RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1478, 22 December 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MA GIST R A TES' COURT, CAMBRIDGE.

Monday, December 19fch. — Before Capt. Jackson, R.M., and Mr Thomas Wells, J.P.

Breach of the Peace. John Morbissby and Robert Robertson alias Murdoch were charged on the information of Constable JBrennan for creating a disturbance iv the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, on the 3rd inst. Morrissey pleaded guilty and Robertson not guilty. J. F. Edgar, Frank O'Neill, and Arthur Bach gave evidencs as to the disturbance. The evidence of these witnesses went to show that Morrissey was the aggressor, and that Robertson was simply drawn into the disturbance in self-defence. Their Worships discharged the latter, and Morrissey who put his "misfortune" down to the excitement indispensable to election times, was fined 30s and costs £1 16s, in default one month's imprisonment.

Unregistered Dogs. Police v. French and J. Brown. — Accused were charged with being owners of unregistered dogs in the county of Waikato. Defendants were fined 10s each and costs 15s. Police v. Wm. Reid and Richard Wright. — Accused were charged with a similar offence, they pleaded not guilty. William Reid, jnnr., gave evidence. The " wee curly dawg " he said, for vrhicli they had been prosecuted did not belong to the house, but belonged to a gentleman who had long since taken his departure from the neighbourhood. It was not fed in his house, nor yet did it reside there, either permanently or temporarily. When the yard gate was open however, it was wont to stioll in and have a look round, but was peremptorily dismissed on detection. Constable Brennan gave evidence as to having repeatedly seen the dog in and about Mr Reids premises. In the charge against Mr Wright. Mr J. P. Thompson gare evidence as to having repeatedly seen a large white and blaok dog about defendant's premises and following- him (defendant) to church on several occasions On one occasion he had seen the dog- in Mr Wrights bed room and asked him why he kept such a mongrel about the house, to which defendant replied that he could not think of turning the poor animal out he was such a good natured beast. Constable Brennan had seen the dog constantly in aud about defendants premises and was 'convinced of it being- his property. For the defence Messrs Vigors, Brown and the defendant gave evidence. Mr Vigors said the dog 4 was in the habit of following everybody, and was of a " silly turn of mind." Was certain Mr Wright hadjnever bought the dog for it had followed him (witness) from Ohaupo to Cambridge. Mrßrown testified to the_ fact that Mr Wright had given him instructions to keap the dog out of the place. The dog had never been fed on the premises to his knowledge but picked up a living out of Mr Raynes' pig-trough. Richard Wright the defendant denied all ownership of the animal and did not recognise him as his property. Had often found him loafing about his workshop, but always on making the discovery had the dog ignominiously expelled. Did not recollect having any conversation with Mr Thompson in his bedroom about the animal. His Worship thought there was no doubb that thedogs belonged to accused. Theyhaddone a very foolish thiugin nothaving them properly registered because it cost very much, more when brought into court. Mr Reid was anxious Constable Biennan should prove his (Mr Reids, ownership and title to the house, which the " wee curly dawg" was wont to frequent, and the allotment upon which the house was built. The summons (upon vhioh he had appeared) had been left at his house, instead of v being delivered to him personally, and hedosiied to know whether the action held good or not— His Worship impoasd a fine of 10s on each party, with costs 19s 3d, and ordered defendants to pay registration fees.

Alleged Horse Stealing. Adam Clarke, said to be a native chief was charged on the information of John Gwynneth surveyor with the theft of a horse, his property, from Totara, on or : about Oct. 4th. The horse was valued at £17. Mr Speed proscuted and Mr Brassoy, solicitor, Thames, appeared fer accused. The evidence showed that the horse formerly belonged to a party of ! men among whom were the accused and a man named Cook. Oook brought the horse to Cambridge and sold it for £15 Jo J. Gwynneth but on letuining home did not inform his partners as to his having sold the horse Mr Gwynneth a few days afterwards was surveying on the Omaruapu Block, where he turned the horse loose. It wag afterwards seen in the possession of Clarke at the waterfall near Waohi by a man named Thomas Cook, who informed Gwynneth to that effect, Clarke had been ignorant until informed by Cook at the above place of the horse having been sold, and when told of hi? mistake signified his willingness to take care of the animal and return it to the proper owner. His Worship thought there had been no felonious intent on the part of the accused when he took the horse, no evidence having 1 been produced to fhow that he stole it, knowing ife to have been sold to Mr Gwynneth, and on these grounds discharged the case. After disposing of a debt case of no public interest, the Court rose at 8 p.m., and adjourned until the 14th of January, leaving several important cases to stand over until that date.

ct My wife, " remarked a promiuent manufacturer, •' never attends auctions. She went once, just before we were married, and seeing a friend ou the opposite side, nodded politely, whereupon the auctioneer knocked a patent cradle and asked her where she wanted it delivered." ' Whilst Prince Bismark l was Teqently driving along one of the country roads near Kesaengen, a building' contractor, some didtanoe ahead, stepped to the side of the highway with a telescope to take a view of the surroundings. Be wai suddenly seized by a-,gendaim?, who compelled him to put his glass out 1 of sight utitil Bismarck had, parsed,' for 1 ihfc reason that, in the existing oondftioq of 'political affaira^'the Prince*' might, eaely. mist ike the teleaoope for the barrel of a rifle, and be seriously startled by it.