ASHBURTON—FRIDAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1486, 18 February 1887, Page 3

ASHBURTON— FRIDAY.

(Before Mr H. 0. S. Baddeley. R.M , and MrD. Thomas, J. P.) OXTIL CASES. Ross v Oomptou claim £14 1 83, on a judgment summons. Mr Purnel! for plaintiff, Mr Crisp for defendant. After the defendant had been examined at length as to bis means, the Ben oh made an order that the amount be paid m two monthly instalments, In default, two Jttootbi Imprisonment. CRUELTY. John Gilchriet was charged with cruelly illtreating a horsa by riding the same when the animal was not m a fit state to be ridden — Constable Reiner said that he found the defendant's horse to the suffering from ohronio lameness. The defendant, who was drunk at the time, made a statement with reference to the shoeing of the animal which witness had subsequently found to be not oorreot. The hone wh suffering from ringbone •nd wm In great pain— E Cookson, had examined the horse and found it to ba suffering from ringbone. To ride the animal m Its present state would cause It great pafn. If the defendant bad liked he could have walked much faster than could the horsa, 10 no time was gaioad by tiding It.— G, F. Scott had examined the horse and found it suffering from ringbone. He also believed, it was foundered In the chest. It would be oruelty to the animal to ride it m its present condition, as any movement caused It pain. — The defendant aaidihat he was simply taking the horse to (he blacksmith to get theshoea taken off. He admitted having committed an error of judgment m riding the horse, but he had no intention of cruelly using it as he was as fond of the horse as of a friend. — The .Magistrate said that the defendant bad m»de use of the same expression with regard to a dog whtoh he kicked to death some time ago.— The defendant remarked that there were plenty of men m the body of the 0 <urt wbo could bear witness to tha love he bore for bis horse.

GilchrUt was also oharged with drunkenness. The evidence of the police was taken.— For the defence B. L Oorrbie *ald that Gilchrist waa m his company on the afternoon of the arreit, from balf-past three till nearly five, fie had come beer, bat he was neither drank nor approaching it. With reference to the home, the witness said that he told Gilchrist that the animal was rot m a fit •ta>e to be ridden, it being suffering from ringbone. Gilcbrlst admitted this, bat ■aid that he was going to a blacksmith t<> have some shoes which had been pat on that morning removed— -J Totty raid that he had had the horoe fired for the defendant about four months ago, and thtt then it had been turned oat. — In reply to the Benob, the wltnees said It was not prcpor to ride a horse euffaring from ringbone.- The charge of drunkenness was dismissed, and • fine of £5 with the alternative of one month's imprisonment was inflicted la that of cruelty. The Bench, addressing Gilchriat, said that the fact of his being brought np bo coon after having been convicted of a very gross oase — such a bad case, perhaps, never having occurred In the colony before — Bhowed that he must be a balf Bavage. and when be would perform raoh actions whdn sober they were proof of wtat he would do when tantalised by drink. The present case, though bad enough, ould mt be mentioned In the same breath with that of which Gilcbrist bad been previously convicted, still it went to show that he was not fit to be trusted with the care of any animal —not even a wild beast.— The polfce •sked If the Court woald make any order for the disposal of tho b.orse. —It was arranged that Gilchriat should deliver the hor.Be to some of his thuds, who v-oulci undertake that It should not be worked.