MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 455, 12 August 1919, Page 3

MERCER.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Hoforo Mr P. K. Hunt, S.M.) Ii.VMK 1.1.W5. The u-ual sitting of the Mercer Magistrate's Court wits hold on Wednesday last, before Mr F. K 11-inter, S.M. riinniiiH Drabble, potter at the Vferrer ra'Uvay station, was charged with having, on Ji'ly l.'Jrli, at Mcri if, ki lid a ■"■K'k jilicsant, without l.aviig liken "lit a to kill si.cli i_r, lF ,ii', coiiinirv to the Animal*' IV. |, -lion Art, I !IHS Mr 11. C Haywood, ranger for the ,\e i'ii 'iiiati' n Society, prosecuted. |;, ', nihmt j.loaih d not guilty, hut ii 1 Im did ii>.t depute thn charge. i in ii■'*!"> i-i question ho and a ■•'. ;iii \\ ; vn o it at Sweeney's h''l ' h'r shilling. Whei ntnx some .! k!:ei.'i's, witness noticed somet . .itr, :).. 1 nV ! noticed 'he dog sot- •;;.-, ;i., Ii after a b'"d. lie did not k'Kfv v.h ,f it wii", but after a v hilo, J . .v tlu: d' g g" into u lagoon and i.ring - iit a bird. The dog brought the bird to him, mid, upon receiving jt |n r.ofiird it had hern wouudeu about the brejnt, a r id wing. lie ex-

claimed to his friend "poor little devil," and put it out of its misery. The wing and breast were all festered. It had been shot previously. John W. D. Tighe, porter at Ohakune, said he was out shooting wi'h the defendant, and corroborated his evidence. Mr Haywood said that the evidence tendered in Court was similar to. the stories told him when he questioned the defendant about the incident. He submitted that as the Act stipulated that anyone who killed such a bird without a license was liable, defendant was liable. The Magistrate said Mr Haywood was quite right in bringing the matter before the Court; hut there was no evidence to show that defendant was out with intent to poach or kill. He had taken the bird home, but should not have done so. He dismassed the information. The witness Tighe came from Ohakune, a distance of 182 miles. MILITARY PARADES. For failing to attend Territorial parades, and for not notifying his change of address, 8. H. Medhurst, of Whangarata (but formerly of Takanini), was fined £2, with lis costs. CIVIL CASES. Judgment was given for plaintiffs (by default) in the following undefended civil cases:—J. F. Shepherd (manager State farm, Te Kauwhata, wine merchant) v W. J. Verry, claim 22s fid, costs ss; same v John Churton, 12s, costs 5s ; same vH. Gibbs, 12s lOd, costs 6s ; Valentine and Co v George Hammerton, £l2 18s Bd, costs 15s.