COURTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 191, 20 May 1872, Page 3

COURTS.

POLICE COURT.— Saturday. Before JACKSON KEDDELL, Esq.. R.M. Transfer of Licence. —An application for a transfer of the licence for the Union Hotel, Chven-street, from G. H. Tudhope to Alfred Barchard was granted. Cruelty to a Horse. —Bernard O’Donnell was charged with cruelty to a horse at Grahamstown, on the 14lh inst. The defendant pleaded not guilty.—Constable Brennan stated that he saw the defendant at Shortland, on the day in question, in charge of two pack-hoises, both carrying loads. The defendant removed the packsaddle from one of the horses, and witness observed a big law sore on the horse’s side, underneath the saddle. Witness told the defendant not to load the horse, but to give him some rest. He, however, persisted in putting the load on the horse’s back again, and proceeding on his way towards the gum-diggings. The horse cringed and bent under the, load, as if suffering much pain. The load consisted apparently of a keg and a sack of potatoes. There was a piece of bagging underneath the saddle.— Detective Murphy

gave corroborative testimony.—The defendant said there was a small sore on the horse, but he was obliged by contract to go on with his load as far as the Rob Roy, and the men in the bush could not go without their “ tucker.” When this trip was over the horse was put into the stable, and is there now with his hack all right. The horse was his own, and it was not likely that he would work him when he was unable. —The R.M. said he must consider the case proved, hut it was not a very aggravated one, the mitigated penalty of £1 and costs (7s 6d) would he imposed. Assaulting a Maori.— William Gibbons was charged with using provoking and insulting language to Taitua Kaingaroa, and also with assaulting him at Grahamstown on the 11th instant.—The complainant, who speaks good English, said the matter had been settled the previous evening. The case was accordingly struck out.

Provoking Language.— John Gibb was charged with making use of provoking language t<> Maigaret McGinn on (in; 15th instant.—Mr Dodd appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty.—'The complainant stated that she is the wile of Michael McGinn, living at the Karaka. On the day named she was driving some geese along, when defendant came up and called her a very had name, and also used other improper language, and accused her and her husband of stealing his ducks and geese. The defendant is a next door neighbour. McGinn, the husband of complainant, stated that he was lying awake in bed on the day in question, (he was working on a night shift), when he heard some had words being made use of, and soon afterwards his wife came in and complained. Witness knew the voice to be that of John Gibb who lived next door. The defendant, was put into the witness box and slated that he never made use of the language imputed to him by Mr and Mrs McGinn. Their statement is false. Has no ill feeling towards them. They are not very good neighbours. The R.M. dismissed the case, considering there was not sufficient evidence to sustain the charge. Costs £1 11s. Stealing from a Dwelling House.— John William Shandley, a boy 12 years of age, was brought up on remand, charged with stealing on the 24th April £lO, from the dwelling house of John Kenyon. Prosecutor deposed : I am a miner living at the Karaka and know the prisoner who lives near my place. Ilis parents and myself are intimate with each other, and the prisoner has had free access to my place. On the 21st April I had two £5 notes and some silver in a looking glass drawer in the bedroom. On the 28th I missed the two £5 notes. The purse and the rest of the notes was not taken. On the 24th the prisoner was at my house. I saw the prisoner after he was arrested and brought to Shorthand. I then accused him of stealing the two £5-notes, and he said lie had taken them on the morning he brought the washing-tub (24th April). I never gave him authority to take this money.— The prisoner declined to put any questions to the witness. —The father of the boy said the latter was twelve years of age.— Constable Furlong stated that, on the 9th instant, he received the prisoner from the special constable at Waiuku, and escorted him to the Thames. Prisoner said, “I took two ,£5-notes out of the lookingglass drawer at Mr Kenyon’s, and planted them in the stamper-box of Scanlon’s old machine. I afterwards removed it out of that, and put it in a corner, under the earth. I used to visit it sometimes. I changed it again, and the last time I visited it I found it was gone. I took £7 from my father, and went to Auckland. I bought a suit of clothes, two travelling hags, a pair of hoots, and neckties, and took the ’bus, and went to Onehunga, and from there to Waiuku.” A suit of clothes and £1 3s in money, and two travelling hags, were found upon the prisoner. On arrival at the Thames, prisoner was taken to Scanlon’s Machine, and he pointed out the spot where he said he had planted the money. —The prisoner declined to ask this witness any questions, or to make any statement in answer to the charge.—The R.M. observed that it appeared the lad had been previously discharged for stealing timber from the Una Company’s ground, hut was discharged with a caution. —In answer to the Magistrate, the father said Hie son had been a very had lad.—The R.M. said lie regretted there was no Reformatory to which he could send the prisoner for a term of years, in addition to the sentence he would pass. He would not pass sentence to-day, for he felt unwilling to send the hoy to gaol. He would take the opportunity of inquiring if there was any place in Auckland where the prisoner could he received. The prisoner would he remanded until Monday. In the meantime he would think over what sentence should he passed, hut flogging would certainly form part of the punishment. If prisoner had any feeling lie should think what a sad case” this was for his parents, who no doubt had had trouble and anxiety with him during the 12 years of his life. Neighbours’Quarrel. —Kate Davy was charged with using insulting language to Eliza Bradburn, at Grahamstowii, on the 15th inst. A cross-information charged Eliza Bradburn with the like treatment towards Kate Davy. Another information charged George Bradburn with using insulting language to Mary Davy. Air Tyler stated that these cases had nil been settled out of Court.