RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2072, 20 April 1883, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

+ . Friday, April 20. [Before J. Giles, Esq., R.M.] DRUNKENNESS. Reuben Toms was charged with being drunk in Seddon street on the night of the 19th April. Accused pleaded "not guilty," and applied to have the case adjourned, as he had a charge to bring against the arresting constable for assault. His Woi-ship inquired if any information had been lodged against the arresting constable; aud, upon receiving a reply in the negative, stated that he should not adjourn the case. Sergeant Russell conducted the prosecution, and called

John Nash, who, being sworn, said : I am a constable of the A.C., stationed at Kumara. I was on duty last night in Seddon street. The Town Clerk of Kumara said the Mayor wished me to attend at the Town Hall where the Borough Council were holding a meeting, to prevent interruption to the proceedings of the Council. I immediately went to the Town Hall. The Mayor read a portion of the bye-laws of the Council which relates to interruptions of the proceedings, as a caution. I observed the prisoner Toms interrupting the proceedings by loud talking and whistling. I went over to him and told him to keep quiet. I asked him to leave the hall. He would not do so. I then put him outside the hall. I afterwards told him to go home. He would no go away, but attempted to go in again by force. I cautioned him that I would arrest him for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Several persons tried to persuade him to go away, even taking hold of his arms and pulling him ; but he would not. I then arrested him for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

By accused : I was requested by the Mayor to attend, and remove any person who interrupted the proceedings. By the Court: I can swear positively that the prisoner was drunk. To accused : I will swear positively that you were drunk. William Close, being called and sworn, said : I am a bootmaker residing in Kuraara. I was in the Town Hall last night. Accused was in the Town Hall, slightly disorderly. He was called to Order by the Mayor. No unnecessary violence was used to arrest the prisoner. I heard him bounce and defy the constable.

By accused : I heard you defy Constable Nash to arrest you. Nash was in uniform when he turned you out of the hall.

The prosecutor said that as there was aggravation by accused, he would wish to call the Mayor, who was present, as a witness.

William Barnett, sworn, said : I am Mayor of Kumara. I was holding a meeting at the Town Hall last night. Accused was trying to interrupt the proceedings of the meeting. I i*ead the bye-law having reference to the improper or disorderly conduct of any person being admitted to the Council meetings, and asked accused three times to withdraw. I called in Constable Nash to keep order. I consider accused was drunk when he was in the hall.

By accused : I say I cautioned you personally by name not to interrupt the Council. You persisted in doing so. I did not instruct the constable to eject you. I did not see you ejected on account of the lamps being, between. Accused again applied for the case to be adjourned. Sergeant Russell stated that accused had been on bail since seven o'clock this morning. His Worship : I dont wi?h to hear anything more about accused's conduct in the Town Hall. He is here on a charge of drunkenness, in Seddon street. This charge has been clearly proved. Defendant will be fined 20s and costs 4s, or 48 hours' imprisonment.