Ill-Treating a Pit Pony

Ernest Howlett was charged with a breach of colliery rules at Denaby Main on March 20th, the breach consisting of ill-treatment of a pony. Mr. Hickmott prosecuted, and defendant pleaded guilty.

Charles Shore, employed at Denaby Main, said the defendant was driving a pony with four corves on the empty road. The pony got on the loaded road and the defendant ran at it and kicked it twice in the belly. Witness called out to him to desist, and the defendant replied that he would kill the ——.

John Guess, a horse-keeper, said the result of the kicking was that a lump as big as a walnut was raised on the pony.

Ald. Neill: Had the boy clogs on?

Mr. Hickmott: That we don’t know, sir.

Ald. Neill: Because I don’t see how a little lad like he is could raise a lump on a pony unless he had.

Mr. Hickmott: Then if he had it is all the worse for him. A clog isn’t the thing to punish a pony with.

Ald. Neill: But you know it is very easy to lose your temper with a horse. Only the other day I saw a gentleman on horseback outside the M.S.L. station, and because the horse took fright at a train passing by he flogged the horse most unmercifully. I should think he punished it four times as much as this boy did this pony.

Mr. Hickmott: Then if you saw that your worship it was your duty to take the man’s name and address and prosecute him. (Laughter.)

Ald. Neill: I suppose you would have done?

Mr. Hickmott: In your position I think I should most certainly have taken some proceedings, having regard to your position as a magistrate. (Laughter.)

Ultimately the defendant was fined 10s. including costs.