Magistrate’s Court.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1678, 25 February 1885, Page 2

Magistrate’s Court.

GREYTOWN—WEDNESDAY. Before H. S. Wardell R.M. a- 1 S. Revan*, J. P. W. C. Nation vJ, Crawfoid. Claim Ms for printing. Judgment f-.r pi >-n' iff default with Uis cost. W. C. Nation v R. Cimvford. Claim £7 for dishonored bill. Judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed, w.iii costs. J. Tally vH. Wi ;ia us. Claim £2 6« invent. Judgment lor amount claimed, with costs 275.

CARTERTON—WEDNESDAY. Before H. S. Warden Esq., R.M. and Burio' 1 Boys, J. P. James Sinnox, a young man, was clmiy.-d with disturbing a congregation of the San. ■ tion Army held in the Town Hull on 'Jhurtday, February 17ih. Mr Bandilamis appeared for the prosecution Mr Baaed for the ut!( nee. Accused pleaded not guilty. There wete three charges against defendant. The piosecutor, Mr Edwd. H. Grigg. said he was u journalist residing at Carterton; ho hand the hall for a meeting of the Salvation Army on this particular occasion. Prior to the meeting the defendant came to him and titled why he had been saying certain things s.Lout him (the defendant) and damaging hisc-baiac-ter, and threatened to punch protecutot’s head. Great excitement was on the whole of the meeting. Defendant came up to him, swore at him, took off his coat and offered to fight him. The officers were at the time engaged in prayer, and the conduct of defendant was such as to cause the greatest excitement. The object of defendant was evidently to bring about an assault. This continued more or less the whole of the evening, and defendant refused to leave when asked.

In reply to Mr Beard, prosecutor said defendant was there before the meeting commenced, but could pot say how soon defendant came iu. Was sure, from defendant’s previous conduct, he meant to make a row. Had never threatened to make it wuim for him, if ever he came into the hull. ’J he meeting did take place, hut had to be eventually stopped owing to the noise. Prosecutor did, himself, take part in the service, but most of the time prosecutor was engaged iu attempting to keep order. Percy Dixon said he was a baker in Carterton. Was at a meeting held in the public hall on the night of Tuesday. Knew Sinnox, and saw him at the meeting, baw Grigg there, and saw Grigg and binnoz together, and beard Sinnox use oaths to prosecutor. Defendant also half pulled his coat off to witness. In consequence of defendant's conduct the meeting had to be closed.

Phillip Davis, farmer, residing near Carterton, was present at the mot ting held in the hall last Tuesday. Heard defendant call Grigg afoul name, and oiler to fight him. This was just as the service was closing. There were plenty of rotten eggs hying about, but would not say Sinuox thiew any, but was quite sure that ho himself got the benefit of one. Was sure that it would not be able to hold the prayer meeting as the rotten eggs came pouring in. Mr Beard addressed the Court < n behalf of the defendant, Sinnox, considering that the language used by defendant uidnoL camo the disturbance, as it was used personally to Grigg. His Worship summed up in a most emphatic manner, and inflicted a penalty of L 5 and costs. Malcolm Nicholson was [charged with throwing rotten eggs at a meeting of the Salvation Army on the night of Febrnmy 17. His Worship suggested at this stage that the warning might be considered sufficient, and thought that if defendant paid all costa that these cases migln bo withdrawn. William Bidgwny was cbm go., by Edward Henderson Giigg with assMibing him wh'lo in procession with Hie halation Army on 1 Tuesday weak last. Mi Samlilauds for prosecution, and Mr Beard for the defence. The complainant deposed that ho was a full corpora) in the Salvation Army, and wliiie walking up the main street, CaiteUou, on tire date in question was struck by a stone thrown by defendant. To Mr Beard—The stone was a soft one. Percy Dixon, a soldier of the army, corroboruted the evidence of Corporal (irigg to a certain extent, but was not sure as to who ihrew the missile. To Mr Beard—Was quite sure it was not a potato. The assault occurred opposite the Bank of New Zealand. Mr Grigg crossed the road and charged defendant witit throwing a stone, which ho denied. Mr Beard cross examined the witness at great length, Hugh Hanna and William Sewell, who were in the company of the accused on the occasion in question, were examined by Mr Beard and cross examined very minutely by Mr Saudilauds. The defendant was also sworn and the three witnesses for the defence all positively denied as to having seen the defendant throw any missies, the defendant averring, “ I never did in my life.” Mr Board said if the Bench thought it desirable he would call a wiiness to prove that be saw an entirely different person throw the object complained of. The Bench did not think it necessary, and dismissed the charge with costs.

CIVIL CASKS. Constable Darby vM. Ryan ; cruelty to a horse. Fined Lo, or 14 days' imprisonment. Burrow v J. Hume ; claim LM 12s, interests on a mortgage of LIOOO. After some con- ’ sidorable evidence was taken as to the relative value of certain properties, the case was settled in favor of the defendant.