RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3577, 14 June 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before H. Kenrick, Esq., 8.M.) CHABGE OF INDECENT ASBAUXT. William CarneH was charged with committing an indecent assault on Margaret Ferguson on the 9th June at the Wharf Hotel, she being then between the age of 10 and 12. Sub-Inspector Kenny asked for a remand of eight days in order to obtain evidence from Auckland. His Worship said he thought it was better to take some evidence, so as to show that there was some case. Detective J. Farrell said he arrested the prisoner and charged him with the offence. He replied that he had taken the girl to put her to school, but that he was not guilty. The remand was granted, bail being fixed at £400 for himself, and two sureties of £200 each.

Prisoner said he was not guilty. His Worship : You are not supposed to be guilty until the charge has been brought home to you. Prisoner was further charged with taking the girl out of the care' of her father, Samuel Ferguson, without his consent, on or about the Bth June. This charge was withdrawn. OFFENCES AGAINST THE'DOG TAX. Michael Hennelly was charged with having a dog without a collar. Mr Brassey appeared for the defendant, and said he should take exception to the information. Mr Hennelly had already been fined—under the 9th section. His Worship said that Mr Brassey had mis-read the section. He could not recognise the objection. Constable Alexander said he remem> bered finding a liver-coloured pointer in Albert street. He locked it up. . Cross-examined by Mr Brassey—He did not know whose dog it was.

Sergeant Mulville, sworn, said he did not know whose dog it was. He had seen it about Mr Heunelly's feet.

Sergeant Louis said he 'believed the dog was Mr Hennelly's. He had seen it frequently with him. Cross-examined: He told mo he was keeping the dog for Colonel Fraser. It was close to his heels.

Mr Brassey said there was no case made out, and contended that there was no evidence to show that the dog was Mr Hennelly's. The dog was the property of some person. Michael Hennelly said that the dog was not in his possession. He was shooting on the Queen's Birthday. When be found that the dog was not registered he took a dog-collar for him. Thejkg was ndTnis, butHkacHb»ei^nt~tim~By Colonel Fraser. I The Court s*ad that Mr Hennelly was | the temporary owner of the dog on the 30th May, and he would be fined Is and costs.

His Worship remarked that there was some misunderstanding over the question. The instructions of the police were to report every dog without a collar, and they were only doing their duty in doing so. If they omitted to do so they were subject to a penalty of 40s. He made these remarks in order to assure the public that the police were only doing their duty. J. Williams was fined Is and costs.

J. W. Walker.—Mr Brassey appeared for the defendant, and pleaded guilty. Fined Is and costs.

John Poulgrain was fined 5s and costs. Edward Campbell was fined Is and costs.

The Court was adjourned.