MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2097, 4 June 1907, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Bo fore Mr. W. A. Carton, S.M.

ASSAULT.

A sitting of tho Magistrate’s Court was held, at the Polico Station yestorday morning, whon an oldorly mun named John Honshaw appeared to answer a chnrgo of assaulting Charles Nelson on Saturday. Accused pleaded guilty, saying ho supposod ho wus drun'k.l His Worship remarked that drink was at the bottom of it, and inflicted a lino of £l, costs 7s, or in dofault 4 days’ imprisonment. On a oliargo of drunkenness, accused was fined 5s and 2s costs, or 24 hours’ imprisonment. Charles Nelson wus charged with assaulting tho previous dofondant and stated that while he was standing on tho pavement Honshnw came up and struck him on tho faco.

Constublo O’Hara stated that ho saw tho two together at 2 p.m. Accused walked away, saying that Honshaw was worrying him. He wont away and Honshaw followed him. They had boon fighting, but witnoss saw no blows struck.

Sorgt. Williams said ho saw a crowd of about 300 people lioar tho Masonic Hotol on Saturday aftornoon. -Honsliaw was brought up by Constablo O’Hara and his faco was covered with blood, and lio admitted having boon fighting with Nelson, but in tho moantimo tho latter mudo off and was arrested a few minutes later. Ho then made oxcusos, that Hensliaw was tho aggressor. Tho latter was vory drunk and Nelson also had somo liquor. Ho could liavo got away from Hensliaw had ho dosirod to. Accused stated that Honshaw had "a bruise on his faco beforo their encounter.

His Worship was of opinion that accused was moro to blamo and fined him 10s, 2s costs, or 24 hours’ imprisonment. DRUNKENNESS.

Patrick’ Ryan, charged with being found drunk, did not appear, and was fined £l, the amount of his bail money.

A native named Wi Tokomona pleaded not guilty to a similar charge, making the nice distinction that ho was not drunk enough to bo lying on the ground.

Sergt. Williams and Constable Wales gave evidence for the prosecution, and a fine of £1 was inflicted, with 7s costs, or 4 days’ imprisonment.