RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Kumara Times, Issue 510, 16 May 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday, May 16. [Before M. Price, Esq., R.M.]

DRUNKENNESS,

Mary Ann Taylor, alms Margaret Lynn, was fined 10s, or the usual alternative, for being drunk and disorderly.

BREACH OP THE BOROUGH BYE-LAWS,

Donald Cameron was charged, on summons, that he did, on the 11th day of May last, ply for hire within the Borough, he not being a duly licensed person. The defendant pleaded exemption, on the ground that he was the owner and driver of the mail coach.

Mr Perkins appeared on behalf of the Police and Borough Council, and called

Constable Hatton who deposed : I know the defendant. Recollect the 11th of May last. Saw defendant on that day, before he started with his coach from Rugg's Hotel ; he was standing there some time. I saw one or two passenget into his coach. I spoke to the defendant at the Post-Office, and told him he must take out a licence for plying for hire of passengers. Defendant said his was the mail-coach, and he would not. I did not know the passengers. I could not say he put in fresh horses at Rugg's ; he did not go on to Greymouth ; he turned his coach round at the head of the Zigzag. By the defendant: You were opposite Kugg's about fifteen minutes ; you were not off the Main Road.

James Wylde, Town Clerk, deposed : I know defendant. I know he drives a passenger coach within the Boron <di, from Kitimara to Hokitika ; he stops°at Ruga's Hotel, and also takes passengers to the Tramway Station. He has"" no licance t-> ply within the Borough for pnssenge-s. I have spoken about it to him. I have never demanded it from him

Mr Perkins produced and handed in a copy of the Bye-Laws under the Borough s ; *al.

Donald Cameron, defendant, deposed : I am the proprietor and driver of the mail coach between Hokitika and Kumara. I carry passengers for hire between those places and the intermediate ones ; I do not go beyond Kumara ; I sometimes go to the Greenstone. J have never been called upon to pay a licence in Hokitika, except for special coaches on race days.

By Mr Perkins : I do not know who were the passengers on the 11th. I take passengers to Sandy's or anywhere along the road, and put them down where they may desire. On the 11th of May I did not go through to Greymouth. I did not take the coach I brought from Hokitika on the 12th over the Teremakau.

His Worship in giving judgement, said that it having been clearly proved that the defendant had plied for hire within the Borough, he would, this being the first case, inflict only a nominal fine; but had the defendant shewn that he was driving his coach through to Greymonth, and only stopping at Kumara en route, (unless a case to the contrary coald be stated by Counsel,) he should be of opinion that a licence would not have been required to be taken out by the defendant here. The defendant was fined Is, and costs of Court.

In similar cases against J. Cameron, and T. Maher, both defendants were fined Is and costs ©f Court.

T. Maher for allowing his coach to remain in the street contrary to the Bye-laws of the Borough, was fined 10s, costs of Court, and 21s professional costs.