RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 989, 22 October 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, GISBORNE.

Friday, October 21st, 1881. [Before M. Price, Esq., R.M.] G. H. Wilson v S. Stevenson. Defendant was charged that he did on the 19th of October last, use abusive and insulting language towards the plaintiff. Mr. Finn appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Brassey for defendant. G. H. Wilson sworn deposed, he presented the defendant with an account on the 19th of October last. Defendant said “ You are a b y old scoundrel, if you think you are going to have me that way ” and threatened to knock him down in the street.

R. Featherston deposed he remembered the 19th inst. He was working close to Stevenson’s stables. Mr. Wilson, came and gave Mr. Stevenson a paper. He did not hear any insulting language used by defendant. This concluded the evidence for the comcomplainant. For the defence, G. Reed, sworn stated he knew Wilson and Stevenson, he remembered being at Sam Stevensons stables on the 19th inst. He saw Wilson come up and give a bill to Stevenson. He never heard any offensive language used by defendant to complainant. By Mr. Finn : I was present at the time, I did not hear the word “ scoundrel.” I heard Sam say “ You old scamp, I don’t owe you a penny,” or something like that. I did not hear “ b y,” used. By Mr. Brassey : I have known Stevenson for several years, and never heard him use bad language. S. Stevenson, sworn, stated he knew the complainant Wilson. He had been in his (Stevenson’s) employ. Wilson came to him the 19th inst., and gave him an account, and said he wanted a settlement. He told complainant he did not owe him a penny, Wilson said “ I will see all about that.” He said to Wilson “ You must be an old scamp,” but did not use the words “ b y old scoundrel.” His Worship said there was not sufficient evidence for a conviction, and dismissed the case. Jacobs v Smith. Claim £l6 7s, for cutting timber. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs.