RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1018, 17 October 1882, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Temuka— Monday, Oct. 16,1882. [Before J. Beswick, Esq, R.M.] ASSAULT. Harry Kahu appeared in answer to a summons charging him with having committed an assault on his brother, George Kah», on the sth of October last,

George Kahn, the complainant! stated that on the day mentioned the defendant cams to him, and caught him hy the neck, and knocked him down. The cause was that Harry was putting himself up as a prophet and a medicine man, and ha (witness) told him it was of no use for him to go on with that rot ; he was no prophet, or if he was why did he not cure the sick man ? On previous occasions the defendant threatened to shoot witness, and to chop his head ’off with a tomahawk. He was afraid he might go on in that way, and do harm some day. Defendant : Did you not tell me that I was not fit to be amongst a lot of men ? Witness : I did not at that time. That was when yon said you would shoot me. Defendant ; Did you not interrupt the meeting ? Witness : No.

Defendant : Lid you not take possession of the meeting, and would not let any other person speak ? Witness : You had plenty ot time to speak. Harry Kahn, the defendant, said the fact of the matter was, that they were holding a private meeting against the trustees of the land. George was one of the trustees, and, as the meeting was against himself, when any one stood up

to speak he would commence to speak himself, and give no other one any chance of speaking at all. When witness commenced to speak George said lie was not fit to be amongst a lot of men. Witness told him he had no right to bo disturbing the meeting, and interrupting the speekers. When he would not desist witness tried to put him out. and laid hold of him ; but he did not put him out, and so things got quiet again. To complainant: The meeting was about the land. I did not tell what sign the comet was. I did get wild about the sick man, because you had no right to speak about him at the meeting. To the Court : I do not pretend to be a prophet. The meeting was not about the sick man, or the comet, but about the land. John Willis, another native, gave evidence to the effect that George Kahu was interrupting the speakers, and Harry attempted to put him out. His Worship said an assault had beem committed, and he would fine defendant 10s, and costs. If they came before him again he would bind the two of them over to keep the peace, and ■ they would find that a costly matter. CRUELTY TO A FOWL. James Fergusson was charged by the police with having on the Bth day of October last carried a fowl so as to cause it pain and suffering. William Demuth and Evan Yallender were the only witnesses examined, and their joint evidence showed that the defendant got the fowl at Richard Hoare’s place, Kerry Town, that he tied it by the logs to his saddle, and galloped into town with it hanging to his saddle. The defendant obtained leave to bring the fowl into Court, and then produced in a cage a very animated rooster, which showed that it hal recovered the result of the shaking it got, ami was now as well as ever. His Worship said he had acted cruelly towards the fowl, and fined him 10s and costs. BREACH OF THE LICENSING ACT. Peter Coira was charged on the information of Constable Morton with having on the night of the 26th of September last unlawfully kept his house, viz., the Royal Hotel, open for the sale of liquors during prohibited hours, between 11 and 12 o’clock. The defendant asked for an adjournment as Mr Hamersley was attending the District Court and could not be present to defend the case. Ilis Worship refused to grant the adjournment. Mr Johnson then defended the case. John Lawson, poundkeeper, Tcmuka, was examined, and said that on the night in question he went from the Volunteer Hall to the Hotel, at about 20 minutes past 11 o’clock, as he had some money which he had collected as door keeper at the entertainment. There were others beside himself in the dining-room when the police came. He had a glass of whiskey before the police came. They had not been ,15 minutes in the hotel" when the police came in. Mr Stratton asked him to drink. Robert White supplied the drinks and took away the glasses. To Mr Johnston Mr Stratton was bandmaster, and as he was leaving a complimentary benefit was given to him that night. He coula not say who paid for the drinks. Mr Stratton was the guest of the evening. The bar door was shut. Mr Coira did not act in the entertainment. To Constable Morton : I got home about 20 minutes to one. Constable Morton : How did you know the time. Witness: You told me. (Laughter.) G. J. Mason, saddler, gave evidence to the effect that he was in the room adjoining the bar, and that no drink had been supplied to any one there. , There were between 6 and 8 in the room. They were shaking shillings in a hat for amusement to see who would turn most heads. He had drink there. Constables Burke and Morton gave evidence to the effect that they found people in the rooms at 20 minutes to 12 o’clock, several of whom were not boarders. Some of them left almost immediately, and some remained som# time after. They saw no mo ivy passed. Mr Johnston urged that there was not a scintilla of evidence to support the information in the case. His Worship said he was fully satisfied that liquor had been sold. He would fine defendant £5, as it was his first offence, and the conviction would be endorsed on his license. ■ CIVIL CASES. F, Hooper , v. Gates—Claim £8 2s. Judgment by default for the amount claimed and cojsts.

J. M. Ollivier v, Munyard—Claim £5. Judgment summons. Ordered to pay within 48 hours or go to gaol for a month. F. Hooper v. Lcckner —Claim £8 Bs, dishonored promissory note. Ordered to day at the rate of £2 10s per month, or, in default of any payment, g* to gaol for 14 days. The Court then adjourned.