RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.—GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1147, 14 September 1882, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.—GISBORNE.

This Day. [Before M. Price, Esq., R.M.j Breach of the Peace.

Police v. William Bailey.—William Bailey was charged with behaving in a public place in Gisborne in a manner calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, and whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned on the 13th instant.

The defendant pleaded Guilty. In reply to the Bench, Sergeant Bullen said that it was not an aggravated case. It appeared that defendant a_.d a Native had had some words about some property, and they had come to blows.

The defend.. it was fined 10s., or in default three days’ imprisonment. Hamiera Paraone was then charged on a similar information.

Defendant said that Bailey had provoked him.

Se geant Bullen then called Sergeant Donelley, who stated that he saw the defendant and Bailey outside the Masonic Hotel on the 13th inst., about half-past three o’clock in the afternoon. Bailey and the defendant had some words, but as they were both talking in Maori, he could not understand them. He (witness) passed on, and on looking round he saw that the two had come to blows. The Native fell in the struggle, and Bailey was on top of him. He (witness) took Bailey off the Native, arrested them both, and took them to the lock-up. They struck one another. This was the case for the prosecution.

Defendant called Mika, a Native, who stated that he saw the scrimmage on the day in question, and that it was the white man (Bailey) who commenced it. The two were quarrelling, and Bailey hit the present defendant first.

His Worship said he would fine the defendant 10s. for fighting in the streets, or, in default, three days’ imprisonment with hard labor.