MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2583, 1 July 1881, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMAETJ-THIS DAY. (Before K. Beetham Esq;, ;R.M.) TRESPASSING IN PURSUIT OF GAME. James Poff, Frank Poff, Michael Tregonning and John Coll were charged on remand with trespassing on the land of theN.Z. and L.A. Company at Pareora in pursuit of game. Mr Jameson appeared for James PofE and John Coll. His Worship addressing Tregonning remarked that he had pleaded guilty when before the Court on the first occasion. The offence which he had admitted was not a light one, and ho (His Worship) had always punished such offences by inflicting a severe penalty. Owing probably to the infliction of a heavy penalty he was happ} to say that only five cases of the kind, had come before him. Had he played with such offences the number would probably have been fifty instead of five. Tregonning had acted wrongly, but he had been man enough to confess his fault, and he certainly deserved credit for that. His Worship added that ho about to inflict a fine of 40s, but in consequence of Tregonnings’ conduct since his arrest he Iwould be fined only 20s. Tregonning then got into the box to give evidence for the prosecution. He said that on June 15 they all four were on the land of the company at Pareora. They intended to have a run with the dogs. By “a run” meant a course. Had two "or three runs but no hare was killed.

Cross-examinod by Mr Jameson — Witness owned three of the greyhounds and Frank Poff another dog. Mr Jameson having addressed the Bench and asked that the case might be dismissed owing to the in-

elusive and unsatisfactory nature of the evidence. His Worship pummed up in a few words. He considered the charge fully proved and would inflict a fine of 60s against each of the defendants. WIFE DESERTION. Epbgrt, Anderson was charged by his wife Ann Anderson with deserting her and leaving her and her six children without means of support. Mr Jameson .appeared for the com* plainant, and Mr Hamorsley for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. The complainant and. her two grown up daughters were examined, and it appeared from the evidence of the latter that they had been lately keeping the family from want by contributing their earnings at a local drapery establishment. Often the complainant and her daughters stated they were short of food, which the defendant failed to provide. Robert Anderson the defendant said he had been giving his wife 7s a week to pay for bread up to recently. Had met her lately in the street and offered her £2 which she had refused to take, saying she wonld never handle another afcpeusU, % 9i..liu At another time had given his,wifo,i£3’7s.Was not in regular employment. The case was adjourned until Monday arson. . . John Tait was charged with setting fire to C. Johnston’s slaughterhouse at the Washdyke and committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, bolden in Timarn, the same bail as formerly being accepted. The accused, on whose behalf Mr Hamersley appeared, reserved his defence. .