MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 195, 14 August 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

(Before G. Gijlow and C. de V. Tescheinaker, Esqs., J.J.P.) J Thomas Foy was charged by Daniel Stewart with being out with a dog a'tid gtsn in pursuit of game without a license. Mr Bunny appeared for the complainant, and Mr Pitt for the defeudaut. Daniul Stewart saw defendant on Mr Oldham's property with a dog and gun, and heard him fire two shots. He let him be for a bit to see what he was doing, and then went up and asked him if he had Mr Oldham's card. On his replying in the negative he asked him his mime, and he told it. Cross-examined: Was there looking after the game. Did not know of a reward having been offered by the Acclimatisation Society when he laid the first in formation} \vhich was for trespass, but on learning it withdrew the first information add laid the present one. He had never stopped people ou the road and searched them for game. W. Newport, saw some otic with a gun and dog on the <!:ty in question. Stewart told him it was the defendant. This closed the case for the complainant. Mr Pitt contended that, there was no case whatever for the prosecution. The evidence was only that of a common informer, who on his own confession had laid the information for the snke of getting a reward, and he had failed to prove 1 liar, the defendant was in pursuit of game. The dog was taken out for the purpose of hunting rabbits which were not game, and for anything they knew to the contrary the shots that were hoard might have been at the dog. He did not intend to call any evidence, relying entirely on the weakness of that for the prosecution. The Bench considered the case fully proved, and fined the defendant £5 and costs. Sydney Jackson was charged with allowing his chimney to take fire on Thursday last. The Bench, without giving the defendant an opportunity of making any statement, although from his noss-examination of the constable who laid the information it was evident that he did not admit the offence, fined him 5s and costs. Arthur Bradley was charged with allowing a horse and cart to be left uu tended in Trafalgar-slrfet. Fined 5s and costs. W. Gordon for allowing a horse to be at large w:i? fined 5s and costs. Henry Bade y was charged with using obscene language in the hearing of passers-by in Waimea-street. Mr Fell appeared for the defendant, who pleaded guilty, and stated that he had yesterday given up the Golden Fleece Hotel, the taking of which was the greatest misfortune that had ever happened to him. At one time he was a most respectable man, but owing to a wound he had received on his head a few years ago he was mentally weakened, and had been unable to resist the temptation to drink to which he was constantly subjected. He expressed great contrition for the offence which he certainly would never have committed had he been in his sober senses. He had now left the house, and he (Mr Fell) trusted the Bench would treat the defendant leniently Fined £1 ami costs. Butler v. Hi.nt. — Action to recover £1 17a Gd, the value of towels, &c, alleged to have been wrongfully taken in execution by the defendant who is the bailiff. It having been shown that the goods were lawfully seized, judgment was given for the defendant.