R.M.’s Court, Gisborne.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1091, 24 June 1882, Page 2

R.M.’s Court, Gisborne.

Thursday, 16th June. [Before M. PillCZ, Esq., R.M.] A Native was charged with having imbibed somewhat too freely, and it being his second offence, he was ordered to pay 10s. towards the Government funds, or in default to undergo an incarceration of 24 hours’ duration. ASSAULT. William Sant was charged with assaulting Ka Macky at the Albion Club Hotel on the tilth instant. The complainant was called, and stated that lie had gone into the hotel on the day in question, and bad given a florin for some drinks. The defendant had detained some of the money, stating that there were certain drinks due which had not been paid for. After this there was a row, and defendant struck at him. Charles Gerard was then called, and stated that he had seen the complainant and defendant shaping to light, but that he had preveuled them from doing so. It was over the matter of a shilling. The complainant stated that the defendant had better come outside aud settle the difference. He saw no blows struck. The defendant, complainant, and his wife were present, Mary Macky, the wife of the complainant, was then called, and corroborated the statement of the previous witnesses. She said that all the row was occasioned by the uon-return of a 6d. in change. This was the case for the prosecution. The defendant was then asked whether he would like to give evidence, and he said he would. On being sworn he deposed to the fact that the complainant and his wife were in the bar on the evening in question, when a florin was tendered to him for drinks. As the defendant owed him Is. for drinks obtained previously, he retained the total sum. Complainant then struck at witness, but the blow was never returned, nor did he follow him outside to fight him. The defendant then called Samuel Mason Wilson, the proprietor of the Albion Club Hotel, who deposed that he had seen the complainant strike at the defendant when he was behind the bar, and had no chance to defend himself. Defendant then came from behind the bar, and the pair commenced sparring. Witness went into the room where the trouble was going on, and ordered the defendant back into the bar to attend to his work. He also told Macky that he ought to be ashamed of himself. His Worship said it was very clear that the complainant had himself been the aggressor by first striking at the defendant, and he would therefore dismiss the case with costs. Friday, 23rd June. William Thompson, charged with drunkenness, was fined 10s., or 24 hours’ imprisonment. William McKew, charged with a similar offence, said he was coming into town last night when he stumbled into a well, and couldn’t get out. Constable Farmer proved that the man was drunk. Accused had been convicted on the 15th inst. Fined 10s. and costs. A SCENE IN COURT. William Dickson was brought into court on a charge of having used obscene language on Thursday last in Gladstone Road. Before the charge was read the prisoner objected to being heard by Mr Price, aud commenced a horrid tirade of abuse. As the language made use of in the road had reference to Mr Price, that gentleman said he would prefer it to be heard before two justices, and it was adjourned until 12 o’clock. civil cases. Clark v. Reid : Claim £3, for rent. No appearance of defendant. Judgment for plaintiff. 8. Roe v. G. Davis: Claim £2l 9s. Mr Nolan for plaintiff, and Mr Finn for defendant. After hearing the evicence of the plaintiff, Mr Nolan, having been wrongly instructed accepted a nonsuit. dickson’ case. [Before His Worship the Mayor and R. H. Fisher, Esq., J.P.’s.] Prisoner seemed very much less excited than when before Mr Price. Acsused: I am guilty of what I said to Sergeant Bullen. Sergeant Bullen gave evidence as to the filthy nature of the language made use of. When arrested prisoner walked quietly to the lock-up. Prisoner said he had no questions to ask. He wanted to speak about Mr Price. He then commenced what evidently promised to be a long and tedious story, but was stopped by the Bench, as it did not bear upon the case. Prisoner was then charged with having destroyed a bucket, the property of the Government. He eaid he would plead guilty, but the bucket was an old and valueless one. Constable Walsh said that prisoner was calling out for a drink on the previous night, and witness went to the call, but was immediately saluted by a bucket, which did not, however, hit him. He threw it back into the cell, and the prisoner thou jumped on it. The accused, when asked what he had to say for himself, again commenced about his troubles, and abused Mr Price so much that their Worships had to threaten to commit him for contempt. He was then sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor

in Napier Gaol for the first offence, and one month in addition for the second offence, making four months in all, in default of payment of a penalty of £lO. Sergeant Bullen said that ss the man had accused him of robbing him of 145., he would like to produce all the man’s receipts for money he has had upon him when previously committed. The Sergeant then produced all the receipts, and said that it was the desire of the police authorities that when assertions such as these were made they should at once be disproved. The Bench said nothing of that sort was for a moment entertained by them. They were perfectly satisfied as to the Sergeant’s conduct. Mr Greenwood suggested it as being very likely that the costs in one of the cases against the accused bad been ordered to be paid. He would look. Their Worships said it didn’t matter. This was all the business.