Feilding H.M. Court.

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 34, 22 March 1884, Page 3

Feilding H.M. Court.

(Before D. H. Macarthur, and H. L. Sherwill, Esqs., J.P's. Friday, March 21st, 1884. Mrs J. Johnston, of Halcombe, was charged by Rasmus Anderson with assaulting him with an are on the 15th inst, at Halcombe. Another charge of rescuing a sow and five p-jtjs, impounded by the same Rasmus Anderson, was also made. Mr Staite appeared for the complainant and Mr Sandilands for the defendant. Mrs Johnston pleaded not guilty. Rasmus Anderson deposed : He was a bootmaker residing at Halcombe, and also the poundkeeper; he found defendant's pigs on his land on the 15th instantimpounded one sow and five pigs ; went to Mrs Johnston's house and left notice; defendant came about the pigs aud wanted them without settlement; later iv the day plaintiff found defendant rescuing the pigs ; she was making a hole in the fence ; went through the fence ; she came at witness with the are ; she made a. blow to strike fare produced) ; warded off the blow, ani caught the are in his right hand (here the witness gave a vivid description of the assault) ; now live in fear of defendant ; she is very quarrelsome with her neighbours. Cross-examined: It was neither light nor dark when the assault occurred ; did not put Che pigs m the public pound ; defendant was knocking a hole iv the fence; -picked up a stab to defend himself with ; she used the bad language _.fore she threatened to strike ; did not strike at defendant ; she said she would *' split his head in two and rescue her property even from his bedroom ; " had not quarelled much before with her ; Mrs Johaston had impounded one of witness' cattle ; took it away himself. 'Hans Peter Mnd «eu deposed : He lived ■with his father at Halcombe; remembered the 15th instant; saw Mrs Johnston smashing a house and f<-nce to get out some pigs ;' Mr Anderson is in ponsession of the property ; saw defendant lift tin* •xc to Anderson and threaten to strike him; she swore at Anderson; she was hear enough to strike Anderson with the axe ; she is a troublesome woman to her neighbors. Cross-examined: Was three or four yards away ; saw Anderson lift the wood; defendant lifted the axe first ; Anderson did not use any bad language to Mrs Johnston. Mrs Johnston deposed: She missed the pigs; found them in a little stye; was mending the fence to keep a bull out, and had the axe ia her hand; did not use the words ascribed to her ; was in as good a temper then as now. The Bench stated the impounding case would be heard before any .decision was given. Mr Staite addressed the Bench, giving particulars of the case. Mrs Anderson pleaded not guilty. Rasuma Anderson deposed: He had legally impounded a sow and five pigs on land in his occupation; had given defendant notice. [The erideuee in this case was identical with that of the assault case.] Peter Madsea gave evidence as in the former ease. Mrs Johnston deposed : She took the pigs out of Anderson's sty when she discovered them ; plaintiff did not ask for any money ; he said there was something to pay. In the impounding ea«e the Bench considered the pigs had been rescued illegally, and fined Mrs Johnston 10s ; and in the assault case ordered Mrs Johnston lo be be bound over to keep the peace, in two sureties and herself for £5 each, . for six months, costs to follow each case. Counsel's fees were not allowed.