POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 15 February 1902, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Friday, 14th February.—Before Mr I R. L. Stanford, 3.M. I

ICAILWAY CROSSING CASE. I William Griffiths was charged, on| the information of the police, withi having driveo a vehicle over a level crossing 011 a railway when an engine was approaching within half a mile. Mr Weston appeared for defendant, I who was unable to appear, and stated [ that his client pladed en iky. i Defendant was cjnvicted aDd fined ! 10s, with Court costs 13s and witnesses ' expenses £1 8i 6d. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. James Howard wis charged with having, on the 28 h January, 1902, at Waitara, stolen a horse valued at £7 70s, the properly of Charles H. Wood. Accused pleaded not guilty. Constable Beattie, of Waitara, give evidence as to arresting accused, who stated that Wood told him he could gelt the horse for £7. Wood said he | would take nothing le's, and anything ; over that amount they would go halves io. Accused said ha went to New I Plymouth, where he remained longer Itban he expected. He had another horse as Urenui, belonging to his mate, and one belonging to Mr Hine, which was now in the poliie stables at 1 New Plymouth. Charles Henry Wood, a settler at ' i Awakino, stated he know accused, and

• saw him on '27 th January last. Ae- ' cused asked for the loan of a horse to go to New Plymouth to see at'ou ! going away with the Ninth Contingent, I Accused came again on the same day, j and witness agreed to lei hint hove the

pony on condition that he would bing jit back on the following Thmaday, 30th January, Witness never saw accused again, He was to get the horse from witness' brothei-in-law. ' Accused had no authority to sell the 1 horse. N»xt saw the animal in the ' police stable at New Plymouth.

Cross examined by accused: Witness gave his brother-in-law permission to sell the horse for anything over £7, but did not authorise accused to do so, Frank Jones, mate of accused, stated that on the date in question he was with accused, who wanted the loan of a horse to go to Waitara. Wood, came "long and finally agreed to lev accused have the uie of bis penv, but it was to be returned by 30th January. nobbing about selling the horse. Witness knew Wood's horse, which was the one he saw in thi police stable at New Plymouth. Cross-examined by accused: Was not prevent when Wood spoke about sslliog the hors*.

James Hine seated that on 28<h January accused .overtook him on tho road and asked if he wanted to buy a good back. Witness asked how much he wanted. Accwed replied that he would sell for 45ft. He said he h*d cqmft from itokau the day before, and wanted to sill the horsi as he was going to join the Nin'h Contingent. Finally witaess bought the pony for XB, and gave a cheque for the amount, and took possession. Handed the animal to the police yes'erday (Thursday, 13th F.ibruiry.) This was the evidence, aud aoouspd was committed for triaj at the nexi ainting of the S.upvame Oourt. DBUNKWNBSS.

William Barnard and Patrick Murphy were each fined 5i and 2s oats for drunkenness, in default 24 hours imprisonment.