RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 53, 27 January 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

■ ASHBURTON— Monday, Jan. 20. Before Mr. R. Beetham and Dr. Trevor. ASSAULT. Pearson v. Harris.—This was the case of the assistant bailiff against J. E. Hyde Harris, solicitor, for assaiTt. Mr. Harris raised an objection of informality of the summons on the ground that there was no such person as assistant bailiff. The Bondi made a note of the objection, and the case proceeded. A. M. Pearson deponed that ho was an assistant bailiff of the Court, but had not been sworn in as such. He had a warrant placed in his hands to serve on Mr. Harris. He went to Harris’s house, and on enquiry found that defendant was away from home. Waited at the house until Mr. Harris came homo. Mr. Harris supposed witness wanted some money, and witness replied that ho did. Harris then asked if witness had a warrant, and if so to give it up to him. Refused. Was ordered to leave the house at once by Harris, as lie was an intruder. Declined to leave the premises, and Harris pushed him out of the door. As soon as witness got out of the garden gate Harris offered him a glass of whisky. Mr. Bcetham said that before proceeding any further with the case, he would state that the warrant was bad, as it was served on a date after it was made returnable to the Court from whence it issued. The fact of the complainant not being a sworn peace-officer of the Court was also a decirlcd informality. The case would be dismissed. Mr. Guinness here took his seat on the Bench. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. George Fuller, an inmate of the Home was charged with using abusive language to the master, Mr. Maddison. This was the third time the accused had been charged with insubordination. Evidence having been taken in proof of the offence, the Bench sentenced Fuller to three months’ imprisonment. LUNACY FROM DRINK. John Clifford was brought up charged with being a lunatic from drink. He was sent to Lyttelton for seven days.