MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8982, 16 November 1907, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MASTERTON—FRIDAY, Before Mr W. P. James, S.M. A first offender was fined ss, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, for having been drunk. Peter Hansen, for whom Mr B. J. Dolan appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of entering licensed premises during the currency pf a prohibition order against him. A fine of 5s was imposed. Patrick Bowen, who did not appear, was charged with having accompanied the previous defendant into the hotel knowing him to be a prohibited person, and was fined £1 with 7s costs. On the information of the Clerk of the Masterton County Council, Patrick Hamill was charged with having illegally rescued animals from the county ranger on the Taueru road, and with having allowed horses to wander on the road. Dr. Trimble appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr C. A. Pownall for the defendant. Dr. Trimble, in outlining the facts of the case, said that on October 11th the ranger saw four horses wandering on the Taueru road. He seized and roped them with the object of taking them to the Masterton pound. Defendant came up at Te Ore Ore and demanded that the horses be given up to him, alleging that by paying the necessary fees, he could demand the return of his horses. The ranger having no authority to this effect refused to give up possession. Defendant then struck the horses with a whip and took them out of the ranger's hands. The ranger was not bound to accept any fees, and counsel submitted that there was.no excuse for such conduct.

For the defence, Mr Pownall said he would admit the charge of allowing the horses to wander, but concerning the other alleged offence, a defence on the merits would be submitted. Apart from this it appeared that a duly established pound was located about half-a-mile fjrom the spot where the horses were taken by the ranger, yet the latter was bringing them to the Masterton pound —a distance of about eight or nine miles. A ranger was compelled by the Act to deliver up the stock on payment of driving fees. The Magistrate considered that the fact whether the Taueru pound had been abolished or not had an important bearing on the caso, and he would allow the case to be adjourned until that matter had been looked into.