RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 178, 8 April 1873, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday, April 3, 1873. i Be/on W. Lawrence Simpson, Kmj., H.M., undl James Corse, Esq., J,P.) CHARGE OF ALLOWING PROSTITUTION IN A LICBNBHD HOUSE. Police i'. Ann Box.—The hearing of this complaint, which had been adjourned for the production of further evidence, was now resumed. Mr Wilson for defendant. Sergeant Cassels, who conducted the prosecution, called Teresa Goss, lately in the employment of defendant ;<s a domestic servant. This witness's replies to the delicate interrogatories put to her were given with a simulated diffidence that was highly amusing. Her evidence against the defendant was of the most damnatory character. The Bench dismissed the information. They could give no erede.ee to Mrs (hiss's statements, and apart from her evidence the charge could not be sustained. They took the opportunity to recommend Mrs Goss to leave the district wiih all convenicn speed, otherwise she might possibly bring trouble on herself. BIrfORDKRLY CONDUCT IN A I.ICKNSRD HOUSE. The same defendant wis then charged, on the information of Serg' ant Cassels, with having on the night of the I2:h March allowed disorderly conduct within her license 1 premises, known as tie Victoria Junction hotel. Mr Wilsm, f >r defendant, j Tide 1 not guilty. 'lhe only witness for t!ic prosecution was Jessie Hot, lately servant wMi Mrs Box. Her .-.vidence went to prove that then.' was disorderly conduct in defendant's house on thu occasion in ipies ion, hut the did not think Mrs 8..x knew of it at the iime. For the defene ', Mr Wilson examined Thomas Tievathen, .ioei Chapman, mil I Sergeant Cassels. The latter \\.«s called u> speak a., to the relations exisiingbetween the deftndant and Mrs Cess,— the Liter, it app ared, having been the most prominent participator in the disorderly conduct complained of. Mr V> ilson addressed the Bench in defence. He stated t at Mis Goss was a uotoiinusly violent woman—had been discharged fiotn defendant's service, that she afterwards forcibly

entered the premises and supplied herself with drink, and that she was the sole cause of any disorderly conduct that might hive occurred on the occasion charged. There was nothing to show that Mrs Box was cognisant of any i regularity beyond that. The Bench were of opinion that it was impossible for Mrs Box not to hive been aware of tho alleged improprieties. They were satisfied she had knowingly ailowed disorderly conduct in lur house on the 12th ult., and would therefore inflict a penalty of £5. The Bench refused to allow any expenses to Mrs (1 iss, who hud been summoned as a witness in this case, but not called. -ASSAULT. James Eminerson was charged wii.h having assaulted and kicked Mis Ann Box, landlady of the Victoria .1 unction Hotel. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutrix stated that the defendant came into her bar and had a drink. A dispute arose about change, and defendant jumped up •md denounced Mrs Box in terms more forcible than polite. He then kicked he>% and lifted a quoit (produced) to knock her braiii3 out. Thomas Trevathen saw defendant shove Mrs Box along the passage and kick her. Defendant had a quoit in his hand, an I threatened her with it. The man was not drunk at the lime. Jessie Holt was called by the prosecutrix, but declined to give evidence. The Defendant, a stranger from the West Coast, s.iid he would not deny the assault, but pleaded great provocation, lie happened to be passing Mrs Box's, airl went in to have a drink. He gave the barmaid (Jessie Holt) a shilling in payment-., but ns she had not a sixpence to give him in change, ho gave Mrs Box ha'f-a crown, and asked her to give him three shillings back. She resumed him on'y one shilling; and when he asked for the other two she called him an Irish b— and ab Fenian. She then to kup a broomstick and made a run at him, at tli3 same time telling Trevathen to turn him out. She dso took up a whip and threatened to horsewhip defendant. The defendant was fined 20s. and costs. ILLEGAL DETENTION OF MONEY. Ann Box was charged by James Emmerson with illegally detaining the sum of two shillings the property of plaintiff. Defendant pleaded not guilty. This case arose out of the dispute mentioned above. Plaintiff swore he only received one shilling change out of 3s. (id. He demanded two shillings more, which the defendant refused to give. The Defendant swore by a solemn oath that she gave him three shillings. The Bench were satisfied the man spoke the truth, and ordered defendant to restore the two shillings and pay ss. 6d. cos's. W. SHANLY V, BIN'UE AND WRIGHTSON. Claim, £ll ISs. 91. for goods supplied in IS7O and 1871 to Brian Ambler, who was then carting coal from Binge and Wrightson's pit. Mr Wrightson pleaded not indebted. The Plaintiff stated that the goods were supplied to Ambler on the understanding that he was a servant of Binge and Wrightson. Ambler had since left the district. Mr Wrightson said that Ambler never had any authority to order goods for the firm of Wrightson and Binge. He was not in their service : lie simply ha 1 a contract to cart coa's from their pit as a stated price per ton. Mr Fraer gave evidence in support of the statement that Ambler was not a servant of the firm. The Bench came to the conclusion that Wrightson was in no way liable to the plaintiff. Mr Wilson asked for a nonsuit, which was granted. REN'DALL ft SIIANLY. The hearing of this suit was further adjourned j for a fortnight. JAMES SCOTT V. ALFRED COOK. £l4 10s. 9d. for goods supplied. No appear- | auce for defendant, who was said to be in Queenstown. Judgment by default for amount claimed, with 10s. costs : failing payment, distress ; and failing distress, two months in Dunedin Gaol. J. MITCHIKSON V. ROBERT SWAN. £IS os. 4d. No appearance for defendant. Judgment for amount claimed, with IDs. costs : same alternatives as in preceding ease. OOSSAR AND BEXNET V. MARTIN BRTCff. Claim, £6los. lid. for goods sold and delivered. The defendant admitted the debt, hut pleaded poverty. Judgment for sum c'aimecl, with ISs. costs : failing payment, distress. The cases M onsen v. Brich, and Monson v. Alley, were adjourned for a week. TRANSFER OF LIORNSE. The application of Alfred Short for a tempo- | rary transfer of his general license to Charles Augel was granted.