POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. Yesterday —(Before H. N. Northcroft, Esq., R.M.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1190, 12 February 1880, Page 2

POLICE COURT, HAMILTON. Yesterday — (Before H. N. Northcroft, Esq., R.M.)

Dbunkennbss. — James Murphy and Edward Burnes were charged with the above oftencp. Both were found at half past nine o'clock on Tuesday night lying drunk in the road, and never having been charged before, were fined 5s and costs each.

Vagrancy. — "R-angi Kaumoria, was charged under the Vagrant Act by Constable ■ lark, with fighting in a public place. Mr Graham acted as interpreter. ' he Sergeant Baid he was one of the natives who behaved so badly at the Whatawhata Races last month, tie was then summoned for that offence, but evaded the summons. Prisoner said he did not know there was any law against fighting at races. The Bench thought he should learn otherwise, told prisoner he might be sure of this, that if the law did not get him when the offence was committed it would do so sooner or later. He should fine him £3 and costs 245, 0r six months in Mount Eden Gaol — Ma^arene, charsred with a similar offence at Whatawhata races on the same day, did not appear, and a warrant was ordered to be issued for his apprehension.

Breach of Bobouh By-laws. — Alfred Maunders was charged with having committed a breach of the Hamilton Borough i by-laws, by leaving his cart and horse unattended. Defendant pleaded gnilty. Fined 10s, and costs 14s. Peter Coleman, jun., was charged wihth a like offence, and pleaded guilty. Fined 10s, and coata 7s.

Fukious Biding.— Edward Rice was charged with having on the Ist instant furiousl y ridden a horse in Grey -street. Defendant pleaded guilty Fine £1 10 sand costs. — Hugh Rea, charged with the same offence, pleaded not guilty. Constable Murray deposed that on Sunday evening, about 6 o'clock, he saw two men coming along the street at a furious pace. Rise acknowledged he had been gallop - iug, and that he had been challenged to race by Rea. Defendant said he was prepared to swear he was only cantering. Alice Steadman, deposed to seeing Mr i ea riding in Hamilton East. He was galloping hard. The person standing besida him in Court was riding with him. It seemed to be a hurae race. Rea was riding a head of the other defendant. To defendant: I know the difference between a gallop and a canter. To the Courb : There were children on one side the road. J defendant said he was neither whipping, spurring, or urging ; his horse was only cantering and keeping easily a head of Rice, lhe defeudant Kea, was then sworn, and said, l was going with my friend up towards Captain Steel's, and 1 cautioned him not to ride fast lest Murray should see him. He did the same coming back, and I told him unless he do-dbted urging his hor^e I would not go down the road with him. Constable iVJurray explained that the ofipnce was committed iromg up not coming down the road. The ench said this was a dfferent case to th Q last, when defendant pleaded guilty. In thi-> case defendant had tried to wriggle out of the charge. Fined £2, and costs. — Montague Marks wis charged with the same offence, on the 4th instant, ii. the .same place, only at night, Sargemt M? Joveni said there was somo reason for excuse in this case, there was a female riding with defendant, and fehe could uol manage he. 1 horse, and def ndant miv have vished to keep up with her. The .said there was no excuse for furious ridinar, which was a worse offence after dark than by day lignt. Fined 3(K. van. cost.— Stephen Min'tellow pleaded guilty to the same offence in Grey -street, on the Sth instant, and stated in defence that the horse shied at a piece of paper in the load. Sergeant McGovern said that this was a case of racing, but, as yet, the police had not been able to arrest the other party. This was not the fust case in which defandant had so offonded: The other man had cleared out for Cambridge, but, doubtless, the police would find him before next court day. Fined 30s, and costs.