POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 39, 17 February 1900, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

—, • Friday, February 16th.—Before Mr. R. L. Stanford, S,M. DRUNKEKHESS. James Douglas was convicted on a charge of drunkenness, and fined 5s and costs. A second charge was also laid against him, that he, being a prohibited person, was found on licensed premises, to wit, the Imperial Hotel, on the 15th February, Evidence was given by Richard Canning, a porter at the Imperial Hotel, who stated that accused had been seen on the premises frequently during the present week, and had been ordered out several times. He had constantly asked witness for a drink, but none had been supplied to him as far as he knew. Accused became a nuisance, and was finally handed over to the police. Sergeant Stagpoole stated that a prohibition order had been taken out against accused nearly twelve months ago, and was still in force. Accused was fined £3 and costs. INSULTING LANOUAQB. A first offender was charged with using insulting language to the railway officials on the 10th January. Mr. Weston, for defendant, stated that his client pleaded guilty to the offence, but that a letter of apology had been sent to the railway officials, and they had no other wish in prosecuting than to protect themselves against a recurrence. He would, therefore, ask His Worship for leniency in the matter. The Magistrate inflicted a fine of 5s and costs, Thomas Mills was charged with having used insulting and threatening language to W. Briscoe on February sth. Mr, Weston appeared for the defendant. Complainant stated that.he and defendant had farms adjoining, and constant friction was caused by Mills refusing to repair his side of the boundary fence. His stock were continually straying on to complainant's property on account of this broken fence. On February sth he found a bull belonging to Mills doing considerable damage in his garden, and at once proceeded to drive it off with the intention of impounding it. While ho was doing so defendant shouted out to him to " wait a minute," but he did not do so. Dafendant then caught up to him, and used threatening and abusive language to such an extent that he had thought it desirable for his and his family's protection to get him bound over to keep the peace. The Magistrate said that he thought Mr. Briscoe had acted in a right and proper manner, but at the same time he did not think it a case in which an order should be made. He would dismiss the complaint, defendant to bear the costs.