COURTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 143, 25 March 1872, Page 3

COURTS.

POLICE COURT.— Saturday Before W. FUASEII, Esq., lI.M.

Furious Riding. —Hare Piki Kuri and Iloneane were charged with furious riding on the Parawai Road. Shorthand, on the 14th inst.—The defendants pleaded not guilty.—Jonathan Hoyles, milkman, Parawai, stated that on the day above mentioned about 3 o’clock in the afternoon he was coming along the road near Banks’ slaughter-house, in a light cart, when the defendants came along at full tare, and rode right on to witness’s horse and cart. One of the shafts was broken, and the horse thrown by the collisionThe defendants were riding at such a pace as to have no control over their horses, and. although they attempted to pull up, they were unable to do so before the accident took place.—George Isbester corroborated the statement of the last witness. —The R.M. told the defendants that it was necessary for the protection of the lives and property of the public that the regulations should be enforced for furious liding, of which there could be no doubt defendants had been guilty, but no doubt they were not so well acquainted with the law on the subject as Europeans, and under the circumstances he would impose the mitigated penalty of 10s. and costs, or in default of payment 7 days’ imprisonment.

Stray Quadrupeds. —Alexander Thomas was charged with allowing a horse to wander at large at Parawai on the lGth inst., and was fined 2s 6d and costs.— John Hendy for permitting a cow to stray in the same locality was fined in a like amotit. —James Dooling for allowing a horse to stray in Grey-street on the 17th insi.. was subjected io a like penalty.

Assault. —Perrier v. Stidoltii.—Sidney Stidolph was charged with assaulting John Moore Perrier, at Grahainstown, on the 21st inst. Mr Macdonald appeared for complainant, and defendant in person. —J. M. Perrier deposed : lam a journalist living at Shortland, and know defendant. I was at the office of the Eccnhuj Star, Grahainstown, on the morning of the ‘2lst inst. The defendant came into the office. I was writing at the desk, and hearing my name called, I turned round, and saw defendant, who said ho wanted to have a rpiiet talk. Some conversation then took place about the “Intelligent Vagrant,” and Stidolph (ailed me a liar, and hit me over the head. I told him he had better be careful, and taking him by the collar and back of the trousers, turned him out. When he got outside, he wanted me to fight, but I declined. He hit at me twice, and came back to the office. Mr McCullough then interfered, and ejected him—By defendant: I never had my nose pulled by John Howe, the actor. I was never in Hokitika. I did call out: “ McCullough ! McCullough ! help.” I did not call on Mr McCullough to help me because I was unable to turn him out myself, but because I was tired.—Defendant here said Mr Peirier was always insulting people, and that one was looking out for him with a horsewhip last night. If he (Stidolph) got fined his friends wished to pay the fine by penny subscriptions, but he should decline to receive it.—William McCullough, of the Eieniny Star, said he was present when Mr Stidolph came to the office, and that Mr. Perrier’s version of the matter was correct. After the defendant had been turned out, Perrier said “ I’m getting tierd of this work, help me to put tliis man out,” or something to that effect. You had been outside the door and came back again with Perrier.— The defendant said after what had appeared in the paper (Star 20th inst.) he went to demand an apology, and told Mr Perrier he might criticise but not insult. Perrier denied the authorship. Witness then told him he was a liar and a coward, and slapped him on the face. It was not true that Mr Perrier turned him out, because he was unable to do it, and called to Mr McCullough to help him. Mr Perrier was always insulting people.—The B.M. said he could see no justification for this assault, and as defendant seemed to think there were people at his back ready to pay his fine and back up this sort of nonsense he (the R.M.) would not give defendant the option of paying a fine, but would send him to prison for seven days. The defendant appeared rather astonished at this decision.