MAGISTRATES' COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1058, 27 September 1901, Page 4

MAGISTRATES' COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Tuesday— (Before Mr H. VV. Northcroft, S.M.) CHARGE OF VAGRANCY. Police v. Kirkness.— The defendant, a well-dressed young nmn, was charged on the information of Constable Hyde, of Poro-o-tarao, King Country, with being an idle and disorderly person without visible lawful means of support. Mr Bwarbrick appeared for the accused. The constable stated that he had known the accused over since he came to the King Country, who left the co-operative works in May last and had done no work ninoe, Saw him in Taumaruuui about a month ago and asked him when ho was going to work, and that if he did not make a shift soon he would be had up as a vagrant. The accused and other like characters were a great trouble in the King Country with their sly glog shanties. Thu men on the Main Trunk Line work from month to month, and when they get their pay are decoyed into these shanties where they are soon made drunk, and in the morning find themselves landed outside and all their money gone. The accused am l his elass were a terror to the places in the King Country where there is no pi liceman., The accused, who has only ono hand, gave evidence, and produced several documents and receipts showing that he had been horso-breakiug and dealing since he left the works. He was brought up as a miner at Westport, where he lost his hand by a dynamite explosion. He denied selling slv grog or getting barrels of beer from Innes and Co. After hearing some further evidence the Magistrate dismissed the information. Teara Te Hoke was charged with assaulting his wife Eelreta Purata. Mr Collins appeared for the informant, and Mr Swarbrick for the defence. After hearing the evidence of the natives on both sides, His Worship said it was hard for him to decide. The matter would be adjourned for one month in order to see what would transpire in the mean time. A native named Tawhera was charged with cruelly ill-treating four pigs by tieing them up by the hind legs for four days without food, water or shelter. The accused was not present. The constable stated that he was informed chat the pigs were tied for nine days, and when found the rope had cut ihe flesh. The accused wrote a letter to the Magistrate saying that it was on account ot the poison being laid that he caught the pigs. They were fed twice a day on uncooked potatoes which contained a lot of water, He never saw a notice that pigs were not to be tied by the hind legs, and hud let them go when the policeman requested him. The constable said it was a case of cruelty, and His Worship fined accused £1 and costa £2 9s. CIVIL CASES. North v. Ricket: This was a claim for £3 19s 9d for bricks alleged to have been supplied to the defendant. Mr Collins appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Swarbrick for the defendant, who pleaded not indebted. The plaintiff stated that an order came to him through one of his sous from the defendant who was building a place for Father Croko at Kihikihi. The bricks were carted away by Father Croke's people. Some twelve months after defendant informed him that the bricks were for Father Croke. He rendered the account to Father Croke, who returned it repudiating any liability. In order to settle any trouble he offered to take half, but defendant refused.—A. H. North, son of the plaintiff, deposed that he resided at the brick yard. Was there when Long and Coyle came for the bricks. Entered them to Rickey. They said that the bricks were for Father Croke’s job. At the time defendant engaged him to build the chimney he told him there would be old bricks. Defendant stated that he remembered making arrangements with Father Croke for the removing of the old workshop. He was to give him a rough estimate of the price. The price given for the chimney was for lime, cement, and the labour of building. Father Croke did not deliver the old bricks. The new ones erne on the ground. Did not know who carted them. Did not send anybody for the bricks. Had nothing to do with the bricks, Father Croke was liable for them. Could not make up the estimate at the moment showing how the total was made. His Worship iu giving judgment said he must non-suit the plaintiff but would use his discretionary power and would not allow Costs. The plaintiff and his son hud given their evidence in a very straight forward manner. Hitiri v Houston,—The evidence in this case which was a dispute of £lO, over a deal in cattle was all heard last Court day when the Magistrate reserved his decision, After going through the matter carefully he was now of opinion that plaintiff must get judgement for the amount claimed and costa £ll 15s, Hetet v. Te Akau.— Claim £l6 4s Id tor pigs supplied.—Mr Swarbrick appeared for the plaintiff and there was no appearance of the defendant. —Judgment for amount claimed and costa £2 10s fid, Green and Colebrook, for whom Mr Collins appeared, got judgment as follows :—Hill, claim £8 13s 9d, coats £2 Is; Jones, £8 15s Bd, costs £3 ; Dance, £l6 19s 3d, and costs £2 8s; M. Lee, £l4 5s fid, and costs £3 3s ; Gotty. £6 5s 9d, and costs £2 Is ; Armstrong, £4 15s 3d, and costs £1 T\ fid ; McDonald, £5 7s 9d, and costs £2 Is; C. Box, £lO 8s 2d, and costs £3 sa; J. McCarthy, £4 8s 4d, and costs 12s (id ; Wilson add Hopkins, £6 3s 9d, and coats £3 17a. Mowbray v. Watson : Claim £lO 17s fid, amount of a promissory note.—Mr Collins appeared for plaintiff,—Judgment for amount claimed and costs £1 10s fid.