MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 77, 31 March 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

[Before A. S. Collins and T. Mackay, Esqs.,

Furious Riding. William Saarland, senior, was.charged with furious riding in Hardy-street, but the case was adjourned for a week afc the defendant's wish. W. 11. Parmenter was charged with having committed a similar offence aud Mr Moore appeared for the defendant. P. C. Hawksworth deposed that he saw the defendant riding at the rate of 10 or 12 miles an hour, he was riding along Hardy-street and passed rouud the corner into Collingwood-street. He considered that the rate at which the defendant rode was daugerous to women and children. The witness having been crossexamined by Mr Moore, that gentleman urged that the police should have shown that the l.orse wt*.s going at a faster pace than that at wbich horses generally go, and that having failed to do so the case must be dismissed. Having stated the circumstances as he had been instructed he called W. R. Parmeuter, the defendant, who deposed that the horse he was riding was a very old one which had been lent him for the use of his children. It was over 27 years old and it was impossible to get a gallop out of it, iv fact, if anyone could get more tban 10 miles an hour out of the horße he would give them its value. He could not have been going more than 10 miles at the very outside. He was in company with Mr Sharland, who was just in front of him, riding a yoUuger horse. By the Bench : He was not racing, and he should consider he ought to be punished for cruelty to animals had he tried to make the horse gallop. At this stage Mr Moore called, as a witness, James Lucre, and he not appearing, the Court waited a considerable time and Mr Moore haviDg stated he understood Mr Lucre would not obey the subpoena, declined to apply for a warrant, preferring to trust the case to their Worships. He stated that Mr Lucre had informed him that the horse was not going nearly as fast as described by the Constables, and having further referred to the case, submitted it was not a matter in which the police should have taken action. Their Worships said they could not agree that the Constables were in the wrong, at the same time they thought it evident that there was no very furious riding, yet it did appear that defendant went round the corner faster than was safe and they therefore fined him 5s and costs 7s. Barnes v. W. Carter Webb.— This was an action to recover £2 7s Id for goods supplied, and judgment went by default with costs, £5. J. Rees v. Overend. — This was an action brought at the Ahaura Magistrates' Court to recover £5 9s 9d, and the matter in dispute arose out of an overdraft granted by the Bank of New Zealand to the River View Gold Mining Company. The defendant having applied that the evidence of Richard Heeves, M.H.R., should be taken at Nelson, that gentleman was in attendance, and gave evidence which was in favor of the defend ant.