R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2924, 14 June 1888, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON, THURSDAY,

Before Mr Von Stunner, R,M,

James McKee was charged with furious riding on the morning of Sunday, June lOtli. Mr Beard appeared for accused.

Constable Cooper, sworn, said lie was in Queen-street, on the night of the 10th iust. He saw accused between 12 and 1 o'clock with two other persons. They were galloping through the street from the Post Office corner to ToohilPs hotel. They rode furiously back, one of tho parties nar. nowly missed the corner shop. To all intents and purposes they wore racing.

In reply to Mr Beard witness said he first saw accused on his return with tho others. He was not the same man who ran against the lamp post. He did not see accused to recognise him until lie returned, All three were riding fast, Witness was under the impression accused was one of the three who galloped past to the other end of the town.

In answer to Sergeant Price; The nightwatchman was present; no one else was riding in tho street at tho timo. Edward Braggins deposed that he was night watchman at the time in question lie wits on duty near tho Church gates. He saw three men on horseback and heard one of them shout "off!" He afterwards recognised accused. It was a dark night and the lamps were out. By Mr Bear!; It was too dark without the aid of his lantern to recognise the men. He would swear that accused was one of the three men. Accused pulled up opposite the Church gate, and nearly fell off his horse in doing so. He shouted steady to the accused and got a very blackguardly answer. It was not his duty to interfere, but only to call the attention of the police to such cases. Re-examined by Sergeant PriceAccused came to him this morning at 2 o'clock and asked him what he knew about Saturday night, and said ho did not know why he should be picked out of the three men. Cross-examined by Mr Beard : He told accused this morning that he did not know he was one of the three. He knew him no,v as one of the three. He was positive in his own mind that accused was the man, but would not swear it.

Mr Beard: I don't want to ask witness another question. He has sworn that accused was the man, and now he savs he will not swear to him,

Witness to Sergeant Price: I am positive he is the man.

For the defence the defendant James McKee was examined on oatli and stated that he was in town on horseback, having some business to do. He met a friend on horseback and tliey came steadily along from the Star Hotel, and another man on horseback passed them and nearly run into the lamp post at Wicker,sons comer. He saw Constable Cooper at the Club Hotel, and wished liiin good night He went 011 with his friend over the Waipoua Bridge, Cross-examined by Sergt. Price,— liis friend's name was Macallister, He did not turn back from fclie Post Office. Tliey only turned the horses' heads to see what was going on. He was not drunk at the time. Had probably had 4or 5 drinks, Macallister rode out to the Taueru with him, and they came into Masterton on the following afternoon, The night watchman did not turn his light on to him.

John Macallister corroborated the evidence of the last witness.

His Worship said the evidence of the prosecution wis of snob a contradictory nature that lie should give accused the benefit of the doubt that lie had in his mind.

Win. Riddle was brought up on remand 011 the charge of being in possession of an illicit still. The case was further remanded to 22nd June, in order to sccuro the attendance of an important witness. Bail was allowed, himself in .£l5O and two sureties of ,£75 each. Mr Beard appeared for the prosecution and Mr Pownall for the defence.