MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1918, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

YESTERDAY'S SITTING. (Before Mr. A. Crooke. S.M.) CKUELTY TO A HOUSE. On the information of the inspector lor tiie Society lor the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Xlioiuas Collins), i'.dward Hunt, of .Spotswood, was charged with ill-treating a horse on Sept. by driving it m a cart while it was lame. Mr. .-i. H. Johnstone appeared tor the informant. The inspector said at the time lie saw the horse, the oli'sido foreleg was very lame, and in his opinion the animal was not in a lit state to be driven- If lie had had more time on that occasion he would have taken possession of the horse and told defendant to take his cart home as .btst he could, and have taken a different course in bringing the case. Defendant's explanation of the circumstances developed into a somewhat amusing argument between him and the inspector. Later, to the Magistrate, defendant explained that the pony was not sound, and was very tender in the frog. In summer time, when there were more loose stones about, he had the horse specially shod to protect it. Witness informed the bench that the pony was outside "if anyone liked to see him." He, was quite sure the animal did not suffer any pain, although he limped sometimes,, if he struck a stone, and he was not guilty of cruelty. Ultimately the Court was persuaded to view the animal, and after doing so the Magistrate expressed the opinion that the horse was not fit to be driven on hard metalled roads, though he might be useful on grass lands. In fining defendant 10s and costs ISs, he said he thought he had been guilty of an error of judgment Tather than of deliberate cruelty. BY-LAW CASES. On the information of the assistant inspector for the borough of New Plymouth (Mr. E. C. King) James Milne was fined 10s (costs 7s) for allowing a motor car to stand in Egmont street after dark without lights. John Taylor, for leading a stallion through Devon street between 3 a.m. and'U.3o p.m. was fined 10s (costs 7s-)