RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HAMILT0N. Saturday (Before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., RM.). Egg Throwing.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1266, 10 August 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HAMILTON. Saturday (Before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., RM.). Egg Throwing.

George Wheeleb, a yovng^ man, was charged, on the information of Constable Murray, with having committed a breach of the Vagrant Act, by throwing eggs at the audience at the entertainment given at Le Quesne's Hull, on the 2nd instant, whereby a serious breach of the peace might have been occasioned. Sergeant McGovern conducted the pro secution, and the prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded not guilty. The prisoner was further charged with committing a br-each of the Malicious Injury to Property Act by wilfully spoiling the hat of Mrs Ann Peacock, wife of "William Peacock, and damaging the said hat to the amount of ss, by throwiug an egg which struck the said Ann Peacock on the head. Sergeant McGovern explained the circumstances of the case, and called Charles Lee, who deposed that he was one of the performers at the entertainment given at LeQueane's Hall on the 2nd inst. There was a large audience, and eggs were thrown aboub. One of these fell at his feet while he was at the wiu'jfs. Some members of the audience behaved in a very rude manner. Alice Ann Huckstep, wife of B. Huokstop, deposed that she was at the entertainment. She knew the prisoner, and saw him there in company with a man named Tristram and some others. Pieces of gravel and orange-peel were thrown at the performers. Witness was struck with some orange-peel, and she immediately looked round and saw an egg thrown by . the prisoner, who motioned her not to draw attention to him. The egg struck a gentleman in front, when she charged him, Tristram to her not to say anything about the matterr The next day Tiistnun told her it was not the prisoner, and not to get him into trouble. To the Bench : I tried to point out the prisoner to the Sergeant at tho entertainment, but the crowd was too great to see him Ann Peacock deposed that she was at the entertainment when an egg was thrown at her head. Mrs Hucstep pointed someone out to her as the person who threw it, but she could not recognise him again. She heard Tristram tell her not to say anything about it. By the prisoner : I think you were the roan who threw the egg by your appearance. Henry Tristram, a butcher, employed by Mr Colemau. He knew the prisoner, who, up till that day, was also in the same employment. With the prisoner he went to the entertainment on the 2nd. He saw an egg thrown. He was sitting by the prisoner, and did not know who threw the egg. He did not think prisoner did so, but he would not swear it. Constable Murray deposed that he apprehended the prisoner that morning when he was about to take the train to Auckland. He said "you have got the wrong man." Sergeant McGovern, sworn, said he was at the entertainment. It was very rowdy. An egg was thrown which struck a gentleman on the back. Witness turned round and asked Mrs Huckstep who did it. She pointed out some one, but the crowd was so great that he was unable to see anything. For the defence the prisoner called William Fleming, avlio deposed that he was a butcher employed by Mr Coleman. He was sitting with the prisoner, and did not see him throw anything about, nor did lie see any eggs in his posession. Cross-examined. I was not there the whole time. I could not swear that the prisonet did not throw any eggs unknown to me. The prisoner said he knew nothing about the occurence. His Worship said he must fiutl him guilty, but would defer sentence until the other charge was gone into. The evidence of Mrs Peacock was then taken to show that her hat had been damaged. Mrs Huckstep also gave evidence similar to that given by her in the other case. The prisoner had no witnesses to call. His Worship said he must find the prisoner guilty on this charge also. On the first charge he would inflict a fine of £5 and costs, with the alternative of two months' imprisonment in Mount Eden gaol. It seemed to him that there were few offences more deserving of punishment than that of which the prisoner stood convicted. It might be great fun to him and such larrikins as were of his class to make a disturbance in a public place of amusement, but they ought to have considered that they were interfering with the enjoyment of other people. He was determined to put this kind of thing down, and he hoped the police would unfailingly bring before him everyone who offended in this direction. On the other charge, that of damaging property, the law gave him power to send the prisoner to gaol without the option of a fine, and he had a great mind to use this power. The prisoner would have to pay the value of the hat (15s) and the costs of the case, or go to gaol for one month.

Tub King of Sweden is a poet and yet his subjects don't shoot at him half so often as do the subjects of the prosy Cz.»r. There is no accounting for the freaks of humanity. 4 max" gets Jnto trouble by marrying twq wives. If ho mairies only one he m.'iy have trouble ; and soni 1^ men Ijavp co:: c to trib:<lnfc">n by .simjily proiniMijgto n j>,"iy oao. anyU^Wf