PART I PRELIMINARY Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.* [10/89] Interpretation 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “horse” includes mules and asses; “cattle” includes bulls, cows, bullocks and buffaloes; “in or near any public road” includes all places in the public road, and all places within 9 metres of it not being effectually separated from and hidden from the road by a wall or otherwise; “public place” means any place or premises to which at the material time the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission; “public road” includes every road, street, passage, footway or square over which the public has a right of way. [10/89] Verandah public roads 3. The open verandahs of houses abutting on the public roads are public roads for foot-passengers subject to all rights of property of the owners of those houses. Offences how punishable 4. All offences under this Act shall be tried by a Magistrate’s Court or a District Court; and notwithstanding the provisions of any other written law, a Magistrate’s Court or a District Court shall have the power to impose the maximum penalty prescribed for any such offence. [10/89; 12/96]