MAGISTRATES COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1921, Page 7

MAGISTRATES COURT.

NEW PLYMOUTH SITTING. The weekly sitting of the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court, to deal with criminal business, was held yesterday, Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presiding. UNLAWFULLY ON LICENSED PREMISES. Lewis Knight admitted a charge of being unlawfully on licensed premises (the White Hart Hotel), at a time when they were required to be closed. He said he was going home from a dance, and went in to buy some cigarettes from the porter. He asked for a bed and a bottle of beer to take up to his own room, but was refused. The statement by the police was that Knight asked for the beer first, and the matter of the bed was an afterthought, prompted by the arrival of a constable. A fine of £l, and costs 7s, was imposed. BY-LAW CASES. For allowing a horse to wander on the Mangorei Road, Harry Pitt was fined 10s, costs 17s fid. Mr. R. H. Quilliam appeared for the informant, the County inspector (Mr. B. Tippins). On the information of Mr. E. C. King, borough inspector, Mrs. H. Kidson was fined 10s and costs 7s for allowing stock to wander in the Mount Byron Reserve, East End. A similar penalty was im- : posed against Mrs. A. Gunson on a charge of permitting cows to wander in McLean Street. Eric Blanchett, who pleaded guilty to riding on the footpath in Leach Street, was fined 10s, costs 7s. For allowing a bull to wander in Veale Street, C. E. Jeffries was convicted and fined £l, costs 7s. AN ARIKI STREET FIGHT. A fight in Ariki Street to settle some “private differences” was stopped by the police in the first round, and the participants were brought before the court on various chargee in connection with the set-to. Leslie Rielly was charged with assaulting F. Harrison, who in turn was charged with assaulting Rielly. George and Henry Rielly, brothers of one of the principals in the fight, allegedly aided and abbetted him. Senior Sergeant McCrorie appeared for the police. Mr. C. H. Croker represented Harrison, and Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert was counsel for 'the other defendants. All pleaded not guilty. It was admitted by counsel for the parties that a fight did take place, but, they said, it was more or less of a sparring match, and there was no “damage” done. Both men had consented to the fight, and took their coats off, and as they were on private property it was contended they had a right to settle their differences in such a fashion. The question of taking any action would be with the owner of the property, and not with the police. The informations were subsequently withdrawn by consent without any evidence being taken.

ASSAULTING AN INSPECTOR.

A charge of assaulting the county inspector (B. Tippins) was preferred against Peter McCabe, of Okato. Mr. A. A. Bennett, on behalf of defendant, pleaded not guilty. For complainant, Mr. R. H. Quilliam stated that Tippins paid a visit to McCabe’s house to collect the dog-tax. Defendant said he had paid the tax, and the collector replied that he had paid the 1920 tax, but not this year’s. McCabe responded by calling him a liar, and knocking him down; Evidence was given by complainant, who admitted, in response to cross-exam-ination, that he did not tell McCabe it was the 1921 tax he was collecting. He denied that he raised an enamel washbasin to strike defendant. Dr. H. A. McCleland said he attended Tippins for injuries to the left side of the face. They could be caused by a right-handed blow. Mr. Benriett said the case for the defence was that the assault, if any, was provoked by complainant, who used insulting language and called McCabe a liar. Defendant said he resented being called a liar, and told Tippins he would knock his head off. Tippins picked up an enamel basin; witness defended with his left arm, and received the force of the basin on his arm; the basin rebounded and caught Tippins on the face, which caused the injuries complained of. Corroborative evidence was given by Lorna McCabe, daughter of defendant. Defendant was convicted and fined £2, with costs £3 3s.