DUNEDIN POLICE COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 27

DUNEDIN POLICE COURT.

Monday, August 4. (Before Mr 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M.) CrUfelty to Anfmals.—Abraham Alexander Geary pleaded guilty to having illtreated a horsa on July 23. Mr Paterson, who appeared for tho Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that on the date in question the defendant, in endeavouring to help tho driver of a jibbing horse, caught hold of the animal’s tongue and pulled it in such a way that it became lacerated, and consequently tho horse had not been able to eat for somo days, its throat and tongue being badly swollen. Ho asked tho court to exerciso such leniency towards tho defendant as it could in tho circumstances, and only to imposo such a penalty as would act as deterrent in tho future. —Mr Snowball, vetinary surgeon to tho Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, gavo evidence as to the injuries by tho horse.—The defendant was fined £2, with court costs (11s), witness's expenses (10s), and solicitor’s fee (£1 Is). Alleged Theft.—William James Matthews was charged with having on April 15 absconded from tho license and service of James George Cruickshanke. of Weraroa, and also with, on July 28, stealing an overcoat and a pair of boots, valued nl £1 13s, tho property of Charles Rumble. —The accused pleaded guilty. Matthews and John Smith were jointly charged with having on or about July 22 at Dunedin stolen a set of sis Edison earthenware colls, valued at £3 10s, the property of a Mr Simmonds. —Chief Detective Herbert said tho accused wore arrested on Saturday, and ns there were a large number of other offences which had been partially traced to the accused and with which they would be charged, ho would ask for a remand until Friday.—Tho application was granted. —Mr Lemon, jun., asked for bail for Smith, which was granted, himself in £SO, and two sureties in £25 each. Defence Cases.—J. Fitzpatrick was fined 20s, with costs, for failing to render personal service in terms of tho Defence Act. —N. H. Bell, who did not appear but who sent medical certificates stating Ids physical unfitness to attend the Sutton camp, was fined 10s, with costs. —J. A. D. Sparrow and J. J. Dick, who had not attended any parades and who did not appear, woro each fined £2, with costs, and A. Davis, who was convicted on February 10 for a similar offence, was fined £3, with costs. This defendant also failed to attend tho court.