The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1867-08-27 00:00:00

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.

SATURDAY.- Before H. Williams, Esq. (chairman),
Lieutenant-Colonel Steward, E. Pearce, Esq., Captain
Williams, and 0. Warry, Esq.
BRATnto A HORRR WITH • PICKAXE—James Cross,
a youth, of Troytown, was summoned for cruelty to •
horse. P.C. Sudden said that on August 20, at
Troytown, he saw the defendant strike • horse belonging
to Mr. Minoan with a pickaxe in a field near the road.
He struck it on the side, wielding the axe with both
bands. It did not wound the horse.—Defendant said
he did not use both hands, sod he did not hurt the
horse. He only hit it to make it go forward, because
the other hone was • kicker. Mr Duman neither let
him have a stick nor whip —Mr. Dunman said he saw
the marks of the pick which had chalk on it on the
ribs of the horse. He had had frequently to complain
of defendant's ill-treating his horses, and had told hini
if he found him doing it again he should have him before
the magistrates. Defendant was a yearly sernuit —The
Chairman said there could not be a doubt about the
question, and the defendant had no right to strike a
horse with a pick ; if he did it again he would be '
punished more severely, Fined its, and is. costa -
i)etendant said there was only the marks of the
dust from the pick on the hone. He paid the
money.
ArtBACLT AT PIDDLITOWN.—John Webber, of Piddle.
town, was summoned forassaulting Levi Joseph Wool':
mington, at Pidilletown. Complainant stated that on
the 13th August, at Piddletown, he was going home from
work about eight o'clock, and he said to two men who
were harvesting for hismaster unlock the tent doer and
go to bed, and the men answered him very civil. John
Webber was there, and he said "I'll unlock your— I
head." He got over the stile, and wished them "good. I
night." John Webber followed him, and knocked him '
down, got upon his body, took him by the neckerchief
and beat his head upon the hard road, and swore he
would beat his brains out. Cross-examined by Mr.
Western for defendant : He worked for Mr Paull Had
been turnip-hoeing that day and was carrying the hoe, a
basket, and a bottle. Webber had nothing in his hand
when he knocked complainant down. He denied various
conversations and acts about which Mr. Weston
questioned him. Denied striking defendant. On the
24th March he saw John Webber, and another man
come out of Mr. Paul's cellar with a bucket of "liquid.",
he could not say whether it was ale or cider. and he
told Mr. Miller Ever since then he had been called "the
24th." Mr. Miller believed him, still he might
have instructed Mr. Weston to appear for defendant.
George Woolmington, son of the complainant, said
when his father spoke to the harvest men, who were
civil, defendant began to curse awl swear at • furious
rate. When 'they were over the stile his father asked
Webber what he meant by it, and he replied " I mean
to punch your heal," whereupon he knocked him
down, saying he would knock his brains out, he
did not core for any.— policeman, and would go into
the obi again." .Cross-examined : His father said to
defendant "Why do you ill-use me in this way r This
was before defendant had struck his father stall, but he
was cursing and abusing him without any "education."
ro.r. - • - Li... •II elw time? Jam,.
Attwool was present, and he gave a version of the affair
similar to that of complainant and his son. Defendant
" mired furiously," and then beat complainant as
before described. Afterwards defendant came to com•
plainant's house. and said "he would do something for
Woolmington before he went to bed." Mr. Weston Reid
he was instructed by defendant's master, who gave
h•ni • good character as an honest, sober, steady man.
His version of the assault was that it was begun without
any provocation by the complainant, who knocked him
down with • knobbed stick, the marks of which he still
bore. He called a man named James Derrick, who
said he was a thatcher, and on the morning in
question was near the scene of the present dispute.
Defendant and an old harvest man (who was the worse I
for drink) were at the barn door, when Woolmington I
and his son came up. Woolmington said "then you're
unlocking the shop. Dickie," and he replied " Yes,
we're going to have three sticks • penny at old Aunt
Sally." Old Woolmington then said "You have been
going on to my son all day," threw down his basket, and
ran towards defendant with • stick in a threatening
attitude. They then mauled one -another about. He
saw no blow struck. Woolmington's son went to
strike defendant with • flagon stick, when he prevented
him.—The Bench considered the assault proved, and
fined the defendant 10a, including costs.
HARVINT•RB BRITSING TO FULFIL TORTIA CONTRACT.
Webbey, George Landon, and Ishmael Fry,
of Charrninster, were summoned by Mr. Isaac Symes,
of Bradford Peverell, for not fulfilling a contract in
husbandry. Mr. Symonds for complainant, who stated
the facts of the cue, and said it was necessary some-
thing should be done to make men fulfill these
contracts, or the business of the farmers could not
be carried on. Mr. Symes, farmer, sail he hired them
a length of time ago to work on the farm. They were
to hoe turnips, cut oorn, get in the harvest, and stay
as long as he had anything for them to do. They
worked for some time, and other men with
them. The defendants left his service on the
3rd Angina the Saturday before Dorchester
fair. He found them gone on 'Tuesday, and they had
not been back to their work since. He had been obliged
to get others to do the work they should have done.
Defendants were to have so much per acre for turnips,
so much for cutting the corn, and 3s. 4d. per day during
the time they were employed harvesting. Cross-
examined : Webber came to the farm on the Monday
before Dorchester fair, and he ordered him out of his
stable, because he was beastly drunk. When defendants
first came the turnips were not ready, and he put them
on some niangels till then. Ile said he would
give them 2s. an acre for cutting the tarn, and they.
.61 Fry, refused it, but complainant said they agreed
to it —By the Bench: If he had had no turnips to hoe
or corn to cut he should have employed them about
other things, and raid them 3s. 41 • day.—Webber
said Mr. symes ordered him off the premises and told
him never to come there again.—The Chairman said it
was to be regretted that these contracts were not put
into writing as it would save many disputes.- Langrlbn
said they had 2s. 6d. • day and a quart of cider while
they were at the mangeL They were at tut-work the
month they were there. The oorn was not fit —Mr.
Sprites said then:, had not finished the turnips.—Fry
said they we r. I,s,—The Chairman said that with not
a question The Bench had no doubt the
defendants hired themselves for • period, and had
refused to complete it. They must go to gaol for 14
days' hard labour each.