RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3911, 12 July 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY

(Before H. Kenrick, Esq., E.M.) DRUNKESNJESS.

One person was charged with being drunk and incapable in Pollen street. He pleade4 gujlty, but, ay he h_ad tjeen locked up all night he was discharged with a caution. DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN A PUBMO PLACE. Joseph Friedman was charged with discharging firearms in a shooting gallery in Brown street, without first qbtaining permission to do go from the Borough. Defendant pleaded guilty.

Constable Haslett deposed to visiting Mr priedman's shotting gallery in Brown street. HCe observed a number pf persons standing in the doorway. Firing was going pn at a target jn the room.

M«" Dean proved that defendant bad no permission frpm the Borough Council to discharge firearms in the Borough.

Defendant said he had been to Mr Dean, and he could not tell him whether any permission was needed. His Worship reserved decision till Friday. Matiu Eapana was charge^ witji provpking a breach of tj^e peace' pn the fth Jqly in Qrey street, §hpr'tland. Mr Taipasi, Satire Assessor, took his seat on the Bench on behalf of the natives. I

Defeudaut pleaded sot guilty, and said

he had only turned round to send his wife homo to his children.

George Hunter deposed that he saw defendant in Grey street on the 7th inst. about 5 o'clock. Defendant's wife passed him, and defendant ran after and either knocked or pushed her down, and then started kicking her. He kicked her severely on the back and legs. He could not say whether the woman was drunk or not. He was the the first person present, but a small crowd soon gathered. Wm. Henry Craig corroborated last witnesses evidence. The natives standing around did not attempt to stop defendant, and some of them called out " Kapai, Kapai." Constable Stapleton deposed to asking defendant why he had assaulted his wife, and he said that she was his property, and he could do what he liked with her. On asking the woman what was the matter she said she had been drunk. She was, however, sober enough to walk away by herself.

Defendant said his wife was drunk, and as it was getting late, he told her to go home several times to take care of his children, but she would not. He then tried to make her go home, when she fell down, and he tried to lift her up with his foot. The natives ar und did not interfere, because he was not liltreating the woman.

His Worship said defendant wp quite justified i» trying to send his wife home, especially as she was druok, but it was very cowardly of him to kick her. He was sorry to hear from the constable's evidence that the natives had not got rid of the old notion that their wives were their own property, and they could do what they liked with them, idle advised defendant to get rid of this idea as soon as he could, as native women had as much right to protection as white women. He would fine him £1, and costs £1 3s, or in default ldi days' imprisonment.

Court adjourned