COURTS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 199, 29 May 1872, Page 3

COURTS.

POLICE COURT.— Yesterday. Before W. FRASER, Esq., R.M. DRUNKENNESS. Utoko Kapa was charged by Constable Furlong with being drunk in Grey-street between 8 and 9 o’clock on the previous evening. The accused pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence, the R.M. said there could he no douht the accused was drunk, and he must pay 10s and,, costs, or go to gaol for 24 hours.

BREACH OF SANITARY REGULATIONS. Arabella Champion was~charged with neglecting to clean the yard of certain premises in her occupation, in Pollenstreet, on the 20th instant, whereby a nuisance was caused. Mr Tyler appeared for Mrs Champion, who pleaded not guilty to the charge. Constable Brennan, Inspector of Nui-' sauces, stated that he visited Mrs Champion’s premises on the day abovo mentioned in company with Constable Furlong, and found the piggery in the yard in a very dirty state, and pieces >: putrid meat lying near it. There was i very offensive smell. Saw the defendant, and had some conversation with her, telling her it was necessary for her to get the pig-stye denned, and to remove the putrid meat. This, she said, should be attended to. She said she was carrying on business for herself, and that her bus band was not in New Zealand.

By Mr Tyler : I have not visited the premises since the 20th, and therefore cannot say if the nuisance has been removed. I have been absent on duty at Coromandel. I inspected the premises on the 20th in consequence of a complaint made by a neighbor. I think the putrid meat was beef. It was very much discolored, and might have been ham. It is a pretty large yard fenced in. In other respects than those I have mentioned the yard was clean. Constable Furlong, who accompanied the last witness on the occasion referred to, corroborated the testimony of the latter, and said the smell emanating from the piggery was very offensive. Mr Tyler said he should be able to show that the pig stye was as clean as a pigstye could bo, and that the meat was not putrid hut merely slightly tainted, so th»t not being quite good enough for Mrs Champion's numerous boarders was thrown out to the pigs that morning. The yard he should prove was remarkably clean, and that as soon as Mrs Champion’s attention was called to the mall r tire socalled putrid meat was removed. Henry Goldsmith, J.P. deposed that lie resides at Mrs Champion’s, and remembers the 20th instant. Knows lire yard. Pigs are kept at the end of it. Never noticed any offensive smell. On this particular day there was about 2 barrow-loads of manure. The yard and the whole estahnmnt are remarkable for c’eanliness. There was no more nuisance than what arises from a common pig-sfye. Saw some meat in the yard. It was not putrid, hut it was tainted, and would have beeu unpleasant as human food. There was nothing about the place to bo an annoyance to the neighbors. David Martin Mclntyre, a boarder of 2 years standing at Mrs Champion's, deposed to the remarkable cleanliness of the establishment, and stated that ho was “ thunderstruck” when he heard that the police had lodged a complaint. George William Baseley, teller in the Bank of New Zealand, stated that he had lived for the past 2 months at Mrs Champion’s. The yard was always kept in a very clean state. Never observed any offensive smell. Thomas Kitchen, assistant at Mr Airey’s, draper, &c., next door to Mrs Champion’s, stated that on the 20th instant he was in the back of Airey’s premises. Perceived nothing offensive from Mrs Champion’s premises. Don’t know whether or not there is a piggery on the establishment. The R.M. said there could be no doubt the charge had been proved within the meaning of the Act, but he thought it would have been as well if the Inspector had given notice to remove before laying the information. In consideration of the very good character given to the premises he should only impose the mitigated penalty of Is and costs. STRAY HORSE. Daniel J. O’Keeffe was charged by Constable Purcell with allowing a horse to wander at large at Parawai on the 4th instant. Mr Tyler said ho was instructed to plead guilty on behalf of Mr O’Keeffe, who was unavoidable absent at Auckland on important business connected with native lands. The R.M. said he would take the plea in this case, but in future, he should require the parties themselves to attend. Defendant was fined 2s fid and costs. Mr Stilwell, the Inspector for the Parawai District, at whose instigation these proceedings were taken, said he bad already lost three half-days by attending in Court expecting the case to come on. The R.M. said he would not allow Mr Stilwell more than 10s. OBSTRUCTING THE FOOTPATH. Eugene Murphy was charged with obstructing the footpath in Owen-street on the 23rd instant, by placing goods thereon. The defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 2s 6d and costs. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. James Thompson was charged with using indecent and obscene language in Pollen-street, on the 23rd irist. The defendant pleaded guilty. Mr Patrick Bbnfiehl, landlord of tiie Saracen’s Head Hotel, deposed to the language made use of, as did also Mr Rhodes, boot and shoe maker. Mr Matthew John Perston gave the defendant a good clmracter. William Swindon, labourer, also stated 'that he had known defendant for 8 years as a quiet, orderly man. The R.M. said there was a previous conviction for a similar offence, in which a fine of one shilling and costs were imposed hy Mr Davy. On this occasion, a • of 10s or 3 days’ imprisonment would be imposed. The tine was paid. MUSIC AND DANCING. An application for permission for music and dancing on the night of the 29ili inst., by William Cloughen, of the blafford Hotel, was granted.