MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 379, 19 July 1911, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TE KUITI.—MONDAY.

Before Dr Carolan and Mr Peter Floyd, J.P's). Peter McDonn o h, a muscular young man, was charged, on five charges, with assault, causing damage, resisting the police, and using insulting language on Saturday night last in Te Kuiti. The evidence went to show that defendant was in Grinter's tea-rooms about 7 p.m., together with a Maori named Hunter, and after an exhange of strong language between the two defendant struck Hunter on the face. Constable Mathew went over and got him on the ground, afterwards admitting him to bail. At 11 p.m. another row occurred, when defendant assaulted D. Turner. Evidence for the police was given by T. Grinter, S. Hunter, D. Turner, Constables Capp and Mathew, and defendant called Pat. Kelly, D. Sullivan and T. Wells, and went into the box himself. Defendant said that he went down to Te Awamutu on Saturday, got a few drinks and brought a bottle of whisky back with him in the train. He met the Maori, Hunter, in tha train, and Hunter followed him about, trying to get his whisky. Defendant refused to give him any and struck out, but missed him. Hunter then said he would swear he gave him liquor. In reply to Constable Mathew, he did not think he attempted to strike the Maori in the street, nor resist the police.

The Bench warned defendant that he was liable to a fine of £2O or three months imprisonment for resisting the police, and if he came there again a prohibition order would be issued against him, and convicted him on all five charges, fining him £5 and £3 15s lOd costs and damage done.