MAYOR’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3141, 14 March 1873, Page 2

MAYOR’S COURT.

(Before E. ff. Ward and J. Brown, Escp)., J.P.’s) This Day. Drunkenness,—John Williams was fined os with the option of 24 hours’ imprisonment ; Benjamin Farra, 40s or 14 days. Damaging Government Property, Benjamin Farra was also charged with tearing a blanket valued at 20s while in the cell last evening. He was ordered to pay the amount of damage done ; in default to be imprisoned for seven days. Guild Desertion. —Alexander Menzics was charged by Margaret Durie with deserting his child. As plaintiff, who is defendant’s sister, had taken the child willingly, the Bench dismissed the case. The jurisdiction ov the Court. — Isaac Hewton Watt, sheriff, was summoned under section 41 of bye-law 3 for allowing raia water to run from a shed over the foot*

path. On the summons being read, defendant asked why he was called to appear there.—The Bench : By virtue of the summons issued to you.—Mr Watt said he must object to the information, because there is no such place as the Mayor’s Court. He saw the door-post painted City Police Court. There were only two court? of summary jurisdiction known to the law : the Bench of Justices and the Resident Magistrate’s Court. The Bench remarked that Mr Watt was there for all that, and overruled the objection. Mr Watt; If that is the case perhaps you will allow me to refer to the information—(Looking at it,) lam afraid there are several points on which I must object The Bench : As it appears to be such an exti aordinary case, perhaps it would be better to let it stand over till the Mayor’s return. —Mr Watt then read the informa ion, which recites “ unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly allowing certain waste water, to wit rain water, to How from a certain building, to wit ashed in Cargill street, upon and over the footpath there situate, the said shed shed being in the occupation of the said Isaac N. Watt, contrary to section 40, byelaw No. 3,” Then lam charged with being in occupation of the shed. These are two offences. —The Bench decided that the case should be proceeded wi 11. Inspector Niraon was examined, and in cross-examination by the defendant, he said rain water running to waste meant “waste water.” To this defendant objected, saying in his opinion it was not waste water, and that the information was laid under the wrong bye-law, with which latter objection the Bench agreed, and dismissed the case. Mr Watt applied for costs, which were not granted. A Disreputable Cabman.-— Frank Armstrong was charged with leaving bis horse and cab unattended in Stafford street, inspector Nimou said that defendant, who had only arrived a short time from Melbourne, had got a transfer of license from another cabman, and had always conducted himself in a most disgraceful manner. Frequent complaints had been made of his conduct by other cabmen. On the day in question defendant drove a passenger up to i lie Red Lion Hotel, and followed him into the dining-room and there assauled him.—Mr Thompson, proprietor of the Red Lion Hotel, corroborated this statement. In answer to the Bench, defendant said he was a wheelwright by trade, hut was unable to follow that occupation through having hurt his hand. The Bench warned him if he were again brought up he would be severely dealt with ; and after advising him to return to his old business, line! bin 20s and costs. Bve law Cases. —John Collie, allowing his horse to wander, was lined 2s 6d and costs ; Wm. Blood and Angus Ross, leaving their cabs unattended in Duke street, 2s (id and costs each.