Magistrate’s Court.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 10 July 1914, Page 2

Magistrate’s Court.

Wednesday: Messrs E. J. Farrell and J. Fletcher, J’s P., presiding. Daniel South!who pleaded not guilty to the chargeofusing obcene language in a public place at Taupiri last Monday night, stated that he was drunk and had no recollection of what trans-pii-ed, Constable Ingram stated that the case was a disgraceful one. The accused, who was employed in the quarry, had been drinking heavily, and when under the influence of drink lost control of himself. His record was very bad, there being no fewer than forty-seven previous convictions recorcied against him. He asked for an exemplary seixtence. William Arthur, labourer, Taupiri, stated that accused, who boarded with him, left on Monday night, but came back about midnight and wanted to fight. The witness refused to do so, and was subjected to much violent and obscene abuse. Accused was advised to go away, and did so when the witness agreed to fight him next morning. They shook hands on it, bxxt instead of going away witness removed his shirt, and went into the bedroom occupied by the wife and children of witness. He left about 2.30, and again returned. Refused admittance once more, he threatened to strike the witness wife, and to protect her witness gave the accused a thrashing. He went for the police, while his wife and children were obliged to seek protection in a neighbouring 1 camp. This evidence was corroborated by other two witnesses, and by Joseph O’Connell who was kept awake for some time by the noise made, and who, on hearing a woman and children screaming, proceeded t° Arthur’s camp. He heard language “that could be cut with a knife,” but did not know who had used it. Scenes of the kind had occurred before. On the morning in question the accused was not sober. When in his proper senses, South was a good steady ! worker. Mr Farrell, in giving decision stated that the scene was a disgraceful one, and that women and children must have every protection from people who for--1 got themselves when drunk. The accused would be sent to ; Auckland prison for three months.