RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2616, 28 May 1877, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. # (Before W. Fraser, Esq., E.M.)

ASSAULT.

. Margaret Murdock and John Murdock were'charged wilh unlawfully assaulting one Eliza Jiichards, on the 18th inst.

Mr Dodd appeared for the defendants (a mother and son), who pleaded not guilty ; and Mr Macdonald appeared for the comulainant. ,

A.t Cke request of Mr Dodd all witnesses were ordered out of Court. ? - ■-■*■••

Mr Macdonald stated the case as give^ in evidence below.

Eliza Richards (a girl aged about 16 years) sworn, deposed—l reside at Tapu. I know the defendants. I live near them. The assault took place on Friday week at about half• past two. I was passing near Mrs Murdock's house, and the boy was' scraping some gum. Mrs Munlock ran; out and said, " Do you know what mother Holt has.gone and told Mrs Hawkes about me." The boy said that if I did not keep my tongue to myself he would make me, and then his mother told him tpset.the dog on me and knock my brains out. Mrs Murdock and the boy then ran at me-and struck me. The woman clapped her hand and put" the dog on to me, and it bit me. I threw a stone at the dog. Mrs Murdock had me by the hair of the head, and struck me with a ti-tree stick., Mrs Bowden ctme up and asked if she was going to kill me. She stopped and began calling Mrs Bowden bad names. I don't know what caused them to assault me.. ;

By Mr Dodd—Mrs Bowden was the onlyperson present at the'beginning of the' row, I gave no provocation at all. I didnot strike the boy. By Mr Macdonald—l screamed and that brought a lot of people up. ; Sarah Bowden, sworn, deposed—l reside at Tapu a little distance from Mrs Murdock.' As T was coming i down the track on the 18th inst. I saw the girl, Richards, standing opposite Mrs Murdock's door, and then I saw the boy come out and strike her on the face, and then the dog ran out and fastened on her, on the girl. Then the mother came out and began putting the dog on. She called the girl bad names and beat her with a stick.

By Mr Dodd —I have no ill-feeling against the defendants. By Mr Macdonald—l have told you all that has taken place. Jane Holt, sworn, deposed—l live at Tapu, and the plaintiff is my daughter. On the 18th mst. my attention, was attracted by my girl screaming. I went to where I heard the noise,,and found Mrs Murdock and her boy striking the girl. Her nose was bleeding, and her dress torn. The dog was set on to me by the bey, and he struck me. The girl's dress was torn.

This concluded the evidence for the prosecution. Mrs Mayenberg, sworn, deposed—l reside at Tapu, and recollect the 18th of the month. I heard the noise as v of children screaming, and ran out and saw the girl and Mrs Murdock pulling each other's hair. The boy was doing nothing at the time. I went inside, and did not see the end of the row.

John Murdock, sworn, deposed—l am one of the defendants, and live at Tapu. On the 18th Eliza Richards was passing and she called me a sneak and a thief, and said she would skin me. She then hit me, and I hit her back, and.she "shied" a brick at me. I did not set the dog on to the girl. My mother did not touch her. Margaret Murdock, sworn, deposed—l reside at Tapu. (Witness here corroborated the former witness' testimony.) Fined 203, and costs £4165.

wAndebing animals.

Caleb Kneebone was charged' with allowing one sow and three pigs to wander at large at Tararu. Defendant through his son pleaded guilty. Fined ss, and costs 19s. Court adjourned.