COURTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 141, 22 March 1872, Page 2

COURTS.

POLIGE COURT. —Yesterday. Before W. Eraser, Esq., lt.M. Drunkenness. —Andrew Smith, charged with being drunk and disorderly in Brownstreet, Grahauistown, pleaded not guilty. The offence was proved, and lie was fined 20s, or 48 hours’ imprisonment. The accused said he would “ take it out.”— Donald McLean, also charged with being drunk, said lis was guilt}', but it was the first time Fined 10s, or 24 hours’ imprisonment.—Marlin Burke, charged with a like offence, was on bail. He did not appear, and the amount of his recognisance was forfeited.

Abusive Language. —Thomas Dare was charged with using abusive and insulting language towards one George 11. Burnett, at Shorthand, on the lGlh instant.—Mr Tyler appeared for the complainant, and Mr Dodd for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.—Mr Tyler stated that the case arose out of one of a recent date, in which the present complainant was charged with maliciously killing a goat. That case was dismissed, and since then defendant had made use of abusive and threatening language towards complainant, and also his wife, besides which lie had made use of threats to burn Burnett’s place, and had knocked down his fence. lie called George lledpath Burnett, who deposed that lie knew defendant, who had recently charged him witii maliciously killing a goat, which charge had been dismissed On Saturday last, the lGth, between five and six o’clock, witness passed defendant’s place, and called out, “ Do you want that £5 ?” (Witness had summoned defendant for £5 damages.) Witness, on going into his yard, saw defendant pulling down the fence, and on remonstrating with him, defendant called witness frightful names, and challenged him to light. Witness never gave prevocation, nor spoke to him, except to ask that ho would leave the fence alone. He did not bring this charge out of malice

•--Mr Dodd cross-examined the witness.— William John Iloldit, a miner, residing in the llapc Creek, corroborated the evidence of complainant as to the language used in the street and the back yard.—For the defence Mr Dodd called Thomas Dare, the defendant, who deposed that on Saturday last complainant called him “ a old scoundrel,” and said lie would “ make it hot ” for him if he didn’t leave the fence alone. Witness was picking up some palings which had fallen off the fence, and did not use any abusive language until after complainant had called him names.—Henry Hall, living on Ilape Creek, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness, and said he had heard wrangling, and on opening his door tlio first bad language lie heard was made use of by Burnett. Defendant was bound over to keep the peace for three months —himself in £2O and two sureties of £lO each, and to pay costs. The R.M. observed that goats seemed to be as prolific a source of quarrel between neighbours as drink.

Assault. Hector McKenzie was charged with assaulting one George lleid, on the 18th instant, by striking him with a whip. Defendant pleaded not guilty.— Mr T\ ler said defendant had pleaded not guilty for the purpose of eliciting the evidence. The complainant had taken away defendant’s horse and ridden away, and the latter caught him, and in the irritation of the momeut horsewhipped him, — Geo,

Reid, complainant, deposed that ho was an apprentice to a cabinet maker. On Monday he was going to tl»e races and saw a cream coloured pony straying. lie got on its back, thinking to do somebody a good turn, when on passing a hotel Mr McKenzie called out to him and told him to take care of it for a few minutes, blit not to go far away. Witness, however, came up to Shorthand, and defendant followed in a cab, and flogged witness with the thick end of the whip.—By Mr Tyler: Witness did not refuse to get off the horse when defendant told him to do so. —Edward Moss, deposed that ho was a cab driver, and saw defendant meet Reid, catch hold of him, and thrash him with a whip.— James Cornell stated that be bad seen the horse straying about at the back of the Cornwall Arms. Reed caught it and rode it to the public-house. Had lie not done so, witness would have caught the horse.—Janies Gridin, a draper’s assistant, deposed to having seen the horse wandering, and to calling out, “ There’s a horse, who's going to the races?” Reed then caught the horse, and rode it off.—For the defence, Mr Tyler called Seth Adolphus Clarke, who deposed that he had gone into the hotel with the defendant, who left his horse nibbling the grass outside. They only stayed a short time in the hotel, and when they came out saw the hoy riding off on the horse at a fast gallop. Witness did not know if the boy rode up to the hotel and called out, as lie was engaged talking at the time.— William Booth stated that lie had gone into the hotel with Mr McKenzie, leaving the pony grazing. When they got outside, they saw someone cantering off. They followed in a cab, and at Butt’s Corner found complainant on the horse. Mr McKenzie told him to get off, and then the assault took place.—Defendant was lined‘2os and costs. Obstructing THE Footpath. Nathaniel Stafford was charged with obstructing the public thoroughfare, at the junction of Brown and Albert-streets, Grahamstown, by allowing bis vehicle to stand across the same, on the 3Gtl l instant. —Defendant pleaded guilty, stating that lie was not aware that he was doing wrong at the time.—The. Bench imposed the nominal penalty of Is and costs.