RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 360, 8 March 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT TEMUKA.

Monday, Maech 7, 1881. (Before J Nugent Wood, Esq., R.M., and S.D. Barker, Esq., J.P.) USING THREATENING LANGUAGE. Henry Riddle was charged with having used threatening language against William Frew on 25th, 26th. and 28th Feb^ ruary. Mr White appeared on behalf of the complainant. William Frew deposed : The detendant was in my employ on the days mentioned. On the 25th I told him he did not suit me and he used bad language, which he continned on the following day. He said he would lay a month or two in gaol for me. According to the language used I desire that he may be bound over to keep the peace towards me. On this witness being cross-examined by defendant, it appeared that the quarrel arose through complainant desiring the former not to waste some cabbages that had been bought from the Chinamen. James Miller deposed that he was at complainant's house on 28th February, and heard some words about some, cabbages. Defendant was excited at the time. Thomas Hobbs also deposed to being at complainant's house on the 28th February. Heard complainant say that there

should be no cooking done. Defendant replied that he need not look to him for a feed, aud that he would take out a week in a gaol for him Henry Riddle deposed, in defence, that on 26th February lie was in complainant's house, and after the exchange of some words, he said to him that he was the meanest man he had worked for this side of the line, and that he did not give him ton much food. He had no malice against complainant. The wife of defendant deposed that on the 28th .February she heard complainant tell her husband that the cabbage should be stopped. Tiie Bench were of opinion that the threatening language had been used, and I complainant was entitled to protection. They would bind defendant over for six months in his own recognizances, for £25, and to pay his own costs aud solicitor's fee. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Sanviel Gibson was charged with having on 24th of last month cut off the tails, and otherwise maimed, two dogs, belonging to George Gapes and Leonard Tombs. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Leonard Tombs deposed to the condition of his dog on the 25th instant, when he discovered it in its.kennel covered with blood. George Gages deposed to seeing hia dog on the 25th February laying on its back. Its legs were tied with flax, and it was cut and otherwise maimed. Showed Constable Burke the condition of the dog. Afterwards, Sergeant Carlyon and myself found a large pool of blood in the flax near the Temuka Hotel, and tracks of blood were discernible near the gate and underneath the billiard-room. There were other traces of blood about the place. Saw accused on 25th February in front of the hotel. I noticed some hair and blood on his boots. John M. Ollivier, licensee of the Temuka Hotel, deposed to seeing the dog on the night of the 24th instant. It was tied up by him, and there was nothing the I matter with it. On the night of the 24th prisoner, who had been previously staying at the hotel, did not sleep there. Conrtable Burke deposed to knowing prisoner; and to seeing him about 11 p.m. on the 24th February crossing from the back yard of the Crown Hotel towards Ackroyd'a corner. He had something in his hand like a piece of rope. Witness then went to the station. On the morning of the 25th he saw the dogs, and aftorwards saw prisoner at the Temuka Hotel, whom he arrested on the charge of maiming two dogs. Accused said he was innocent and knew nothing about it. After we got out of the hotel accused told him that he could arrest him if he liked, but he was innocent. On being taken to the lock-up accused was searched. The knife produced and a piece of red herring, covered with hair similar to that of both dogs, were found on him. His boots were then taken off, and on the left one (produced) there were two or three spots lof blood. His coat was taken off, and on the left sleeve were spots of blood, and hair sticking thereto. The front of his shirt .vas covered wita dogs' hair and blood. [This witness then corroborated the evidence of the previous one in regard to the traces of blood. The remainder of his evidence was unfit for publication.] Dr Hayes deposed to being called to the lock-up at Temuka for the purpose of examining the clothing of accused. In reference to the blood and hair thereon. The spots on his left boot are those of blood. The hairs handed to him he had compared with those on the dogs, and they conesponded. He heard a noise during the night of the 24th like dogs quarrelling. It appeared to come from the direction of the Temuka Hotel.

Sergeant Carlyon deposed that he went with Constable Burke to the station with accused, charged with the maiming of two dogs. He was cautioned in the uaual manner. On the way to the lock-up accused showed where he had slept in the flax on the night of the 24th. I asked him how he knew of Tombs' dog having been maimed, when no one at the hotel knew of it. He replied that Dan, the butcher, and another person told him of it. He went to the spot near the hotel and saw the flax with spots of blood on it. He cut a piece off (produced). Richard Gee, residing at the Temuka Hotel, deposed to seeing accused on the morni B aid something about it being a d-d fine thing about Gapes' dog. He afco spoke about Tombs'. \^ Daniel Quarri deposed to seeing accused on the morning of the 25th. The last witness was with him. Didn't tell accused anything. Accused asked him if he had heard anything about maiming the dogs, and he said he had not. *-- Leonard Tombs, recalled, deposed to finding the dog in the state previously described at about a quarter-past seven that morning. The case being concluded,, his Worship deferred giving judgment till later in the day. CIVIL CASES. J. Brown v. Hadfield.— Claim.£6 for rent. A set-off had been filed, amounting to £7 15s, which plaintiff did not recognise. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs. R. Gee v. Barnett.—Claim £1 10s. Defendant pleaded not indebted. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs, 7s. The Court t%a adjourned till 3 p.m.

At the rising of the Licensing Court, Andrew Gibson was again brought before the Bench, charged with cruelty to aniin.il-i His Worship, in dismissing the cast*; remarked that the evidence was not sufficiently strong to convict. - The accused was then dischazß^** troni custody.