KAITANGATA COURT

Otago Witness, Issue 3231, 16 February 1916, Page 3

KAITANGATA COURT

TnrjKsrAY, Febetjabt 10. (Boforo Mr 11. A. Young, S.M.) Robert Wilson was charged with failing to render personal service under the Defence Act between May and October last year.— Regimental iSorgeant-major Shortal gave evidence as to tlie defendant being on tho untrained list for some time. —Tho magistrate said ho considered the defendant was evading his duty, and imposed a fino of £5 and costs (16s 6J). Charles A. Capamagian was charged with being in possession of flounders under 9in in length at Port Moiyneux on January 9. Mr Cullen appeared for the department, and said defendant had 16 undersized fish when discovered. While the regular fishermen observed the law, others sometimes did not seem, particular.—Mr Stewart, for the defendant, pointed out that his client had taken the fish quite openly, and there had been no intention to commit a breach of the law.—A fine of £1 and costs (17s 9d) was inflicted. Agnes Thomson, on the information _of Christina Gilmour, was. charged with using insulting and provoking language, wherefore complainant asked that defendant be bound over to keep the peace.—Evidence was given by Peter Prescott and Isabella Piatt and the case was dismissed. William Townley, farmer, Inchclutha, pleaded guilty to cruelly ill-treating four draught horses by working them with sore shoulders. —The police said one animal had a running sore, and they altogether had 11 sores.—Townley was fined £lO and costs (14s 6d). Thomas Thomson, James Thomson, Peter Prescott, and James Sutton were charged with, on December 25, assaulting Joseph Gilmour. —Evidence was given by the complainant that ho was assaulted at 3 a.m. on tho date mentioned at his house in .Water street.—Christina. Gilmour, Jessie Hill, Jas. Wilson, and Constablo Mirtin also gave evidence. Tho latter said that complainant had complained to him on December 10 in relation to threats made to him. ami also on two or three other dates. Gilmour called at tho police station at 3 a.m. on December 25, and was then covered with blood, while Mrs Gilmour also had marks on her face. Witnes3'saw James Thomson, who refused to give any information. —Isabella Platts and each of the defendants gave evidence, Sutton, who pioved an amusing witness, saying that ho remembered nothing about tho affair except that he lost two teeth in tho business.—The magistrate rigorously condemned tho action of tho defendants, and stated that if slanderous statements had been made their remedy was in the civil court. J. and T. Thomson were fined £3 and costs each, Prescott and Sutton 10s and costs, and each wa3 ordered to pav tha solicitor's fep amounting to £1 Is,—Mr Rutherford appeared for the defendants, and Mr Stewart for complainant