RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 934, 18 June 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.

—o — Hamilton, 14th June, 1878. (Before Dr. Waddington, J.P.) Philip Brady, an old offender, ttus charged by the police with being an idle person, and having no lawful or visible means of support. 'J he prisoner pleaded not guilty. Sergeant McGovem said the prisoner was only discharged from the lock-up on Wednesday morning, after putting in 4$ hours. He was becoming a nuisance not only to the police, but to the public. Constable Murray was examined, and his evidence went to show that several complaints Avere made lately about the prisoner, and that he (the Constable) had done his best to endeavour, for the last . few days, to get the prisoner to go away from Hamilton, and seek work, but all to no effect. His "Worship said it was quite clear the prisoner was a nuisance. He would sentence him to three months imprisonment, in Mount Eden Goal, without hard labour. Saturday, June loth. (Before I. B. Vialou, Esq., J.P., Mayor.) WILLFUL AND MALICIOUS INJURY TO TIIOPEBTY. Thomas Keep, a youth, pleaded guilty to the above offence, and said he did not think he was doing wrong by taking the ferry boat. riergeant McGovem said on Thursday

hist, about 6 p.m., tho accused was going from Hamilton West to Hamiltan East. The punt happened to he on the East side at the time, and the prisoner cooly jumped into the ferry boat. Although the Puntman .called out to him not to take the' boat, 'still he persevered, and tho •onsequence was tho prisoner broke one of the oars. Numerous complaints had been made lately over the same matter, men seizing the ferry boat, and taking it away, which causes great inconvenience not only to the Puntman but tho public. The Sergeant hoped this case would get publicity for the pm-pose of showing that noperson has a right to interfere with the boat unless by permission of the person in charge of it. At the eame time the police did not wish to press for a weighty penalty in this case, as tho accused was a young man, and bore a

good character. His Worship said it was high time a stop was put. to persons taking the foriy boat. However, as the polioo did not wish to press this case, he would merely inflict a nominal penalty, but should a similar case come before the Court, tho highest punishment would be inflicted. Fined Is and costs, also to pay for the damage done.