RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3546, 20 November 1882, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Day.

(Before Captain Preece, R.M.) THREATENING BEHAVIOUR,

Michael O'Connor and John Gardiner were separately charged on the information of Constable Laurenson with having, on the 18th instant, in Dalton-street, been guilty of threatening behaviour, whereby, a breach of the peace was occasioned.

Both the accused pleaded guilty. Constable Laurenson stated on oath that on Saturday night, about 11 o'clock, he heard screams proceeding from Dalton-street, and on proceeding thither be found the two prisoners. Gardiner was calling out, " Ob, he has bitten my ear." Witness examined Gardiner's ear, and found it cut and bleeding. He then arrested them both, and lodged them in the police station. In reply to the Court, Sergeant Burteoshaw said the prisoner Gardiner was unknown to the police ; O'Conner had been convicted once before.

The Court fined O'Connor £3 and costs 93, and Gardiner £1 and costs 9s, which amounts were duly paid.

BHEACH OF DOG REGISTRATION ACT,

Paromena One One, an aboriginal native residing at Longlands, was charged, on the information of John ColliDge, collector of dog tax for tbe Hawke's Bay County Council, with having had an unregistered dog in his possession. Tbe defendant admitted having had tbe dog, but said he was not informed that it must be registered

Mr Cotterill appeared on behalf of the Hawke's Bay County Council, and asked that evidence might be taken. It was the desire of the Council to enforce the Act with respect to natives, and the main object in view in bringing the present case was to show the natives that they cannot break the law with impunity but must pay dog taxes as well as their European neighbors. For this reaeon he would ask that a substantial penalty might be enforced. John Collinge was called and deposed that, in company with Mr Scruby, the manager of Longlands estate, he visited the defendant's pa. Witness asked to be allowed to see the dogs belonging to the natives, and Paromena said the natives would speak of the matter as soon as they had finished breakfast. When breakfast was over the natives refused to give any information whatever about tbe dogs, and walked away from witness. There were several dogs about, and witness shot one of them belongiag to Paromenß. That dog had no collar on it, and was not registered. It was not considered necessary to take the evidence of Mr Scruby.

The defendant made a statement alleging that the evidence of Mr Collinge was partly untrue. Instead of defendant being allowed time to talk quietly about the dogs Collinge levelled his gun at one of them and fired, there being a number of women and children about at the time.

His Worship said it was the duty of the natives to be acquainted with the law, and this particular Act had been in force quite long enough for them to know its provisions. They should register their dogs without any person requiring to call upon them. In this instance, however, only a light fine would be inflicted, but any further cases of a similar character that might come before the Court would be severely dealt with. Tbe defendant must pay a fine of 10s and 12s coßts, together with expenses of two witnesses £1 9s, and counsel's fee £1 Is ; in defaut of payment 14 days' imprisonment. His Worship expressed strong disapproval of tbe circumstances under which the dog was destroyed, as there was just a probability that it might have resulted in an accident or otherwise have led to trouble.

This concluded the business, and the Court rose.