MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2484, 7 March 1881, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMAEH--THIS DAY,

(Before R. Beetham Esq., R.M.) TRESPASS. William Charters was charged with trespassing on the land of the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company’ situate at the Washdyke, on Feb. 28, last, with dogs in pursuit of native game. The accused pleaded guilty to the trespass, but denied that he was in pur suit of game. William Balfour, manager for the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company, deposed to hearing shots on the day in question, and sending his son to ascertain their origin. The accused had no right on the land. John Balfour deposed to seeing the accused on the company’s land. He had a gun, and two dogs with him, and ho had three ducks in his possession. He said he had permission to be upon the land. The accused made a statement to the Court in which he denied having shot any ducks. The birds found in his possession were pukaki and not ducks at all. The Bench said that the accused had trespassed whether he had shot ducks or pukaki. ANOTHER CASE. William Dale was then charged with trespassing on land situated" at the Washdyke, with dogs, in search of game. Ilichard Stevenson, farmer, residing at the Washdyke, deposed that he leased the racecourse. On the morning of February 10 he was on the land and noticed the sheep running in several directions, Saw two men with greyhounds. One of the dogs killed a hare which was picked up by one of the men. There was a spring cart on the road opposite the course waiting for the men. Witness demanded their names and Dale gave his name as Empson, and the other man also gave an assumed name They both drove off in the cart after witness had spoken to them. Witness saw Dale in Timaru a few days afterwards when he admitted that the dogs had killed a hare, but denied that they were looking for game at the time or were on the land for any illegal purpose. Inspector Pender stated that Dale had made a similar statement to him.

The Bench commented on the f.ict of Dale and his friend having given false names when spoken to I 3 Mr Stevenson. Dale -If the man had given up the hare when asked nothing more would have been said about it.

Mr Beethara—l have nothing to do with that. Then (addressing Charters) —As for you, Charters, you seem to make a regular profession of this work. The last time you were before me I let you off very easily, because 1 understood you were in bad circumstances, but this leniency does not seem to have made any impression on you._ The efforts of those who are endeavoring to acclimatise . game in this colony are worthy of all support. You, Dale, will be fined £5, and you, Charters, will bo fined £lO with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment. Dale paid his fine on the spot ; Charters accepted the alternative. FAILING TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER OF THE COURT. Mr Tosswill appeared to complain on bahalf of Mary Jane Bull that her husband John Bull, bad failed to comply with an order of the Court dated Oct, 2 1880, compelling him to contribute towards the support of Ids wife and family. The defendant was now ordered to find one good and sufficient surety that he would comply with the order within 14 days, on pain of six calendar months imprisonment. The Court then adjourned.