MAGISTERIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1498, 4 March 1887, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON—MONDAY.

(Before Mr J. Ollivier, R.M.)

ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

James Crawford was charged, on remand, with having committed an unnatural offence. Mr Cuthbertson appeared for the prisoner. The evidence of Mr Childs have been taken,' Sergeant Felton informed the Bench that the polico had been unable to trace the whereabouts of another material witness. Would His Worship grant a further remand ? Mr Ollivier did net feel justified m doing so. In his opinion a prima facie case had not been made out, but at the same time he might say that the prisoner's action had been very suspicious. - Prisoner was then discharged, being cautioned not to get intoxicated again. CIVIL OASES. Matheraon v. Soramers. —Claim, £45 17s sd. In this case: an application had been made to have the defendant's evidence taken at Christchurch. An ad- j journment was made to the 18th instant to enable this to be done. Porter v. Sanders.— Claim, £3 Os 6d. Mr Wilding for plaintiff and Mr White for defendant. Mr White asked for a remand, defendant being unable to attend the ' Court. Mr Wilding opposed the application, on the ground that the case had already been adjourned. The claim was for trees supplied and planted at an agreed price. Defendant had offered to Eay £2 m settlement of the claim, After earing tho ovidonce of Messrs Porter, Harris, and Allison, His.- Worship declined to grant an adjournment and gave judgment for the amount olaimed with costs

Drury v. Cronin —Claim, £11 ss. Mr Wilding for plaintiff. Mr White, for defendant's solicitor, Mr Holmes, applied for an adjournment to Friday next. His Worship said if Mr Wilding did not object an adjournment would be granted on the usual terms. Mr Wilding pointed out that the costs of witnesses, &c, would equal m amount the claim itself. Defendant theroupon decided to instruct Mr White, although he complained that he had already paid Mr Holmes for his services. The case was put last on the list.

Holmes v. Foster. — Claim, £65, for breach of agreement. Mr Wilding appeared for tho plaintiff, and Mr Cuthbertson for the defendant. Mr Wilding led evidence to show that defendant had invited tenders by advertisement for bar. vesting at Scottesden ; that plaintiff saw the defendant at the farm, and agreed to do the work at the rate of 7s per acre, the etooking not being included ; that defendant accepted that offer, and subsequently announced hia acceptance thereof by advertiaement m one of the Ashburton: papers. Seven days' notice was to have been given to the plaintiff when he would be required to start, but no such notioo was given, dnd defendant had engaged other machines to do the work. The crop was, with the exception of a strip of about 44 acreß m, witness's opinion, unfit to cut. Owing to defendant's action m engaging other machines, witness had lost other crops and been kept idle. He could have earned about £6 a day at the time.

Michael Healey, T, Dynes, P. Fitegerald, T. Lancfley gave further evidence as to the state of the crop and plaintiff's reliability as a contractor for harvesting. (Left sitting )