RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 216, 13 September 1870, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before J. Sharp, Esq., E.M.) This Day. Edward M'Cafferty was charged with rescuing a mare, saddle, and bridle which had been levied under process from the Resident Magistrate's Court. Offence admitted, Edward M'Cafferty was charged with unlawfully assaulting and beating David Henderson Murdoch, who stated that on the 27th August, he was given a warrant against the goods of Hugh Duggan. He proceeded to Macfarlan's Accommodation

House, in Motueka Valley, and took charge of the mare, but defendant came into the stable and put the saddle on the mare with the intention of riding her away. Murdoch took the saddle off, when M'Cafferty laid hold of and struggled with him. Duggan then rushed at him and seized him by the throat, when M'Cafferty got on the mare aud rode off. Defendant on being asked what he had to say for himself, replied that he was not at the time aware of the seriousness of the offence. His "Worship said that the offence was a grave one, and that the defendant had rendered himself liable to a fine of £20 on each charge. He should not, however, inflict the utmost penalty, as he believed that defendant had been led away by Duggan, but he was bound to mai'k his sense of the gravity of the offence, the more so that it was committed in a part of the country where there was no police force. He should fine the defendant £5 and costs, or in default one months' imprisonment, for the first offence, and £l and costs, or a fortnight's imprisonment, for the second offence.