>From Western Post, 31 July 1861: POLICE COURT Tuesday, July 30th Before the Police Magistrate, his Worship the Mayor, and E MARLAY , Esq., J.P. Jane COUGHLAN, charged with being drunk and using obscene language in Perry-street, pleaded guilty. In consideration of her having been locked up for 48 hours the Bench discharged her. Samuel RUTHERFORD was summoned for an assault. Mr CLARK appeared for complainant, Mr BRODRIBB for defendant. Peter ANDERSON said he attended the Green Swamp races on the 22nd instant, when he met the defendant in a booth who, as soon as he saw him, called him a ____ foreigner. He thought it best not to take any notice of him, and so walked away; he had occasion to return, and was standing at the bar when defendant repeated the language, saying it is you _____ that I mean, and with his hand struck him a blow to the ear; not wishing to have a row he again left the house; was afterwards rushed upon by defendant; did not provoke him in any way, or strike him. Cross-examined by Mr BRODRIBB: Did not hear of a bet being made for £5 that he (complainant) would dance Johnny ENRIGHT; was quite sober; did not strike defendant not give him a blow which caused the black eye he then had. Had taken up a piece of rotten stick or bark for the purpose of defending himself; part of it fe! ll to pieces when he lifted it up. James NELLTHORPE, digger on Frome Creek, knew both parties before the Court; saw them at the races; there was a deal of rowing go on. Was standing at the bar when defendant gave complainant a slap on the ear; ANDERSON went out afterwards. RUTHERFORD made a rush at him; did not think the blow could have hurt him. Saw complainant with a piece of rotten apple tree stick in his hand; did not think much of the row, and was surprised it was brought into Court. Mr BRODRIBB having addressed the Court on the trivial nature of the assault, the Bench inflicted a fine of 10s and costs. A second charge against RUTHERFORD, for breach of the peace was then gone into. Peter ANDERSON having been sworn, said he was afraid of the prisoner, and considered that his life was in danger. He did not bear him any ill will or malice; they never met without defendant calling him names and using threatening language towards him. The Bench bound defendant for six months to keep the peace - himself £10, and two sureties £5 each. Thomas KNOWLES for illegally impounding a bullock. Mr BRODRIBB for complainant, and Mr CLARKE for defendant. Henry DEARDS, of the Allen River, said he arrived in Mudgee with a bullock tem on Saturday night. One of the bullocks branded with three JS's was taken away from the team by defendant. The bullock was his; he had exchanged it for a brown one with a man of the name of James TOWNS; had never lost it since; had had it constantly in his possession for the last five years. SMITH, a neighbour, broke it for him; could swear to it irrespective of its brands. Had about twelve months since cut off part of its hors in consequence of their growing into the face. James TOWNS, farmer, was neighbour to previous witness. The bullock in question had never before been in this district; had been accustomed to see it in complainant's team for the past twelve years. Did not think it was branded TK on shoulder; it had an indistinct brand, which looked like No. 7. Mr CLARKE for th! e defence, Thomas KNOWLES, who said he had seen the bullock outside the Court and claimed it as his property. He bought it of a person of the name of BROOKS, who gave a receipt (which he produced). It was unbroken at the time and very wild. He branded him TK on shoulder and broke him in; he afterwards had to cut his horns. He had not the slightest doubt about it being the one he bought of BROOKS. John Joshua BROOKS, lime burner of Mount Frome, said the bullock looked very much like the one he changed with KNOWLES; he could not swear to it. Mr CLARKE called several other witnesses who said the bullock looked very much like the one KNOWLES had lost. The bullock having been examined, it was found difficult to distinguish the brand on the shoulder; the T was distinct, but no K was to be seen. The Bench ordered the bullock to be given up to DEARDS. ***END*** N.B. All care has been taken to transcribe the above accurately, however errors may have been inadvertently made. Spelling of names/places should be as appears in original. Transcribed from microfilm available from the State Library. Annette Piper Coolah NSW