Magistrate's Court. (Before Messrs Milsom, Petit, and Nicol, J.P.'s) Thursday, Dec, 8th.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 29, 10 December 1898, Page 2

Magistrate's Court. (Before Messrs Milsom, Petit, and Nicol, J.P.s) Thursday, Dec, Bth.

ASSAULT. P. Flaherty wa<? charged -with having assaulted William Blake on December 3rd, at Waimate. ' Defendant pleaded guilty* Win. Blake, sworn, said that on Saturday night last he was walking up Queen street with a boy named Wild. They met Flaherty, and witness said " Good night, Paddy." Defendant then struck witness, knocking him down. They had a few words, and defendant then struck him again. Alfred Wild corroborated this evidence. Defendant deposed that on Saturday night he met Wilds, who asked for a match. Walked up the street with Wild. Near the tinsmith's they met Blake, who addressed witness by some nickname. Defendant poked him with his thumb. Blake took it in earnest, got angry, and called defendant names. Then struck plaintiff. Was on the best of terms with Blake. Had had no quarrel with him before. Defendant was fined 10s, with costs 11s 6d. ALLOWING CATTLE TO GEAZE! Otf ROAD. Alex. Hastie was charged, ou the mfoiv xnation of Donald Grant Watt, ranger of Pareora district, with having permitted 10 head of- cattle to, graze on the road. Mr Hamilton for informant} Mr Clement for defendant. Donald Grant Watt said he was ranger of the Waimate County Council in the Pareora district. On the 22nd of Nov. saw cattle of Mr Hasties on the road. (A tracing of the road waa produced and the position of the cattle shown on it.) They were grazing towards St. Andrews, The young woman in charge drove them across the railway line; arid sa,t knitting for 15 minutes? ' Was about a chain and a half away. L While the young Woman Was $j[png down the cattle strayed away and Vent thrdugE a_ gateway. She turned ,them out at once and resumed her knitting -f6^'ab > ,dtii-'2O "minutes. A 'few minutes after J^man .came 'along on horseback and sM stgrtedtp drive' the stock till he went intp%is* "Mdustf, jvhen. she stopped them. :/Went' to her, a dist^efo^jpOOy'ds. an"d ! Informed her who he r was under ihe" impression there

was no offence if she wag watching th& cattle. Told her she had been lhr. 36 mm. travelling 48 chains. _ Took the time) with $ watch. She admitted sitting down. Was a mild from the cattle i when he saw them first. "Was told thdy were lihera before. Mi? TJleinent submitted there) Was no charge for Mr Hastie to answer. A mail could not be Summoned for" an oftencS committed by a servant or agent. The proper person to be suirimttoe'd was the young woman. M* Hamilton said it would Be 1 absurd fed allow anyone ttvo v escape on this plea. He submitted r that Hastie wa"s responsible. Sarah Hastie, sworn, said on the 22nd Nov. she was driving cattle towards thd beach according to her father's instructions. She was ndt to alldW tliem to stop 1 but keep them moving. She left home at 8.55 after feeding the Cattle with 1 green barley. Only stopped at the water -race. Didn't see Watt till he overtook her near the, beach. Told her she had beeu lhr. and 20 minutes bringing the cows along the road. He said he wouldn't have cared but for the way Mi' Hjtstie had spoken on Sunday. Arrived at beach aboiit 10 past 10, as the train carrie along. &he did not sit down; She was knitting while walking along the road; To Mr Hamilton : It was about l|miles front the house to where Mr Watt «poke to her. i Alexr* Hastie, sworn, said he recollected 22nd. Sent his daughter to take cattle to spare land along the beach, driving them along the road. On Monday morning told her that the danger had said he had a note from a Resident drawing attention to his cattle. Told her to keep them Moving, but not to drive them too hard. They were always 1 fed night and rriorningi Tin's was all the evidence and after both counsel had addressed the Court The bench decided that there was a case. This herding of cattle on the road was a great nuisance, and must be stopped. Many people 'thought ttrey could keep cattle on the road if someone" was in charge of them, but this was not so. Defendant would be fined 2s pef head (JCI) with costs 17s 7d, and £l Id solicitor's fee. Another information was withdrawn.