POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10335, 17 June 1895, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

{Continued from column 7.)

The accused pleaded guilty. — Sergeant Daffin stated that the assault was a serious one, the accused resisting and assaulting Constable Ryan when the latter arrested him on the charge for which ho bad been committed for trial. In tho struggle the accused bit the rim of the constable's left ear off, and if assistance had not been to hand the assault might havo had a serious ending. He called Dr. O'Carroll, -who atated that the back part of Constable Ryan's ear showed signs of having been eaten or bitton off. The damage would impair the constable's ear, and was certainly a disfigurement for life. The danger to the constable was not over yet, as erysipelas might supervene.—Mr Weston appeared for accused, and urged the Bench to deal as leniently with the accused as they could, for-a term of imprisonment meant ruin to the accused, who had a large carrying business into Tarata and Purangi. Ho also -pointed out that tho accused had been committed on a graver charge. — The Bench fined accused £10, and costs 19s Gd, in default 6 weeks' imprisonment. — Mr Weston asked for time to pay, and 14 days was allowed.

On the charge on which accused was committed, bail was allowed in two sureties. The Court rose.

Tho ordinary meeting of the Land Board was Meld to-day. By private letter received in Wanganui, the Herald learns that Mr W. F. Downes left Auckland for Sydney on Monday last, and was then in fairly good health. His very many friends in both Islands will be pleased to hear this. A petition to Parliament for religious instruction in tho public schools is now lying for signature at Miss Cottier's and Mr W. J. Shaw 'a office. lb P- G. Smith, architect, has a notict) to bricklayers in another column. Captain Edwin wired at 1.40 p.m. today :— " West to south and south-east gale, with rain and heavy eca, after ten hoars from now ; glass rise, and weather continue cold." A little girl, daughter of Mr S. LongStaff', of 801 l Block, died rathor suddenly on Sunday. An inquest was held to-day, when a verdict in accordance with the •vidence was retarn'sd.