POLICE COURT NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2926, 16 April 1891, Page 2

POLICE COURT NGARUAWAHIA.

Monday.—(Before Messrs lUthborne and

Fitzpatrick, J.P.'s Skin.ver v. Skinnku.— .Sureties of tho peace. This was a complaint by which Mrs Skinner sought to have her husband John Skinner bound over to keep the peace for using threatening and insulting language to her on the -Ith inst. Mr Hay appeared for complainant and Mr Dyur for th(! defendant. Considerable argument took place as to whether evidence showing provocation for the language used and misconduct on the part of the wife should be admitted, but Mr Hay contended that tho evidence should be strictly confined to the circumstances whon tho alleged olfetico wns committed, and that any evidence of previous provocation was wholly irrelevant. —Mr Dyer replied that the application was to bind the defendant over to keep the peace, and the Bench could not possibly form an opinion without enquiring into the whole of the circumstance". VVuidM might be spoken under intense trial, and it would be unfair to the defendant not to allow him to show what previous provocation he had received. —The Bench decided to hear any evidence showing provocation, but not evidence as to the ralitinns existing between the parties.— The complainant gave evidence as to the words complained »>f, and that she feared the defendant would do her some grievoiit, bodily harm. Her evidence was corroborated by several lodgers in the house. For tho defence, a number of witnesses were called, who stated that they bad on several occasions heard Mrs Skinner abusing and swearing at her husband ; that she was repeatedly drunk; and that she had used personal violence towards him. The Bench considered that no reason had been shown for binding the defendant over, and dismissed the case, each party to pay their own casts.— Another charge, for using insulting language on the 15th March, and praying for sureties of the peace was then taken. The Bench, however, considered a prime facie case had not been made out, and dismissed the complaint on tho .same terms a3 the previous one.—There was a third charge against defendant, but this Mr Hay elecled to withdraw.