant (interrupting): “Please stop stuttering.” . To the magistrate: “He has to stop, hasn’t he?” His Worship: “He’s all right.” “Speak Up, I“’m Deaf.” J. B. Yaldwyn, in evidence, said that he was a solicitor living at Lowry Bay. Mr Powles: “You live next to the defendant?” Witness nodded. Defendant: “Please stop nodding—and speak up, please. I’m deaf.” Witness said that on May 22, he took two photographs of the bull at large. Defendant: “Most interesting for the bull.” The magistrate: “Most interesting for the Court. Please keep quiet Mr Gledhill.” Defendant, giving evidence, said that he was a commission agent and that he owned “Carnation Castle” and other properties at Lowry Bay, He had suffered tremendous damage from his neighbours. They did not like the “Castle” and wanted £.s.d. from him. Mr Powles objected. He said that the residents of Lowry Bay had had a legitimate cause for complaint. The Jersey bull was known to be of a suspicious and untrusting character. Defendant: “My bull’s a lamb.” Mr Powles: “We would not object if the bull was disposed of.” Defendant, jumping up: “Fancy a stud master disposing of his bull!” The Court orderly: “Silence! Silence!” Defendant: “It’s all rubbish.” The magistrate: “I’m afraid Mr Gledhill the evidence is unimpeachable. The bull was on the road when the photographs were taken.” Impregnable Fence Promised. Defendant: “Who put it there. It may be there now. The neighbours were responsible. They don’t like the bull. I will get a boy to look after him if you will keep these’ villains away. If you would come „up and have a look at him you would be astounded. He’s like a kitten. This is no laughing matter.” The magistrate: “I know it’s not. I like cattle, but a Jersey bull makes my hair stand, on end.” Mr Powles said that residents of Lowry Bay who had complained would withdraw their objection if the “Castle” grounds were more adequately fenced. Defendant: “I will make the ‘Castle’ grounds impregnable.” The magistrate: “It is your duty as a citizen to keep your fence in order.” Defendant: “If you will caution all of the neighbours at Lowry Bay not to get at the bull behind my back, I will put up an impregnable fence within a week.” The was adjourned for a fortnight, and defendant was ordered to pay costs.