UNKNOWN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3490, 18 June 1879, Page 4

UNKNOWN

At tho Rungiora Magistrate's Court yeßterday, before Messrs Whitefoord : and Cunnings Garret", Fitzgert»ld, s^txd ( Jamea Boaoh were charged with pouringjoil v on a dog and setting fire to it. j . .';• Mr Inspector Buckley asked that the charge \ .against Boaoh might be withdrawn; to allow '; , of his being called as a witness; j , ; r Sergeant Pratt said he had seen a notice! in -; one of the papers of a dog having been cruelly ( treated, and at onco proceeded to moke , j enquiries. Ho went to Fitzgorald, who told t , ' him that the three accused hod poured keroV,[ sene on the dog, and had then set the animal „.','■ on fire. Witness saw Watkins, who denied .7 all knowledge of the act. They^ did not say . ■; where the dog came from, but witness learnt 1 that the dog frequented Mr , Xuxtoh's , premises, nearly opposite the Church of Eng- : land. j '.'.. James Booch said he was at work at the ' same Bhop as the oilier two lads. Recollected , . a dog coming on to the premises, which did not belong there, at about half-past seven in the evening on the day named in the information. Witness and the two accused were together. Tho iW was taken into the wash- , house, and they put about three spoonfulls of , kerosene on the dog's tail, and Wathins then . put the candle under it and set light to the hair. The dog did not go away, and Fitz- . gerold brought him back, when witness poured some more kerosene on hU tail while , \ Fitzgerald held him. Witness then set the _ dog on fife, and the dog ran straight down the road by the Church. They did not know who . owned the dog. He had long grey hair, and was like a cattle dog. The second time they , ■ put oil on his back as well as on his tail. John Harris, baker, working for Mr J. Sansom, said that on Juno 2 he saw something , run through the yard which he thought was a . flash of lightning. Went out and saw the ' dog on fire, and put the horse-cloth over the .. dog which put out. the flames, and this being ', done the dog went away. Did. not know anything about the dog. . .' The two accused having, in answer to the . Bench, admitted the offence, the Magistrate said that an Act dad been passed at laßt 1 session of the Legislnturo which provided two i penalties for this olt'ence, viz., a fine of £20 or six months' imprisonment. He had no hesitation in eajinn that if the accused were , older he should inilicfc the heaviest penalty, but being lads he would like to take time to consider what he should do with them. Ho wished the Act provided for flogging, as he considered that that would be a more fitting ■punishment than any that could be administ ered. The offence was not only a mast cruel one, but also extremely dangerous to the ' community, and by it not only_ pro- . ..perty might be destroyed, but life be .'. hazarded. .Ho would, however, adjourn the t case to allow time for, him to consider the , sentence and, to consult with his brother 'Magistrate who had heard the case with him. ..He again remarked that he wishod the Act provided far tho administration of a flogging, V that , being the moat appropriate punishment that could be made for such an offence.

- Mr William H. Luxton signed a bond for £25, as security for the attendance of the ' lads Watkins and Fitzgerald.