RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3412, 28 November 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY.

(Before H. Kenrick, Esq., B.Mj 15 n EACH OV THJS NAVAI TRAINING SCHOOI ■ ACT. ■' - Robert Trotter,,a settler at Waiomoi was charged with a breach of the Naval Training School Act, by iliusing W. Webb Moore, an upprentice under the Act from l*t September to the 12th November. Defendant pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Miller. Mr Kenny conducted the case for the police, and Mr Brassey was preseut to watch the case in the boy's interest, being insiriicted by Mr Ehrenfried. •; Capt. Breton, manager of Ihfi Naval Tr.-iiiiing School, Kohimarimara, deposed that he knew W. Webb Moore, formerly an inmate of the school. He was indentured to Mr 11. Trotter, of Waipmo. Alter the lad was apprenticed to Mr Trotter, witness received several letters from him, which were read. (l"he letters complained of the boy's laziness and bad conduct.) The boy was a good boy at the school. He was committed tecause his father and molhor were dead.

W. Wibb Moore, sworn, deposed-—I had been apprenticed to Mr Trotter, of Waionio, from the Training School. -Mf • Trotter frequently abused me, he having beat me with a supplejack' end a bullock whip. I used to get no breakfast till I brought in the cattle. Witness described at length the ill-usage to which he had been subjected to. In cross examination, Mr Miller elicited that ho had several times given back' answers to Mr Trotter and his wife, and was dirty in his habits. At the time of Mrs Trotter's confinement, he was sent to Grahamstown for a doctor, and had been away nine hours, for which he got thrashed. He had been met on the bridge by Jackson, and showed him the scars.

Fred. Jackson, master of a trading cutter, and John Brown deposed to seeing the marks of ill usage on the boy's head and back.

William Page, sworn, gave corroborative evidence.

liobert Trotter, sworn, deposed—The boy was sent to the kitchen to take his meals because cf his dirty habits. He never would clean himself. I never struck him on the score of uncleanlitess. I have beaten the lad several- times because of his indolent habits and thieving propensities. I beat him with a small stick. It was his own fault that he received the scar ou his face. He was in the habit of swearing at my wife. My wife liked the boy well enough.

Mrs Trotter was also examined. | Elizabeth Ann Plutuiner, sworn, deposed—l am sisf^r lo Mrs Trotter. I examined the boy three times after he received the thrashing. The only mark I snw was on the face. I was present when ho was beaten. He did not cry much. He received about 18 blows. He received plenty of food and clothes, and was kindly treated. John Plummcr also gave evidence, but no material fact severe elicited

His Worship then .summed, up. the evidence ond held that defendant was yuilty of ill-using the boy. He would be fined £1 and costs and the boy's indentures would be cancelled. HBEACH OF HAB.VOB BEGULATIONS. Louis Ehrenfried was lined 10s and costs for driving a horse and vehicle down tho Burke street wharf. CHIMNEYS AFIBE. Michael Conroy and a Miranda native, temporarily residing in Shortland, were fined Is and costs each for allowing their chimneys to take fire.

. .„ NEGLECTED CHILD. , t ■ Jane McConnell was charged with being a neglected child.

Constable Menzies deposed that the girl was found living with the Maories at Ohinomuri. ;

Jane Kelahar deposed she had. sent her daughter to tho Maories on'a visit. 'She did not Rive her to tho Maories.

His, Worship ordered her to be handed over to beY mother.