MAGISTERIAL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1088, 19 September 1883, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

PATEA—YESTERDAY. (Before 0. A. Wray, Esq., R.M. OBSTREPEROUS NATIVES. A Maori named Mold was brought up, charged with obstructing Henry Fletcher, a Railway Guard, while in the execution of hia duty on the 6th inst. Sergeant Donovan conducted the prosecution, and Mr Williams was sworn as interpreter. Henry Fletcher stated he was a guard on the railway between Wanganui and Manntahi. On the 6th inst he was guard of the 11.45 train. At Kakararnoa a large number of natives entered the carriages and on asking prisoner for his fare he offered witness 4d instead of the proper fare, fid.

Prisoner toM the other natives not to pay and would not allow witness to go through the carriage, and in consequence he had to go over the roof in order to get to the van. Stopped the train at the next station and called the attention of Sergeant Donovan. AH the natives except prisoner paid their fares.

stated that none of the natives had tickets as they hud entered the train at a flag station. Sergeant Donovan corroborated the witness and stated that prisoner bore a good character, and was a quietly disposed man, but on this occasion he was intoxicated.

Ngarcvva was charged with a similar offence.

Mr Fletcher stated that this prisoner had entered a first class carriage and on witness putting him out had became abusive and wanted to fight. Prisoner continued abusive all the way to Manntahi, and by his behaviour delayed the train.

Both prisoners pleaded ignorance of their actions on the day in question, as they were intoxicated. His Worship said that drunkenness was no excuse for the prisoners’ behaviour. Their conduct might have caused a serious accident, Ngarewa appeared to be the worst and he would be fined 40s and costs, or in default 14 days imprisonment. The other man would be fined 20s and costs, or 7 days imprisonment. This was all the business.