MAGISTERIAL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 979, 3 January 1883, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

PATEA—THIS DAY, (Before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M.J DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. George White, senj-., was charged with having been drunk and disorderly on Jan. 2. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Another charge was made of using obscene language, and prisoner also pleaded guilty to this. bergeant Donovan stated that there was an irmnensenumber of convictions recorded against White.Prisoner asked the Bench to deal leniently with him, as he intended to leave Patca to-morrow. His Worship said that he would like to hear some evidence, and Sergeant Donovan called James Morcor, labourer, who stated that he lived next door to White. Last evening he hoard a child screaming, and on going out ho saw Mrs White in the road, stark naked. She was holding the child to hide herself. This was at about a quarter to 7. Ho saw White with a hammer in his hand. He was swinging it over Mrs White’s head, but witness did not see him strike her. When defendant saw witness ho throw the hammer into the docks. Witness searched, and could not tind'it, but it was picked up this morning. Prisoner was calling his wife all sorts of filthy names while she was in the street. It was daylight, and a good many people were passing. Defendant accused her of taking in another man during his absence, but he (witness) could .swear otherwise, as he was at homo all day. The woman was sober. Defendant tore all her clothes off her, so that she was naked. He (witness) picked up her clothes, and there was not a stitch left in them ; nor had she anything to put on in their place. Witness lived next door, and he could assure His Worship that quarrelling had been going on for the last eight or nine days, until the neighbours wore tired of it. Last night Mr De Banks came over and spoke to defendant, telling him to be quiet, but he struck him, and witness, with assistance, was compelled to lie White up with a rope. Sergeant Donovan said that there were plenty of witnesses in Court who would corroborate what Mercer had stated. On hearing of the disturbance he had sent Constable Crozier down to arrest White and, while he was coming through the town, lie had evil enough left in him to call upon the men to rescue him. They had, however, too much good sense to take any notice of his appeal.

In answer to His Worship, Defendant said he had nothing to say by way of excuse for his conduct. Ho was going to clear out of Patea and had

everything packed ready. He was very excited yesterday having met a number of acquaintances with whom he had a drink. The result was that he lost control of himself. He asked that the case might be dealt with leniently as he was about leaving the place. The Magistrate commented severely upon the disgraceful nature ot the offence and remarked that he thought leniency in the present case would be a mistake. Defendant had received very lenient treatment but without any good effect; Ho should impose a fine of £lO, or in default 3 months imprisonment, the fine to bo paid forthwith. Prisoner was then removed to the cell.