RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3533, 19 June 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, June 19. (Before J. Bathgate, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness.— Alexander Leckie, having been in the Colony for sixteen years and never having previously been before the Court, was discharged with a caution. .■stealing Liquor. George M’Padyen was charged, on the information of James >uliivan, with having, on Jane 18, stolen from, the Utago Hotel a decanter of whisky and a bottle of brandy, of the value of 10s. Prisoner said some joking was going on in the hotel, and the barman left him to take charge of the place. lie took tbe decanter to the fountain to fill it with water, and n hile there was accosted by the barman. His Worship thought it became an unfortunate^’lark/’ as prisoner had previously been convicted of larceny.—James Sullivan, nightwatchman at the Utago Hotel, said that prisoner knocked at the hotel door at a quarter to one yesterday morning. He opened tht door, and prisoner asked for a glass of hot grog, with which witness supplied him, ■After being there some time witness requested him to leave, and he refused. Wit ness then put out the gas while he went to procure assistance in turning him out, and while outside saw the prisoner leave the hotel with something under bis arm. He followed him to the fountain, where be found him with the.decanter of whisky in his hand, and the bottle of brandy in his right-hand pocket. Took them from him, and sent aMr Moss for the police, whereupon prisoner ran away. • Evidence was also given by Mr Moss, proprietor of the btar coffee stand, and Sergeant Anderson. - His Worship said that when a man was onoe convicted, and came up again, as prisoner now did, it became a very serious offence, tie thought there was nothing so mean as for a working man to steal. (Prisoner : I can assure you that it was the drink.) He was very glad to say that this class of crime did not otten occur here. The community was remarkably well conducted, considering its number. He could hot overlook the offence, in the face of the previous conviction. Prisoner was sentenced to thirty days’ imprisonment. CIVIIj'CASE, Momington Road Board v. Asher.—Claim li 6 10a for assessment rates. For the defence it was urged that the rate was far too excessive.—John Asher, defendant, stated that he rented a paddock, for which he was rated at L 52 per annum. He sent ip. a notice of appeal and appeared on the proper day to support it, but there were only two , members of the Road Board and the. clerk present—not a quorum. The matter was talked over and a reduction in the rate proposed. A few weeks after witness was called on to pay the rate, and he then found it had not been reduped.—William Barr, settler, said he let the paddock to defendant; the rent was a fair one and fully up to the value of the land.—tiis Worship thought there was a certain hardship in the case, but he could not see his way to giving redress, as defendant had not brought his appeal before the Resident Magistrate, as directed by law. —J udgmenfc for plaintiff for amount claimed’ with costs of Court alone, as the Road Board had conducted their business loosely. i*ew Zealand Distillery Company v. J G. M l Kay.—Claim L2B 7s 2d, for dishonored promissory note and money paid os duty on spirits. Judgment by default for plaintiffs for amount claimed, with costs.