POLICE COURT, ARATAPU.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 141, 14 April 1892, Page 5

POLICE COURT, ARATAPU.

A linn McClaskie was charged on the information of Constable Scott with having used obscene language at Toka Toka on Sunday, 3rdinst. Prisoner pleaded ‘Not Guilty.’ George Edward Sanders , licensee of the Toka Toka hotel, said that prisoner came to his house as a traveller and he supplied him with drinks, but after the first time he refused to supply him with any more liqnor as he thought he was likely to become abusive. Prisoner then left but came back agaifi about six o’clock in the evening aud asked to see Mr Moloughney, and when told that that gentleman was not in he said he knew b well that be was and eudea'voured to force his way into the dining room. He ordered him away aud threatened to send for Constable Scott. One or two other persons in the house then attempted to put him our and prisoner used some very bad language which was often repeated in the hearing of his wife and daughter. Prisoner was forcibly put out and he then continued to use the same language outside for two hours. I informed Constable Scott. My premises are a licensed accommodation house aud the language was used in a public place. To the prisoner —I only served you with one lot of drinks for which you paid two shillings and I would not serve you with any more. Penis Murphv . of Tokatoka, heard some of the language complained of. John Harris heard one bad expression made use of.

Prisoner made a statement in which he said that he went over to Toka Toka and of course he had a few drinks. In the evening one of his mates went over from the boarding house and got a bottle of whiskey and three of them drank it. He had a game of draughts and his mate went and got another bottle of whiskey and thev drank it and he knew nothing more after that. He had never been before the Court for drunkenness or obscene language before and he hoped the Bench would be lenient with him. Constable Scott said that Mr Sanders had been very much troubled on several occasions but unfortunately the offenders generally made themselves scarce before steps could be taken against them. Mr Sanders was always willing to supply travellers with one refreshment hut did not wish them to hang around. He got a warrant out against the prisoner because he was informed that he intended to clear out by the first steamer. The Bench considered the offence proved and sentenced the prisoner to twenty one days hard labour.

Alexander McKenzie was charged by Constable Scott with disorderly conduct at Toka Toka b\ r riding-his horse on to the hotel verandah and attempting to force his way in when ordered by the landlord to leave. Prisoner pleaded * Not Guilty.’ Geo. E. Sanders deposed that the accused came to the Tokatoka hGA as a traveller, aud was supplied with some iiquers but he refused to supply him with any more afterwards as he seemed likely to be troublesome. About an hour later I hud refused to supply him I saw him on his horse attempting to ride into the passage. The accused had often been to the hotel and was generally well behaved. Denis Murphy heard Mr Sanders order the defendant away, and saw him afterwaids ride liis horse partly on to the verandah. John Haxttis saw defendant at Tokatoka on Sunday : he had had a few liquors, just enough to make him jolly—he was neither drunk nor sober. He saw him try to ride his horse on to the verandah, and lie would have done it only he caught his head against the top boards and was knocked backwards. The horse went on to the veraudah by itself. The accused handed in a written statement and amongst other things urged that the verandah was not a public place. r-r A The accused was fined :20s and costs 235 : or in default seven days 5 imprisonment; The fine was paid.