R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3735, 13 February 1891, Page 3

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTO^— FRIDAY '

-mt . BOBOUGH BY-. TjAW3, _ . . T. P. Lett was driving four loose horses in street, on the 10th inst. Case dismissed owing to informality of chainsASSAULT. Thos. McCartney was charged with assaulting P. .Hastie, boardingl>ouse keeper. Mr Beard appeared for «c - cosed, Mr Pownall for complainant^ Mr Pownall said that accused haii ran up a little bill at Hastie's boarding house and then left. Complainant shortly after met accused in Mr T, Thompson's hotel, and in a quiet ' manner asked for a settlement of his account. Accused replied that he had paid Miss Saunders, who was at that time in the employ ot Hastie. A little while afterwards accused, without any provocation whatever, struck complainant in the eye, with the usual consequences—a black eye. Mr Pownall said that as it was a common thing for people to stay at boardinghouses and skip without paying their fees he should ask for a severe penalty. P. Hastie gave evidence of meeting accused and requesting a settlement of account. Accused said he had paid the housekeeper. Told him he had not done so, and that there were ways and means of making him pay. Afterwards met the man at Mr Syverston's shop. Was just coming out of the shop when accused pushed him against the door and making some remark about what lie meant by asking for money in a public place, struck witness in the left eye. Thereupon told him h should for the assault and sue money due. To Mr Beard: Proceeded only for the assault. Accused told him that he had not the money, The housekeeper was authorised to receive monies, but subsequently to meeting accused in Thompson's hotel accused had never stated that he had paid the housekeeper. Had never asked acoused for money in Syverston's after the assault. All he .had the time was " you had better not," meaning that accused lad better not strike him. He would swear he had never applied the term of a liar or anything objectionable to the "accused. Syverston came into the shop immediately after the assault. Sven Syverston gave evidence corroborating that of the last witness* _ Mr Beard contended that there % T?as a discrepancy in the evidence for tUe informant. He would show that Hastie was the aggressor. Defendant, on oath, deposed that Hastie came to him in Thompson's hotel and said *' When are you going me that amount you owe me '?" He replied that he did not owe any money, when Hastie threatened to sue him. He afterwards went in to McColl's boarding house, and was followed by Hastie. Asked Hastie in Thompson's hotel if he had seen his housekeeper, to whom the money was paid. Subsequently went over to Syverston's and asked Hastie if he had seen bis housekeeper. He replied, " I did, and you owe it." Witness then said, "I do not!" and he replied, . " You're a Jiar." Hastie then

caught hold of him by the coat and said, '• I'll take it out of your hide." Witness smacked him in the eye with his open hand, whereupon Hastie released his hold and said he would sue him for the assault. Syverston came in while they were scuffling. By Mr Pownall: Ha was not in the habit of skipping from boarding houses without paying for his board. He had paid Mrs McCoII eight or ten shillings for his board during the month of February. The case was dismissed by the Bench. Breaces of babbit act. W. B, Buick was charged by Inspector Smith with a breach of the Rabbit Act in failing to destroy the rabbits on his property. Mr Pownall, who appeared for the defendant, maintained that the information was bad, as the date was not affixed. The Court : That is so. Mr Pownall : I decline therefore to plead. The Court: The case is dismissed. Donald J. Cameron, for failing to destroy the rabbits on his property at Strawnstead, was lined Ll and 7s costs.