RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Issue 1971, 3 December 1872, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before H. M'Oulloch, Esq., R.M ) Saturday, Novembeb 30. James M'Laren (on reman. l) charged with cutting and wounding Malcolm Shaw at the Railway Camp, Oteramika, on the llth inst., was, on the application of Mr Wade, again remanded until Friday, 6th December, for the production of evidence Eor the defence, bail being allowed as before. W. D. Basstian v. O'JSeil — Plaintiff charged defendant w.ith assault. Defendant was working for plaintiff at Halfway Bush, and had b cii allowed to keep a dog on tho establishment. Plaintiff alleged that on briuging a flock of valuable sheep to the homostead, defendant's dog got ainonj- them and chased them. Plaintiff went ir.to tho house and obtained a gun for the purpose of shooting the dog, which defendant resisted, taking the gun away from plaintiff. The defence set up was that the dog had not done, or was not likely to do any mischief, and that plaintiff's action towards the dog was the result of a previous quarrel between the parties. A witness for the plaintiff apparently confirmed this view, but the .Resideut Magistrate, quoting from the Act, held plaintiff to have been justified in attempting to shoot the dog, and that the assault (although not a grievous one) had been proved. Defendant was fined 20s and costs. Monday, Decembkb 2. The owners of nine animals were charged with allowing them to stray within the limits of the town, and in each case the fine of 5s was inflicted, with costs to each of 5s 6d. J. A.. Mitchell v. Streeler — Claim for £3 15s, goods supplied. Judgment was given lor amount claimed, with £1 8s 6d costs, payment to be made at the rate of £2 per mouth, defendant beirg only paid his wages monthly, 20s only to be paid at defendant's first paj ni^ht, being 2lst instant.