ONEHUNGA R.M. COURT.—Wednesday.

New Zealand Herald, Issue XXI, 15 May 1884, Page 3

ONEHUNGA R.M. COURT. —Wednesday.

[Bofore Captain Jackson, E.M.] J Labceny.—Julius Dedenan was charged with stealing five bottles of brandy, from the Prince Albert Hotel, the property of Joaeph Bradley. The brandy was taken out of a whole case which was iu the billiardroom, and had not previously been opened. Some of the bottles had been found on the .premises occupied by prisoner. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month hard labour. ■ Cruelty to Animals. — Peter Doile, captain of the Stormbird, was oharged with oruelty in landing horses, Mr, Brassey appeared to proseoute. The defendant was absent, his vessel being at: sea. The question was whether the slingß used were suitable for the purpose. Sergeant Greene deposed! I was on'duty on the wh&rf when 119 horses were landedfrom the Stormbird into a punt. I previously warned the defendant that if rope slings-were used he would most likely be proceeded against. Tho defendant said he nad neither canvas slings nor horaV-bnies, and must land them in this way. Tho owner of tho horses was on board, and did not like the process, but , did not protest to the captain. The horses ,'were all broken in except two, and the 'stockman went'in amongst them in the

punt. Being landed' by the steam winoh, it would not take more than a minute in each cage. .'YV'. H. Jones, V.S., deposed j I have heard the ; last witness. I have not seen this particular, sling, bnt know the effect often produced by similar ones, whioh causes serious in j dries, but .more especially in young draught'horses,' and X am decidedly of opinion it is a cruel plan. • I saw two of 'the horses in the sale-yard afterwards,'and . saw abrasions of the skin, most probably t produced by this sling,' as they could hot have been done by' harness; TV. Kedgate, inspector to the society, deposed : I have had a large and varied experience in landing horses, and never saw rope .slings used. 1 saw two .of these horses in the sale-yard. Thoy had marks ; -which . might have been caused by this description of sling. For the defence Captain Daniels.deposed,: T[ ; have been trading on this coast for many years, and have had .a great deal.of experi - ence. Hope slings are always used in cases - where the "horses are either unbroken or rushing wildly in the hold. A-'canvas slingcan always be passed under the animal, bnt the difficulty is to fasten the chest strap and breeching, with othera rushing about. I have had two cases of broken 'legß within the last few years through men going into hold to fix slings. - His Worship said the use of rope slings was certainly cruel, land must be stopped. Defendant was fined 20s and costs," £4'l7s.—[Own Correspondent. M»y 14.] ■ - ' ' '