RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, AHAURA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1081, 15 January 1872, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, AHAURA.

(Before C. "Whitefoord, Esq., R.M.) SLY GROG SELLING. .John Gagliardi was charged with selling spirits without a license, at Half Ounce, on the 11th December. The defendant applied for au adjournment, to enable him to obtain legal assistance for his defence. Remanded to 18th January. Elizabeth Bourke was similarly charged. Constable. Dorris entered the defendant's house at Hah>Guncp, on $rd January, and seized a bottje qf brandy he saw standing on a. table- There wej;e several persons present. The defendant staled that she was entertaining a few friends during the holidays, and the gentlemen who were present had not paid for any liquor, nor was it likely she would expect them, seeing they were her guests. There was no sale of liquor proved, and the case was dismissed. Mr Staite for the defendent. Mary O'Meara was charged with the same offence, at Noble's. The defendant had, since the information was laid) taken out a license, and the case was withdrawn. FURIOUS RIDING. Michael Dunn, John Surgeon, and Thomas Williams were summoned for furious riding at Ahaura, on the 3rd January. The charge was proved by Sergeant Goodall and Constable Hunter. The defendants denied that they rode furiously on the occasion referred to. They s,aid they had been at Greyniouth during the holidays^ and they were returning to their claims when the alleged offence was committed. They were drenched with rain, and it was only by hard exercise they could expect to prevent the evil effects of exposure to the weather. The streets at Ahaura were deserted, and there was not the least danger of injuring anyone when they rode through them. The defendants were Sued 40s each, with 14s each costs, or one week's imprisonment. They refused to pay the fine, and were removed to the Jock-up. At a later period of the day, they were again brought up and informed that they could have time to pay the fines. The defendants repliod that they did not want time ; they said they could pay the fines, but they protested against the severity of the sentence. They were returning to their work after the holidays, and, even if they were guilty, some allowance ought to be made under the circumstances. The fines were nlti. mately paid t