MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 912, 3 September 1910, Page 15

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M.) , TROUBLE-OVER A DOC. : "ZOO" KEEPERS CALLED OUT. ! Frederick Swam and Charles Swain were charged with assaulting John ■Langridge on August 7. . Chas. Swain, a pale-fac»:d . yuuth in knickerbockers, pleaded not guilty. ■ His brother, before pleading, asked if catching hold of a inan to make him let go 'one's dog would constitute an assault. His Worship said that remained for the evidence to show. A plea of not'guilty was entered. ~ " .''■'"■.'•■ ' The City, Solicitor : (Mr. 'J.' O'Shea), who appeared for .the prosecution, called John Langridge, who said that he was an assistant-keeper at the "Zoo." On the day in question he saw the dog, and, as it had no collar on, he asked defendants if ib was registered. He had no uniform to show that he was a keepur of the "Zoo," but defendants knew that ho whs a keeper; Ther« was a by-law which prohibited doga from being in Newtown Park unless on the chaiii, and, in consequence of this by-law, Langriclge went to take hold of this dog. Defendants tried to 'set tho dog on him, and, when ho caught tho dog in a noose; they set upon him (Langridge), caught him by the throat, and pushed him over. A small boy standing hard by summoned other keepers, and, eventually, the defendants were overpowered, but at the time they refused to' give • their names. Three other witnesses for the prosecution were in Court, but were not called. Defendants, without going into tho box, denied knowledge that Langridge was a keeper. Both defendants stated that Charles Swain never laid a hand on Langridge. Chas. Swain said that the dog was a great, favourite with them, and it was only when Lahgndgu lifted .it off tho ground in the noose, and appeared likely to strangle it, that, his brothor interposed, while ho himself, had only prevented another keeper from assisting Langri'dgo against liis brother, as the odds would have been two to one. In answer to the Magistrate/-Freder-ick Swain said that ho was an engineer earning 255. a week. Charles Swain stated that ho was a sigiiwritor earning 10s. a week, and they both had to help to keep their mother. : His Worship remarked that defendants would have to bo taught to curb their haughtiness. -Each would bo lined 10a. Had they be-on in better circumstances he might luivo fined them four times as much. The detaultwas lixed at twenty-four hours' imprisonment.

NAVICULAR DISEASE, ; : ' : William Alfred .Drown, a , : grocer, wns nharged with nruolly ill-trnnting a horst by allowing it to work while in tui unfit

condition 'on' August. 24. "' '■'Accused" did not appear, but sent in a written statement, admitting tho charge. Sub-Inspector Norwood, who conducted tho prosecution, , said that the horso was noticed .by Constable Willets on tho date m question, and was in very poor condition. It had been caught in the paddock by a youth of seventeen, and was being harnessed up to take a load to Crofton. The youth stated that it was given a feed when worked, and that if had only been worked throe or four, times in tho last few months. A veterinary surgeon was called in to see the animal, and he or-, dered its immediate destruction. The animal had sore withers, navicular diseaso, wounds on the logs, and was haunted by parasites. Defendant had stated that ho. did not know tho condition of the horse, but the inspector of the b.l .C.A. had warned him about working it. .His Worship imposed a fine of £1, with costs totalling £1 7s. 6d., in default seven days' imprisonment. Fourteen days was allowed in which to find the. money., ■ ... . - ; •

THROUGH KILBIRNIE TUNNEL. John Allan and Timothy O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to a charge that on August 23 they unlawfully walked through

tlio Kilbirnie tunnel without - permission from the City Council. The City Solicitor (Mv.. J. O'Shea) did , not'press for a line', , as'ho'said ho understood that olio of tho men ' was ..without moans. Each of tho defendants'was convicted' and discharged.

INSOBRIETY. Two first-offending inebriates were convicted and discharged.