MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 120, 21 May 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

[Before 11. E. Curtis and ,T. RocnroßT, Esqs , J.J.P.] W. OMham was charged with a breach of the wharf Regulations in not leading his horses on the wharf. Defendant admitted the offence, but stated that he was unaware of the regulation, and on being told of it at once got out and led his horses, although he felt that in doing so he had not the same control over his horses as though he was driving them. He wished further to remark that he believed the policeman was the only man on the wharf that day who' knew of the regulation, and he surely might have warned those whom he saw about to break the rule instead of waiting until they had done' so, and then informing against them. It looked very like a trap.— The Bench stated that a Justice of the Peace was supposed to make himself acquainted with the regulations. Fined 10s and costs. Acton Adams was fined 5s and costs for allowing a pony to stray on the roads. Denis Hurley was fined 10s, and costs 7s, for allowing his chimney to take fire. Percy Simmons, for taking his vehicle on to the wharf without leading the horse, was fined 5s and costs. Joseph Wilkins was fined Is and costs for having a dog in his possession without a ticket. William Cooksey was charged with driving and not leading his horse on to the wharf. Defendant admitted the offence but wished to call the attention of the Bench to the fact that Constable White had previously threatened that he'd have him some clay. He had never been warned of the regulation, and the police, instead of waiting until the result of the last informations had been made public, issued a fresh lot of summonses that same day before tho paper was issued. This, he

thought, was driving the law too hard. The way in which the police watched that wharf wan really quite discreditable. Sergt. Nash knew that the wharfinger had repeatedly warned Cooksey, and he wondered at his standing up there aud telling such a, falsehood. Defendant was' fined 5s and costs. Henry Deblois, for riding over Nile-street bridge at a pace faster than a walk, was fined 10s and costs. Ernest Durrant was charged with having a ticketless dog. Defendant admitted the offence, but said that he had never intended to keep tbe dog and had drowned it before receiving the summons. Fined Is and costs.