CAT AND DOG DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

CAT AND DOG DISPUTE.

At Westminster Police Court, Margaret J. Collum, a young woman living at Raporten Koad, Fulham, appeared to an adjourned summons, at tho instance of the Inland KeveniK', to answer a charge of keeping two dogs without a licenne iu February last. Tho case excited considerable amusement, as tho defendant appeared in court with three dogs decorated with large tiea of Oxford blue ribbon, and was very loquacious during the examination of the witnesses for the Excise.— Mr. Powell, who prosecuted, reminded tho magistrate that the case had been adjourned for the defendant's attendance ; the evidence iu her absence having been given on a pro* vious occasion by a former lodger iu her house, a young man named James Knowles, to the effect that she kept live dogs in February last with three licenses. It seemed that there had been some dispute with Knowles about tho death of a favourite ca'j ; and his Worship on the last occasion remarked that the parties must have led " a cat-aud-dog life" —Knowles, recalled, said he was positivo that he saw five dogs on February 2 last; he observed one from tho bedroom window, and the others were in tho kitchen. Tho first time that he saw the dogs was in December.—The defendant : You are very clever, but you can't sec through a fourinch wall (laughter). You have done this because your wife couldn't keep a baby farm. —Mr. Partridge remarked that there had evidently been a quarrel between defendant ami the witness, but it wa3 unnecessary to go into it.— Defendant heredieplayed her dog 3 to the magistrate, and with much acerbity turned to a constable near her, and exclaimed, " Don't you kick her. Come here, ' Rowley.' I am not responsible, recollect, while I am hero in the court" (laughter).— Knowlee was further examined by tho magistrate, and on being pressed he eaid that he had paid his rent when living in the house to a Mi3s Adams, who lived with tho defendant. He could not swear ehe was not the owner of the dogs.— Mr. Partridge : I shall adjourn this case again for Miss. Adams to be summoned. She must attend with the present defendant.—Mr. Powell said both persons should be before the court on the next occasion. — Defendant : What am I to do about the two cats that M r. Knowles left behind him (laughter) ?—Mr. Partridge : Ask the Inspector of Nuisances. —Defendant: Thank you, your Worship ; I shall find him out. 1 can't afford to keep tho cats, and, what's more, I don't intend to (great laughter).—The case was then adjourned, defendant leading her doge out of court with a chain.