Cruelty To Horses, left, Mischief, Liquor

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1947, Page 6

Cruelty To Horses, left, Mischief, Liquor

(Special.) KAIKOHE, This Day. Electing summary hearing by the magistrate, Hemi Witehira, farmer, of Otaua, pleaded guilty to three charges of cruelty towards horses on his farm property at Otaua on July 4. ' It was stated by Sergeant H. Sargent, prosecuting, that accused had shot at the horses, which belonged to Mr Hira Rogers, while they were straying on his farm. Two of the horses had died from the shooting.

Mr Rogers had valued one of the horses at £4O. but accused considered its value was nearer £25, which sum he had offered by way of restitution. For Witehira, Mr H. F. Guy said his farm fences were in poor repair and had failed to keep out stock. Accused had been trying to secure fencing material to improve the fencing and maintain his herd in cream supply to the factory. FIRED TO FRIGHTEN The horses had continually entered his paddocks and destroyed winter feed, and he had not been able to keep them away with success. Finally, in desperation, he took a shotgun to them and fired at their rumps to frighten them effectually'. He also wanted their owner to know that they were giving serious offence. As he fired, one of the animals had swung sideways and caught the shot in the belly.

The magistrate warned accused that he could not take firearms to straying animals. Next time he would be sent to gaol. He was fined £lO and £5 on two of the charges and was convicted and discharged on the third. He was given time to pay. FOOTBALL GROUND OFFENCES Whitelaw Apiata, also known as Matty Whitelaw, 35, of Oromahoe, was fined a total of £4/10/-, plus £ 1/8/court costs, for various offences at Kaikohe football grounds on July 12. Accused, who did not appear, was charged with having used obscene language to the gatekeeper, with having entered the grounds without paying the legal admission, and with having assaulted two bystanders, B. D. Mclsaac and li. Green.

Constable H. B. Allsopp, in evidence, stated that accused was about 20 stone in weight and was known for going to football matches to look for trouble. “Well, he has found it this time,” commented the magistrate, pronouncing the fines.