RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1678, 20 May 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before W. Fbaser, Esq., Warden.) ASSAULT. Tiki a native, was charged with, assaulting one John JRafferty on the 19th inst., in the Melbourne Hotel, Shortland. Plaintiff said the accused was in the kitchen of his hotel on the day stated, and he was trying to take food from the persons there; he remonstrated with him, when he took off' his coat and showed fight. The accused was very insulting. He was not druuk. To Mr Bullcn.—The assault took place in the passage to the bar. The accused has frequented my house, and is rather bouncible. [Nathaniel Weston sworn said.—He was in the Melbourne Hotel on the 19th, when the landlord asked the accused to pay for his supper —he had food in his hand at the time. Mr Eafferty said he would forgive him if he would go away quietly. The accused became very bouncible, and attempted to strike the landlord, who then tried to put him out. There were a good many Maoris present. The accused in his defence said that he went into the kitchen of the hotel and asked for something to eat. He was told there was nothing for him. He took some bread off the table and went to the bar for a glass of beer. Mr Eafferty asked him several times for payment, and then knocked him down. The glass of beer was paid for. Mr Eafferty came outside, when he, the accused, struck him and ran away, when Mr Eafferty followed him. He went back to Mr Eafferty's house when the house was full of Maories. He was then taken away by the police and locked up. ASSAULTING- THE POLICE. The same defendant was then charged with assaulting Constable Madill on the 19th instant. r Constable Madill examined by Mr Bullen —Said he was sent for to the Melbourne Hotel. He saw the prisoner, there. He was much excited and fightable. Mr Eafferty wanted his house cleared. There were a number of Maories present. The prisoner went towards the bar and placed, himself in a threatening position. He afterwards struck me several times. He caught me by the b^ard and attempted to gouge me. After he was thrown down he attempted to strike me. "Weston assisted me. The prisoner was not drunk. Nathaniel "Weston, sworn, deposed-r-That when he went to the assistance of the police he was thrown down by the natives and received a severe kick in the head. DAMAGING A POLICEMAN'S CLOTHES. The same man was charged with damaging Constable Madill's clothes to the amount of 30s. Constable Madill, sworn, said that the defendant when arrested was very violent, and tore his (witness') trousers*and uniform. It would take £110s to repair the damage. His Worship dismissed the first charge against the prisoner, deprecating most strongly the practice of publicans continually breaking the law in supplying the , natives with drink. On the second charge he fined the prisoner £5, or a month's imprisonment with hard labor, and said that it must be distinctly understood by the natives that a police officer must be treated by them with respect, and on no account must they interfere with him in the execution of his duty. For the third offence the prisoner was fined £1 and costs, or seven days' imprisonment. The prisoner was removed in custody. The Court then adjourned.