NOVEL ANGLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9115, 21 December 1907, Page 4

NOVEL ANGLING.

CHARGE AGAINST A CORONER. [From Otjb Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, December 20. The Auckland City Coroner, Mr Thomas Gresharn, appeared to-day in a ■new role, having been called upon in the Police Court to answer a charge of cruelty to animals, at the instance of the Society which protects the dumb kingdom. It appears that the Coroner, has rather advanced ideas on the subject of how to punish dogs who break through fences. The accusation levelled against Mr Gresham was that of having cruelly ill-treated a dog on December 8, by hooking it with a fishhook. Mr Mays asked for an adjournment on behalf of Mr Prendergast, the defending solicitor. He said he understood the case was one which Mr Gresham was desirous of making a test case, and as Mr Prendergast was occupied that morning at the Supreme Court it would be impossible for him to go on with it. Mr Brookfield (representing the Society) : I will agree to the adjournment but only on certain conditions. We do not mind Mr Gresham testing tha case, but it must bo understood that in the meantime he does not test any more fish-hooks on dogs' ears. Mr Kettle, S.M. : Is there any di&pute as to the facts ? Mr Brookfield : I understand not. Mr Mays: Mr. Gresham is not here because of a Coroner's inquiry he is at present holding. Mr Kettle: Oh. So it is the Coroner, is it? Mr Brookfield <drily) : Yes, it is the Coroner, and notwithstanding that fact we must have Mr May's assurance that the fish-hooking practice will not be continued. Mr Kettle: No more fish-hooks, eh? Mr Mays hereupon modestly disclaimed any connection with the case. Mr Prendergaet must do the undertakMr Brookfield again insisted that the particular variety of angling accredited to Mr Gresham in the information must be discontinued, test or no test. The Society existed to protect animals, and the hooks in question were put in a fence to capture dogs. They were not going to allow that sort of thing to continue if they could help it. Mr Mays said he thought that Mr Prendergast would, no doubt'^ obtain the removal of the hooks until such time as the case was decided, and with this undertaking an. adjournment was made to January 13.