RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2110, 9 February 1870, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

(Before A. C. Strode, Esq., R.M.) Civil Cases. EXTENDER .JURISDICTION. Douse v. Bolt.—A claim for L2S on a dishonored cheque. Mr A\ ard for the plaintiff. Verdict by default for the amount. Dixon v. Winter.—A claim for LSO for damages asserted to lie caused hy the carelessness of the defendant’s servants whereby certain property was destroyed by fire. Mr Haggitt for the plaintiff ; Mr Hams, with him (Mr W. W. Wilson, for the defendant. The short facts of the case as stated in evidence, were that the laud of the plaintiff and defendant on the Peninsula joined each other, and an old brush fence becoming useless, it was mutually agreed to put up a new fence. The defendant had contracted with a man named Pearce to put up his portion, who agreed to guarantee him “against all danger” during the progress of thework. On the 2Gth January Pearce and his mate lit a lire to boil their billy, which they thought they had extinguished, but a puff of wind coming it burst into a flame, burnt the old brush fence, and destroyed a small house, -which luckily w-as uninhabited. The defendant jdeaded non-liability, on the ground that the contractor was not his servant, and therefore ho was not liable for the consequences of his actions. His Worship reserved judgment till (Monday. There were several eases called in w-hich the parties did not appear.