MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 March 1910, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

-■-# — A WERAROA DISTURBANCE. SUBSTANTIAL FINE INFLICTED HXTN6 TO~FOUL TONQUED 1 MEN. " | Tn the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court to-day, before Messrs W. C, Nation and Geo. Cameron, J.'sP., on tlie information of Constable liongbottom, John "William Anderson was charged that in Ward street, lie was guilty oV disorderly conduct, a,ml did make use of obscene language. Anderson pleaded guilty to a part of both charges, but denied that he had been guilty «»f using the more objectionable word- that was mentioned in the information. THE EVIDENCE. William Broughton, a labourer, gave evidence that he saw defendant go up to throe mem in Ward street, Weraroa, on the night of Ifith _ February. He seemed to bo striking at one. of three men who were there. One of the three, Chambers, said to Anderson: "What did yon do that for?" Defendant's reply was a.n obscene one. For -about fifteen minutes Mr Chambers was trying to convince defendant that ho was under a misapprehension, but defendant was not open to conviction, "he 1 wanted to have ii go!" After half-an-honr's talk the matter developed into a. fight. At this stage defendant objected tt> the case being gone into in detail, seeing that Tic had pleaded guilty. Tt was explained that this was necessary 111 consequence of some later proceedings to lie taken. The witness Rroughton, continuing, said that Anderson threw Chambers on the road, and a Mr D 11111 interfered. Anderson resented this, and called Dunn op- , probrions names. There was a ) geod deal of obscene language 11 sod by defendant, and it was uttered loud enough to be heard over a wide radius. Altogether it was a. disgraceful scene. The language was of the sort one would only expect to hear at odd times in the slums of a big citv: fortunately it was not to be heard, excent 011 extraordinary occasions, in. Levin. To defendant: "I don't think, in. my nwn mind, that either of those gentlemen would have insulted your wife." Could not swear they ' did not insult her, but did not believe they did. Defendant here interjected that witness was working under Mr Dunn, and should be treated .as Mr Dunn's witness, and a prejudiced one. To Constable Bagrie: Tt was a. fact- that Ande.rsot, was closer to Dunn and Chambers than defendant was. Witness was fifteen or twenty yards away. John Watson, labourer, of Wevaroa. remembered the disturbance in Ward street. It took place between 12 and 1 a.m., near the Weraroa Hall. Defendant rushed at George Withers, and then Chambers tried to pacifv defendant. Th ere was sen filing in consequence, and defendant used had language. To defendant: So far as T saw, there were no blows struck before vou asked for an apology. Tt was true that at one stage of the proceedings defendant said to ona of the 111 (Mi, "Yon have got a mother of your own, and if you have any decency in you you will apologise I'e.r insulting my wife!" Mr Nation here interjected that ill is was apart from the ease. Defendant had taken the law into his own hands, and was charged with having used obscene language. J. Astridge gave evidence* that there was obscene language—and abominable obscene language—-be-ing used in Weraroa on the nightof the. disturbance. He hcaro a. man named Anderson use some of the language. George Withers, who was in company with Watson and Chambers, gave confirmatory evidence. He deposed, also, that Anderson was noticeably under the influence of liquor. To defendant: You .asked me to apologise. I answered, "T said nothing to yon, at all." Defendant, .sworn, said that ho was walking down Ward street with his wife, when three men overtook him. One used an expression to him and his wife that was extremely insulting to both of them. He asked for an apology, and next thing he knew he was sot upon by the three men. Defendant was in tho position that a stray got into when he was set upon by the town pack. Defendant, was so knocked about in the scnllle that he had do - be ent to the Otaki Hospital and treated there for seventeen days. To Constable Bagrie: Had been ■onvicted of abusive language before. Under such circumstances those concerned in this case, a man might use any language, and forret what he did say. Did not remember using tlie language chargcharged with. Mr Nation, 011 behalf of himself and his I'elloiv Justice, remarked that Anderson had. been given a. very lengthy hearing, and. every question lie had put had sunk him deeper into the mire. He would be lined £0 for the offence of obscene language, with the option, of three months' imprisonment. On the charge of having created a. breach of the peace he would be "ined £2, with the option of 0110 month's imprisonment. Defendant asked for an allowance if one week's time in which to find the money. This was acceded to. AXOTIT ICR CASE. The men Fred. Chambers and William Broujjhton, mentioned in the foregoing case, were then charged with having been concerned in the disturbance. The evidence was held to have shown that they had been participators in tho disturbance against their will, and the information was dismissed, DEBT CASES. Judgment 011 confession was entered in a number of cases called ■in at the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, Levin, this morning. Judgment by default was entered in the following eases: Henry William Ifope. v. Ebeoezer Round, £7 Os ■id: William Rainier v. Mrs Bignail, £10 13s Od; J. Harvey and Co. v. Robert Melton, £V 2 UilsOd. Costs were allowed in every instance.