RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3422, 9 February 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, February 9. (Before A. C. Strode, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness.- Michael Prendergast, for this offence, was fined 20s, or three d iva’ imprisonment. Tij eft.— James Duncan, alias Whelan, was charged with, stealing a meerschaum pipe from the person of one Thomas Potter. —Sub-Inspector Mallard asked for a remand as prosecutor could not be found, but called a witness named George Wright, a seaman, who stated that he bought the pipe produced from the prisoner yesterday, and that on meeting Potter the latter claimed it as bis property. On Hading accused, Potter said he was the man who must have stolen the pipe.—Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded till to.morrow morning. CIVIL CASES, Cargill ;v. Urquhart and Allen. —Claim Lll Ids lid, for groceries supplied by Jamieson and Skene, in whose estate plaintiffs are trustees. Mr Stout appeared for plaintiffs.—l. M. Jamieson proved supplying the goods to defendants, who are partners in the schooner Redcliffe. Understood that

they were partners.—P. P. Allen, lacdlord of the City Buffet Hotel, said that he was a partner with Urquhart at the time the goods were supplied, and thought the latter should pay his share of the amount claimed.—His Worship said that was nothing to plaintiffs, and gave judgment for the amount, with costs. Bowie and M ‘Knight v. M'Cabe.—Claim L 3 13s, for groceries supplied.—Defendant admitted the claim, but asked to be allowed to pay it by instalments of os a week, which was agreed to, and judgment given accordingly. M‘Kenzie v. Burke.—Claim Ll7, damages for illegal detention of two heifers and one bullock. Mr Stout for plaintiff, Mr Barton for defendant.—Plaintiff stated that defendant had branded the beasts in question (witness’s property), and that they were running on land between the rropertv of defendant and St. Leonards. Witness had sustained some loss through being unable to get them from and claimed Lls for their valne, and L2 for damages.—A number of witnesses were examined as to the identification of the cattle, all agreeing that they belonged to plaintiff, though they bad been really in defendant’s possession for a long period.—For the defence, Mr Barton called John Drake, who, in passing defendant’s land, had often noticed the cattle in question running in a mob. Had seen them for the last eighteen months, and always thought they belonged to defendant.—Jerry Connor, herdsman to defendant, knew the bullock well, but had never seen the two heifers.—Colman Burke, defendant, said he offered to buy or return any cattle that might belong to plaintiff, it the latter could identify them ; but this lie was unable to d°-—His Worship said there was some difficulty in coming to a conclusion as to the ownership of the cattle, but from the evidence given he thought the two heifers belonged to plaintiff, and the bullock might be defendant’s property. Judgment would be for plaintiff lor LB, with costs, ro the two heifers to be returned. Judgment was given by default in the following case :—Sargent v. Fairbaak, claim LI 10s 3d, for newspapers supplied. [Left sitting.]