RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1469, 18 February 1886, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Temuka—Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1885, [Before J. Beswick, Esq., R.M.] CUTTING REINS.

W. Philp, a lad, was charged with having on the slh instant, at Winchester, cut a pair of driving reins, the property of W, Bishop. Mr Aspinall said he appeared for the defence.

His Worship : What age is the boy ?

Constable Morten ; Nine years,

His Worship : Well, even if he did cut the reins, he ought to have been whipped. Who laid the information ?

Constable Morton : I did. Constable Morton : On the 6th inst, Mr Bishop, of Winchester, complained to me that his reins had been out in three different places. They had been cut with some sharp instrument. I went up to Winchester on the 9tb, and, hearing that something was known about culling the reins, 1 went to another little hoy similar to the accused, and asked him if tie knew anything about the reins. His name is Alexander Webster. I tqok him up to Mr Philps’s place, and told him how the boys were charged with cutting the reins of Mr Bishop. Tim boy said he never did it. I asked a boy named Fenton tn say all he knew shout the reins. He said : “ Billy Philp cut it. They cut them coming out of school.” Philp denied it. The other said he did after some heaitas tion, I told him that he need not be frightened, he had only to tell the truth, and lie admitted if.

Mr Aspinall objected to this evidence. His Worship said there was a great mistake made about the duty of ■■■

policeman when arresting anyone. A policeman was supposed to keep liis ears open and hear all he could. It was not his duty to warn the person arrested. Mr Aspinall said that a constable had no right to cross-examine anyone. Constable Morton continued his evidence : After a short time I said I was going down in the train, and he said that he did cut thorn ; that ho got the knife under the bed. I sent the other hoys away after they accused him. His Worship : Did you promise him that if he told the truth he need not be afraid of the consequences ?

Constable Morton : I told him that he need not be afraid it he spoke the truth. I meant he bad nothing to fear so far as I was concerned.

His Worship : Well, 1 don’t think you should have done that. He did not think under the circumstances the case could go on.

The boy was then discharged, Mr Aspinall stating he had evidence to prove that the boy had no knife on the day in question. ILLEGAL RESCUE.

F, Oldfield was charged by R, Lavery with having illegally rescued a number of sheep, seized by him for the purpose of being impounded, on the 7th instant.

Mr Aspinall appeared for the complainant. The evidence of complainant went to show that on Sunday, the 7th, he found a number of the defendant’s sheep in one of his paddocks among the barley. As it was church time, he gave the sheep into the charge of a lad named Nelson to mind till he returned, when he intended to impound them. On his return he found the sheep were gone. W. Nelson, the lad left in charge of the sheep, said that while he was minding the sheep Mr Oldfield came and asked : “ What are you doing there, Bill ?” Ho said he was minding the sheep. Mr Oldfield said he would get them out of that, and sent his dogs and took them through the fence. He told Mr Oldfield he had better not take the sheep, and when Mr Lavery returned ho told him what had happened.

F. Oldfield said that he went down to see after his sheep on the 7th, and, seeing some of them in complainant’s paddock, he took them out. There might have been 200 of them. He saw Nelson, who was in another paddock, and asked him what he was doing, and lie replied that ho was watching the sheep. He (the witness) thought he was keeping them out of the paddock of barley, and so he took them away, Nelson said : “ Hadn't you better leave them there ?” His Worship, after stating that the case was not a serious one, inflicted a tine of 20s, and allowed the expenses of one witness, Ss solicitor’s fee, and costs of Court, CIVIL CASKS. F. White v. W. Naylor—Claim Ll2 13s 6d.

Mr Tosswill appeared for the plaintiff. Judgment by-default for the amount claimed and costs.

P. White v. Cope—Claim 18* 61. Mr Tosswill appeared for the plaintiff. Judgment by confession for amount claimed and costs.

Charles Story v. Orlando Matthews, Mr Tosswiil appeared for the plaintiff, Adjourned till next sitting of the Court,

Proudlock v. F. Pranks—Claim L 6 IBs 61.

This was a claim for wages for working from August 12th to September 25th.

To defendant: I did ask you for an order on Mr Brown. I got L2 16s 4d. I never got the order.

F. Franks : The plaintiff was engaged by me for malting at 5s per day. He asked me for an order on Mr Brown, and I did not give it. Mr Brown asked me for the order, and I gave h to him. I thought it was paid. Judgment for a nount claimed and costs. ibe Cowrit then rose.