MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1202, 15 March 1895, Page 33

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

A rather peculiar case was heard by Mr Martin, S.M., in the. Magistrate’s Court on Friday, when Alfred George Boardman was charged with assaulting George Peck, assistant bailiff at the Magistrate’s Court. Mr Young appeared for the informant, who stated that as he was driving along Tinakori road on Saturday night last on his way to serve defendant with a summons, he met him and served the summons upon him. Defendant caught hold of him, twisted him ; round, and said if his ( witness’) wife had not been then in the trap he would have knocked his head off. Defendant, being sworn, 'said that defendant drcve up to him, jumped out of the trap in a hurry, and hauled out a summons which he tried to serve in the presence of a number, of people. Witness was much annoyed at Peck’s action, and placed his hands on him, but did not hurt him. The summons was from the City Council for a disputed amount. His Worship pointed out that defendant had rendered himself liable to a .fine of <£2o. He would be fined 20s, with costs <£l Bs. Further evidence in the case in which Albert Fernandez is charged vt

a watch belonging to George K. Hart Was taken before Messrs C. T. Kichardson and G. H. Harbroe, Justices, on Friday afternoon. Accused was further charged with, stealing a watch belonging to a man named Savage, and was committed for trial on bo,th charges, bail being fixed at two sureties of .£3O each.

Mr Martin, S.M., presided at Friday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. Three first-offending drunkards were dealt rvith in the usual manner, and James O’Brien, who made bis third appearance on that charge, was fined 40s, or seven days’ hard labour in default. James Galvin pleaded guilty of driving a cart without lights, and was fined ss, with 7s costs. Thomas Woodward, charged with moving a vehicle on the wharf weighing more than 2.1 tons, was convicted and ordered to pay costs, 9s. Mr Skerrett appeared for the defendant. Walter Edmunds, cabman, was charged with soliciting employment on the platform of the Manawatu Kailway Station on the 21st February. Mr Travers appeared for the Company and Mr Poynton for the defendant. His Worship dismissed the case. On the application of Mr Young, His Worship made an order of protection against Henry Weaver in favour of Mrs Weaver, with custody of the children. Alexander McKay was ordered to pay 7s 6d a week and William McKay 5s a week towar d the support of their father, Alexander McKay, senr., the first payment to be made on the 15th insfc.

A young man named Charles Smith was charged at the Magistrate’s Court on Friday with gross cruelty to a cow. Mr Young appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Mr Bolton appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. The defendant, who is in the employ of Mr Fitchett, Ohiro, was alleged to have poured boiling water on the animal’s back, with the result that all its hair came off. For

the defence it was alleged that as the cow was suffering from inflammation, warm water was applied for its relief, but it was denied that the water used was boiling. A considerable quantity of 1 evidence was heard, and His Worship reserved his decision until next morning, when his Worship said there was no evidence to show that boiling water had been thrown on the animal, or of any desire on the part of defendant to inflict pain, his evident intention being to relieve it from the pains of inflammation. At the same time he wished to mention that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was accomplishing good work, and was justified, with the information at its disposal, in laying the information. The case would be dismissed without costs. Dunedin, March 8. In the case of the police against Tilburn, for refusing admission to the police to the Shamrock Hotel after hours, Mr Carew, S.M., found the case proved, and that theie was a designed arrangement by which the entry of the police was delayed. The defendant was fined the maximum penalty of £5 and costs. Wanganui, March 12. William Moir was convicted of illicit liquor selling at the Karioi races, and fined ,£2O, with cos is .£l2 9s 8d; in default one month’s hard labour. David Creech was charged with illegally exposing liquor for sale at Karioi at the same time, but the information was dismissed without prejudice.