Police Court

Southland Times, Issue 19115, 4 August 1903, Page 3

Police Court

MONDAY 3rd AUCI'ST Before Mr S. K. McCarthy, S.M. DISORDERLINESS. William McLean, from C.rove Bush, pleaded guilty to charges of druckenness resisting a constable, using indecent language, and wilfully damaging n constable's coat.— Mr Stout, for accused, said thai he hud come from the country and put up at an hotel, whore hehad got drunk on Saturday All he remembered was being arrested and having a scrimmage with the constable. It was not a case of a man being habitually drunk • this w«s the first time accused had been before the Court.— The Inspector said that it was not such a mud case as counsel had tried to make out. The accused had been given an opportunity to go home before the constable arrested him, b"t had refused. When the constable made an effort to bring him to the station, he endeavoured to assault him, and made use of most filthy and disgusting language in the hearing o( females. — Accused was convicted and .discharged for drunkenness and resisting the constable, was fined £5, costs Bs, for using indecent language, and £2 and damages £2 5s for damaging the constable's coat. Hugh Crilly and Hugh McLoori wer« separately charged with behaving in a : disorderly manner in Esk street on Saturday night at It) p.m. The. evidence pi Constables Homes and Powell was to th 8 "fleet that the accused were fighting outside the Railway Hotel. They wer§ neparated, and given an opportunity to -o away but started again: When brought to the station it was with the utmost difficulty that they were prevented from having another bout. Both were under the influence of liquor.— CnlIV stated that McLeod. who was a prohibited person, had asked him to shout, and on being refused, provoked him 'Crilly) by calling him a vile nameBoth accused were fined £2 and costs, in default, seven days' imprisonment. STREET •• SINGING " \V. Allison and Stanley McCash. two youn<T men. were charged with committing a breach of the borough bylaws by behaving in a disorderly manner in the oublic streets.— Mr .Stout appeared foi Allison ; McCash pleaded guilty to humming an air. Evidence was given by Constable Homes th.at he saw the ac--1 cused in Dee street about 11 p. in on Thursday, 23rd ult. They were in company with another \ourig fellow, who was considerably under the influence ol liquor. The three walked along Dee street together, and there was some shouting and yelling— a bad imitation of ■v Maori haka. At Tay street the third young fellow went away, the accused proceeding up Tay street, behaving in a similar manner— Constable Reidy said that he met the accused in "Jay street. They had both evidently had drink, and were shouting and yelling like '' l<ansheeS." Witness spoke to them, fl nd they desisted at once. For .the detence McCash gave evidence that h e did alone 'the •' singiug " part. Allison corroborated this, alleging that all he did was ! to beat time to the others music Both denied that they were habitually a trouble to the police, though Allison admitted having been previously fined.-- 1 ho Magistrate discharged Allison, and iintiosed a fine of 20s and costs on MeCaSh ' DRUNKENNESS. A first offender was fined 20s and cost* for drunkenness, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. CARE OF A HORSE. A. McFarlano was charged vilh failing to provide sufficient food, .md sufhcient nnd proper shelter for his horse - Mr Stout for defendant, who pleaded •' Not guilty." Evidence was given that the mare was kept in one vt tin: Turk paddocks at Avenal. The ofcufe khs al- , leged to have taken place about .July ] Lbth during severe frost. Jt was alleged that the mare was in poor condition, was without covering or -.ii.-IU-r and was insufficiently fed. Constable fc-nieihon said that he found the ani'ual i>> poor condition. From tlu appciiuuice of the ground she had struggled •ihout tor a distance of 22 yards. Ino (.round was wet and muddy, and though th.. c were several sacks about none were put on her The trees in the paddock <:i<s not afford any shelter, as the io'.er branches were all "cut away, and a draught, ci.me through. Witness was of opinion that death was caused by exposure and starvation.—For the defence, Mr stout said that the mare was 2(5 years old al least and had only been in detendant s possession for about four months. She had practically done no work, (.hough she had been harnessed up now q.nd upaln. She was in poor condition when tleipuciand bought her, and as he did not really require her he turned her out. She was subject to colic, and had already had three attacks, for which the veterinaiy surgeon was called in 1 rom all appearances it was very probable that an attack of colic, coupled with the severe weather, carried her ofi. The defendant had taken steps to see the horse properly attended ' to when he lirst became aware of the position, and iood was taken to the paddock, and sacks put over her.— The Magistrate said that at this season there was very little feed in the paddock, and an old mare would not be able to take much advantage of what there was. Every horse paddocked near the town should be provided with a cover. Although defendant had not been heartless, h,e had neglected to provide proper food ai)d shelter, rined L 2 and costs.