RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2630, 13 June 1877, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before W. Eraser, Esq., R.M.) BKEJECH OF THK PEACE. Nickiera Potiki (a native youth of about 18) was charged that ho did unlawfully behave in such a manner in a public place whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr Wilkinson was sworn as interpreter. Mr Bullon informed the Bench that the defendant had been very noisy last evening, and created a disturbance. He was not drunk. He had endeavored to make a Europern lad fight with him, and when interfered with by Mr Hamlin wanted to fight with him also. Some other Natives had also been mixed up with the affair, but as yet they had not been apprehended. The defendant had offered no resistance to the police, while some of the others had done so. B. J. Hamlin told the Bench that he had been in Shortland last night on business with a youth (a cadet), whom he found with the defendant who was urging him to fight. Defendant had endeavored rery much "to provoke the boy to fight him. They at last went on the beach to fight, and a crowd of Natives also went. )^The youth gave the defendant no provocation. Defendant was striking the boy when he (witness) interfered and protected the boy. Defendant said last night the European boy had wanted to fight with some other Native boys, and he (defendant) was asked would he fight the boy, which he agreed to do. His Worship said that defendant was answerable in a measure for the whole disturbance last night, as he had asked other Natives to assist him, but when the older Natives came before him (if they did) he would punish them more severely. Fined 20s and costs, or 7 days' imprisonment. BSEACH OF BY-IA.W. Charles Winder was charged with breach of section 16, part 1, By-law No. 1, Borough of Thames, by unlawfully acting as driver of a Borough stage carriage within the Borough of Tliames without having a license so to act. Defendant pleaded not guilty. J. B. Mason, deposed—l am Inspector of Licensed Vehicles for the Borough. On the Bth I saw defendant driving a carriage. On Monday I went and remonstrated with him. Defendant was driving a cab belonging to Parker, and he had no license to do so. By defendant—Mr Parker told me you drove the cab. George Parker, sworn, deposed—l remember Monday. Mr Mason came to me, and I told him defendant drove the cab a little while for me. By defendant —You did not drive the cab from Mary street. You had the reins about three minutes, during which time you were driving down Pollen street. Defendant said he did not think he ought to have a license for driving only about a minute. His Worship said the wrong done had been simply the proper driver allowing defendant to take charge of the reins, and Mr Mason had done quite right in bringing the case before the Court. Young cab drivers were apt to be careless in these matters. He thought it would meet the case, however, by inflicting a nominal penalty of Is and costs. This was all the business.