ONEHUNGA.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 190, 18 August 1870, Page 2

ONEHUNGA.

At the Resident Magistrate's' Court on Wednesday, before Captain Symonds, R.M., and Major Gordon, J.P., the following cases were heard; —

Drunkenness. — Joanna Smith, charged with this offence, was fined in the usual amount.

Citron v. Hutchison. —Claim, 18s., balance of account. Plaintiff was a travelling hawker. Defendant's wife bought a watch and chain, and paid a part of the purchase-money, leaving the balance now claimed.—Defendant said he knew nothing of the transaction till he received a summons, and never sanctioned the purchase of the watch by his Svife. —The Court gave judgment for defendant on the ground that a watch was not a necessary article.

Bradley and another v. Cleave. — Claim £1, for freight and passage money from Mauku. —Plaintiffs proved bringing tho defendant, with his family and furniture, in the boat from the Mauku, for which they charged £1. —Defendant objected to pay, on the ground that all his goods were not brought down.—Judgment for plaintiffs.

Stewart v. Parker.—This was a summons after judgment.—Defendant did not appear, and a warrant for his apprehension was issued.

Wallace v. Scott. —Claim £15, for damages to a flax machine. —Mr. Wilson appeared for defendant.—John Wallace, of Flat Bush, deposed : Defendant was employed by me as a mechanic and engineer, and to have general charge of the flax machinery. On the 30th June he ruined two ilax machines. It would require £15 to repair the damage ; it was done during my absence. I was obliged to discharge all the hands. Defendant did not tell me the machine wanted repair ; but I warned him he was not careful enough.—J. Mclntyre deposed : He was an engineer, and made the flax-machines for plaintiff. The drum damaged, which was produced in Court, could not have been injured to such an extent by fair usa^e ; a new drum must be cast which would cost £6. A piece of iron, produced, which Avas the guiding screw, if it got loose and got into the machine it would cause the damage. The screw would not get loose with proper care. It will cost £8 each to put both machines in proper order. If the screws worked loose it was the engineer's°duty at once to have thrown off tho belts or stopped the engine.—James Cane, a man , employed, heard plaintiff warn defendant before he went away. He often told defendant the flax was not coming through the machine properly. For the defence, Mr. Wilson claimed that the plaintiff be non-suited, on the ground that defendant was charged with gross and wilful negligence. The evidence went to prove that defendant had done all he could, and the mischief caused was purely accidental, and for which defendant was not responsible.—The Court allowed the case to proceed.—James Scott deposed to calling plaintiff's attention to the screw working loose, when plaintiff told him he could go to no more expense. He was obliged to fetch water for the engine as plaintiff did not appoint any person to fetch water. On coming back he heard something was the matter, and immediately stopped the engine. The feeder at the machine ran away and left it. He ought to have thrown the belt on to the slack pulley, which would have prevented the mischief. — Judgment for plaintiff for the damage to one machine—£6 and costs.