RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 678, 16 April 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, CLYDE.

Wednesday, ijraiL 14 ir, 1873. (Before W. L. Simpson, Esq., R.M.) Ah War and two other Chinamen were charged by the Trustees of the Clyde Cemetery with maliciously and wilfully damaging property in the Cemetery, by setting fire to the grass, thereby destroying some shrubs and a quick-thorn hedge. It appears that the defendants had been celebrating a religious ceremonial for a dead countryman, and had lighted some crackers, which rt suited in the damage complained of by the Tiustees. Evidence was given that they did their u'most to put the fire out. Mr F. J. Wilson, who appeared for defendants, contended that by Section 6 of the Cemeteries Ordinance, no conviction could take p’ace, as the evidence proved that there had been no wilful destruction but on the contrary, the damage occurring purely through an accident during the performance of a religious right customary amongst the Chinese. They might he amenable for damages on a civil plaint, hut the present charge was quasi criminal. His Worship concurred, and decided to dismiss the ease, stating that the defendants were liable for the damage done, and recommended them to compensate the Trustees for the damage, thereby disposing of the necessity of the Trustees taking out summonses to recover the amount. He also cautioned the Chinese on the dangerous p-aotice of discharging fireworks in tl e Cemetry. The British Government would not wantonly interfere with the religious ceremonies of a People, except when such practices became dangerous to the propicrty of the public, and asked the Chinese Interpreter to explain this to his countrymen. We understand the matter was eventually settled by the defendants paying the sum of L 4.

Thursday, April 15. Police v. Hamilton, and Same v. Thomson.—Cruelty to animals.—No attendance of defendants.—Adjourned to the 19th inst. Barrett v. Corporation of Queenstown,—• The amount was paid into Court. Tarrant and Ilennessy v W. Adams. Claim, L3S 15s for work and labor done in the building of an additional room to a stone house.—Pleaded not indebted ; also a set-off of J.3S 19s. The case resolved itself upon the ipiestion of agreement entered into, and the being in favor of the plaintiffs evidem e verdict was recorded for them in L 24, and costs 1.3.

CORPORATION OF ALEXANDRA. —o— The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 14th inst. Present—J. Sampson Esq., Mayor, in tho chair; and Crs. Bercsford, Finlay, and Theyers. The minutes of last meeting were read and cofirmed. Outward correspondence approved. A letter was received from the Survey Department, enclosing two lithograph plans of the Township of Alexandra. The. Town Clerk was instructed to acknowledge receipt of the plans with thanks. Cr. Beresford reported that he had had an interview with Mr Reid, Provincial Secretary, as requested by tho Council, to ask the Government to lower the street into the now road from the ferry; also, to make some improvement in the sandy pa: t of the road between here and Clyde, Mr. Reid said ho was quite agreeable if the road could he improved for the present to spend say fifty pounds, pending the road being properly made. He thought the request of the Council that the Government should lower the streets into the now road was quite reasonable and that they would get the work done. A vote of thanks was recorded to Cr. Beresford for his kindness in waiting upon tho Government to explain the wants of the Council. The Town Clerk was instructed to give notice that tho Council have fixed the 19th of April for the rates to he paid. A vote of thanks to the chair closed tho meeting.

A great fire at Lille has destroyed one of the ohlcst and most important printing establishments in France—that of Messrs. Bane], founded in IfifiG. Many rare honks, impossible to be replaced, have also hren destroyed. The loss is estimated at a million and a half of francs (£110.000), of which not a tenth part is covered by insurance. The Prince of Macao, one of the highest personages in Japan, is now employed ns a workman in the National Printing-office at Paris. Having been directed by the Tycoon to learn the art of printing, he is doing so in every branch , and wears his blouse like an ordinary French operative.