RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5303, 8 March 1884, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Fbiday, Mabch Bth, 1884. (Before R. Ward. Esq., R.M.) OBSTRUCTING THE HIGHWAY.

Chas. McKenna was charged by Sergeant Bissett with tethering a horse in Niblett Street on the 24th of last month. Constable McClenaghan proved the offence, and the poundkeeper was called to prove the release of the animal. Fined 5s and costs 7s.

DOG REGISTBATION.

Major Lockefct was charged by W. C. Watkins with failing to register eight dogs belonging to him. — W. C. Watkins produced the certificate of his appointment as registrar of iiogs for the county. — W. Watkins, junr., deposed that he had called at Major Lockett's in the middle of February. He saw eight dogs, which Mrs Lockett said were Maori dogs. Two of them had since been registered. — By Major Lockett — Theie were 2 yellow bull dogs, brown and white bull dog 3 sheep dogs (1 black and white, and 2 black and tan), one brindled bull terrier, and one mongrel. — Major Lockett, being sworn, stated that he had only two collie dogs. Mrs Lockett promised to send down the money for these dogs, and since that time they have been registered. The brindled dog belonged to Mr Bowron, and was a town dog. The brown and white dog belonged to Mr Mann, Tokomaru, and a certificate was produced from him, stating this. His owner was staying on the run at the time of Mr Watkins' visit. About fifteen months ago they sold one' of the black and tan dogs to Mr McLoughlin, who worked on the run, and it had been running on the farm ever since. The other three did not belong to him any more than did twenty other dogs running about there. The dogs originally belonged to him, having been bred by his son. — His Worship read the Act dealing with the question of a person's being liable for a dog which has been running on his premises for 14 days. As he read the Act, it threw upon the " owner " the registration of the dogs, and the word " owner " was read (as defined by the Act) as being the person who permitted the dogs on his premises. — The case was thus given against Major Lockett, a fine of £1 and costs being inflicted, and an order was made for the registration of four dogs.