Abusive Language. —Thomas Dare was charged with using abusive and insulting language towards one George 11. Burnett, at Shorthand, on the lGlh instant.—Mr Tyler appeared for the complainant, and Mr Dodd for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.—Mr Tyler stated that the case arose out of one of a recent date, in which the present complainant was charged with maliciously killing a goat. That case was dismissed, and since then defendant had made use of abusive and threatening language towards complainant, and also his wife, besides which lie had made use of threats to burn Burnett’s place, and had knocked down his fence. lie called George lledpath Burnett, who deposed that lie knew defendant, who had recently charged him witii maliciously killing a goat, which charge had been dismissed On Saturday last, the lGth, between five and six o’clock, witness passed de fendant’s place, and called out, “ Do you want that £5 ?” (Witness had summoned defendant for £5 damages.) Witness, on going into his yard, saw defendant pulling down the fence, and on remonstrating with him, defendant called witness frightful names, and challenged him to light. Witness never gave pre vocation, nor spoke to him, except to ask that ho would leave the fence alone. He did not bring this charge out of malice

•--Mr Dodd cross-examined the witness.— William John Iloldit, a miner, residing in the llapc Creek, corroborated the evidence of complainant as to the language used in the street and the back yard.—For the defence Mr Dodd called Thomas Dare, the defendant, who deposed that on Saturday last complainant called him “ a old scoundrel,” and said lie would “ make it hot ” for him if he didn’t leave the fence alone. Witness was picking up some palings which had fallen off the fence, and did not use any abusive language until after complainant had called him names.—Henry Hall, living on Ilape Creek, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness, and said he had heard wrangling, and on opening his door tlio first bad language lie heard was made use of by Burnett. Defendant was bound over to keep the peace for three months —himself in £2O and two sureties of £lO each, and to pay costs. The R.M. ob served that goats seemed to be as prolific a source of quarrel between neighbours as drink.
