LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7786, 4 November 1886, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT.— Wednesday. [Before Messrs. J. P. King, E. Jsancs, and H. M. Jenri», J.P.e]. ... Drunkenness.—A man and a woman were fined 5s and costs for this offence. Alleged Uttbbino a Fobged Cheque.— John Grant Forsythe who was apprehended on warrant in Sydney, appeared on remand on the oharge of uttering a forged cheque for £3 5s on the Bank of .New Zealand, purporting to be signed by Michael Corcoran on June 16. Aβ there were other charges against the accused likely to come on he was remanded till next day (Thursday). Wife De&eetion.—John Thomas Smith, charged with leaving hie wife without adequate means of support, was remanded till Saturday, November 6. A Butchee's Qdasbbl.John Coleman, adjourned from Tuesday, was charged with assaulting John Tottenham, by striking him on the head with his olenohed fist, on the 26 th October. Mr. W. J. Napier prosecuted, and Mr. J. O'Meaghar appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. It seemed the parties were the employe's of rival butchers in Karangahape Road, Totten- • ham being employed at P. Gray's, and defendant at W. 8. Pagan's. It appeared that the prosecutor was a very " simpleminded" young man, according to the opinion of counsel; and proseoutor having cause to pass Fagan'a shop on Tuesday, October 26, Coleman made use of insulting language, calling him " Sausage Jack," and that he was getting " awfully smart of late." He challenged the prosecutor to fight, to which Tottenham replied that he did not deal in such a thing as fighting. Prosecutor returned in about five minutes, when he was again etuok up and Colemau would not allow him to pats. Defendant hauled off and dealt him a blow on the head. He gave no provocation, and all he said was that he would make him pay for it. Defendant replied that he would put suoh a big head on him that he could not go into Court. George Wells, another employ 4, and Philip Gray, butcher, were also examined. In defence, Mr. O'Meagher contended that the blood-curdling opening of his friend as to Tottenham's ear having bled for 24 hours was not true. It was purely a oase where a man who would not fight had resorted to using his tongue by "nagging." Defendant was examined, giving a denial to the prosecutor's allegations. vV illiam S. Fagan gave evidence as to Tottenham having raised a steel to strike him on the head without any provocation. James Galvin, slaughterman, heard Benshaw s*y he was going to set Tottenham on to Coleman to give him a hiding, William Earl, grocer, stated that Tottenham was continually inciting defendant to strike him. Charles Fisher gave evidence as to the occurrence. The Bench considered that a great deal of animus had been shown on both sides, and they were of opinion that Coleman had not spoken the truth, but as it was a tradesman's quarrel the case would be dismissed, each side to pay their own costs.