| Three cases were heard at the Police-court, Bathurst, on Wednesday,
wherein the defendants were charged with riotous behaviour in Howick-street on Sunday evening, the 19th
instant. The hearing of the cases, as reported in the Bathurst Times, are as follows:— Constable
Contes v. John Minehan and Jacob Innes. —Mr. Hellyer appeared for the prosecution. The charge
against both defendants was that of riotous behaviour in Howick-street on Sunday night, the 19th instant.
John Riley stated that he was in Howick-street on Sunday night, about 9 o'clock, and saw defendant
Minehan there, and though he did not see him throw any stones, he saw him stoop and pick something ;
neither did he see any Chinamen there ; there were about 150 people there. As there were several other
cases in connection with the disturbance the Police Magistrate postponed his decision until the other
summons charges were gone through.
Uck Fra Puck v. James Moran, Patrick Griffiths, and James Ahearn. —Mr. McIntosh appeared for
Griffiths. The complainant, a feeble old man, gave his evidence, through an interpreter to the following
effect:— He lived in Howick-street ; on Sunday night there was a disturbance in the street ; he was
knocked down and a box of oranges which he was carrying home was taken from him, and the fruit
scattered ; saw one of the defendants there, but could not identify the others ; a rush was made into
his house after he got inside, and one of the defendants, Griffiths, was among those who forced their
way into his house ; he said he wanted his hat, and took a light round the house as if to look for the hat
; when defendant went out of the house, he picked up a stone and threw it at the window, and broke it ;
he (witness) was standing at his door, and the defendant was on the footpath ; there were sixteen panes
of glass broken, and one of the sashes ; was sure of the man, and gave no cause for the assault. By Mr.
M'Intosh: Griffiths, and about ten or twenty others with him, rushed into his (witness's) house. Ja Ki, a
Chinaman, said he saw defendant Moran throw stones and break the windows ; but did not know
anything of defendant Griffiths. Ah Hing saw defendant Ahearn with the crowd on Sunday night ;
saw the old man abused, and some of the oranges being taken away by the boys.
For the defence,
Ahearn called Randolph Earle, who stated that he was with defendant Ahearn from a quarter to 7
o'clock till half-past 8 ; did not see him throw any stones, and was sure that, during the whole time
he and Ahearn were together, Ahearn did not upset the old man with the fruit. Robert Brown, another
witness for the defence, on the part of Ahearn, said he was certain that Ahearn had no part in the
disturbance up to half-past 8 o'clock, for he (witness) was with him up to that time. Bartholomew
White saw Ahearn alone in Howick- street, on Sunday night, about 9 o'clock, near the Chinaman's
houses, but did not see him (Ahearn) throw any stones. John Hill gave similar testimony, James
Wilkinson was with defendant Griffiths at church on Sunday evening; and, about 9 o'clock in the
evening, saw Mr. Hill and defendant Griffiths together, walking quietly along the street. The Police
Magistrate dismissed Griffiths ; and proceeded to give his decision in all the other cases. Each
defendant was fined 40s. with Court costs. |
