RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HAMILTON Yesterday.—[Before H. W. Northcroft Esq., R.M.] Disorderly Conduct.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1299, 26 October 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HAMILTON Yesterday.— [Before H. W. Northcroft Esq., R.M.] Disorderly Conduct.

John Cunningham -was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday, the 23rd, &iid with committing a breach of the Vagrant Act by behaviour in the bar of the Waikato Hotel whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. He was further Charged under the Malicious Injuries to Property Act? with wilfully and maliciously breaking two tumblers in the same Hotel. — Sergeant McGovern prosecuted, and called S. W. Buck, proprietor of the Waikato Hotel, who deposed that the prisoner came into the bar on Saturday night, conducting himself like a madman, rushing about like a madman, and muttering to himself. He broke a couple of tumblers, and assaulted a man named O'Neill who attempted to stop him from breaking the glasses. The prisoner was a very quiet and inoffensive man ordinarily. — William O'Neill corroborated the evidence of the first witness. — Constable Murray said he was near the Waikato Hotel on Saturday evening between 7 and 8 o'clock, when he heard a noise inside. He went inside and saw the prisoner break the tumblers and scuffle witfi O'Neill. He had been convicted on a similar charge in October last. He seemed to have a mania for breaking glasses when in the state the witness found him in on Saturday night. —In answer to the Magistrate, the prisoner said he had nothing to urge in his defence. He did not remember anything of the occurrence whatever. — The Magistrate said the evidence of the police showed that the prisoner was anything but a nice character. On the first charge he would fine him los and -costs, or 48 hours' imprisonment ; on the second, £o and costs, or two months' imprisonment ; and on the third charge, he would send the prisoner to Mount Eden Gaol for two months, the sentences, in the event of the fines not being paid, to run consecutively.