RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.—GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1345, 21 August 1883, Page 4

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.—GISBORNE.

Saturday, 18th August. [Before J. Booth, Esq., R.M.I ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. W. Hitchens was brought up charged with using abusive language likely to cause a breach of the peace towards James Seddons, billiard marker, at the Roseland Hotel, Makaraka, on Wednesday, the 15th instant. Mr M'Dougall appeared for the prosecution ; the prisoner wars undefended. The prosecutor stated that he was coming from the billiard-room on the night in question and passed the defendant, who was standing with others at the bar window, when defendant rushed after him, caught him by the arm, and forced his fiat into his (prosecutor’s) face, pushing his head against the wall, at the same time using foul and abusive language and challenging him to fight, The complainant then went into the bar parlor and shut the door, but the defendant followed him, and again used threatening and abusive language and challenged him to fight. Two witnesses were called for the prosecution, who acknowledged to being present and asking the prisoner to come away, but could not remember what for, as they were too much under the influence of drink. Nothing further could be elicited from them, as they seemed determined to screen the prisoner as much as possible. His Worship said he considered the case fully proved, although the witnesses had behaved so badly. He wished to hear what the defendant had to say in answer to the charge. The defendant said he might have used the words, but he could not remember as he was the worse for drink. The complainant had insulted him in the morning about some water at the tank. His Worship remarked that the defendant was far more honest and truthful than the witnesses, who had behaved very badly indeed. He would inflict a fine of 40s and costs.