RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3592, 27 August 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Wednesday, August 26. (Before J. Bathgate, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness.—John Counor was discharged with a caution, Brutal Assault.—Benjamin Burgess and, Ihomas Burge s were passed iu the dock, charged with violently assaulting Thomas Jerome, at Anderson’s Bay, on Sunday last —Prisoner pleaded not guilty.—Thomas Jerome said he was a laborer, residing at Anderson’s Bay, On Sunday last he ieit his home, and went with a man named Brighton to the Bay View Hotel, where they had beer, for which be paid. The accused then eame, and they had more drink. They afterwards went to the Bay Horse Hotel. Words took place, and they went towards Anderson’s Bay. W hen opposite Tolmie’s, Thomas Burgess said, “ You b , you tried to get me in gaol twelve months ago,” and then struck witness and knocked him down, besides kicking him and striking him with a large paling. Benjamin Burgess also struck him. Cochrane and Brighton were also present. He gave accused no provoca-tion.—Nub-Inspector Mallard said that prosecutor went to the Hospital yesterday, and the doctor said the injuries were not serious. —Samuel Woods said that he was at present a groom at Mr Ross’s, Anderson Bay. Oa Sunday last, while going through the Bay towards Dunedin, between 2 and 3 p.m, and when opposite Tolmie’s gate, he saw two or three men in the middle of the road. One of the men (Thomas Burgess) took off his coat to fight another w.th another. Seeing witness coming up they retired into Mr Tolmie’s paddock. The first thing witness then saw was the last witness (prosecutor) knocked down by the two prisoners. After ; that lie saw Benjamin Burgess pick up the . railing produced and strike Jerome, who was , th oll lyiug on the ground, with it. Cochrane picked up some stones and threw them at the prisoners.—His Worship did not thiuk the offence serious enough to send the matter to the Supreme Court. The information would be withdrawn, anl a fresh one, charging them with a common assault, dealt with.—The charge of common assault having been read over, both prisoueia pleaded guilty, and his Worship, addressing ttiem, said—Benjamin Burgess and Thomas Burgess, you have had a very narrow escape from being sent to trial to the supreme Court, where you might have received a sentence of two or even three years’ "imprisonment. As there is no medical testimony to show that the blows were of a severe character, 1 have allowed the case to be treated summarily. You seem to have maintained a grudge for twelve months, which in itself is a very serious thing. Any man who could entertain malice towards another for twelve mouths must be very bad. The sentence of the Court is a fine of 11, or six weeks’ imprisonment. Neglected Children. David Dacre Ross, vMiliam Gilchrist Ross, and Robert Mitchell Ross were ch irged with being neglected.—David and William were sent to the Industrial school for seven years, and the charge against Robert dismissed, he being an infant in arms. Thursday, August 27. Drunkenness.—James M'Cluskey was fined 2Ua, with the option of three days’ imprisonment. Vagrancy.—Rose Ghee, a member of the late Balmoral Variety Troupe, was charged, on the information of Sergeant Anderson, with having no lawful means of support.-*

' rison-w plea’ol gui.ty, and said that it was the first time aba had Mean in gaoL tnf Truant said that b ■ bad known prisoner for the last five years. Bno bad uot al ways been a prostitute, having been an actress during bat time.—His Worship, addressing pris mer : The interpretation of the law is that persons are prostitutes having no lawful means of support. You have rendered yourself liable to three calendar months* imprisonment, and if again brought up you 1 mar the liabili y of a very long term of imprisonment. As this is the first lime you have been before the Court, yon will be reutenced to only six days’ imprisonment Margaret Griffin, an immigrant by tbe Scimitar, was charged with vagrancy, but denied the charge.—- s ergt. Anderson had noticed prisoner receuUy keeping com pa y with disreputable charactors. Mte lived with a uumber.of them in Park street.—Detective Sbury had noticed prisoner at the theatre almost every evening. On Monday evening sh-: accosted him in the street.—bivideuce was then given as to her misconduct on the previous evening.—His Worship told prisoner that if she earned on the practice of prostitution openly, and in a public street, it would end in a very long term of imprisonment. In sentencing her to six days’ imprisonment, he informed her that there was an institution in Dunedin where the ladies m charge would gladly receive her, and when she got out of gaol she should get admission to that place, and try and reform. Stealing Bottles.— Richard Thomson was charged on the information of William Lane with having, on the 26th August, stolen from the Australasian Hotel two lemonade bottles, of the value of Bd, the property of Charles S. Reeves.—Prisoner admitted the charge.—Sab-Inspector Mallard explained that although the offence in itself was trivial, Mr Reeves’s firm having had a large number pf bottles stolen, caused an advertisement to bo inserted in th- newspapers cautioning parties against dealing in them. Prisoner had been caught in the very act of taking the bottles from the hotel, and selling them to a dealer in Maclaggan street. Mr Reeves had de-ired him to state that the case had not been brought with a view ot having the man severely punished, but in ord r to have this system stopped.—his Woiship sentenced accused to six days’ imprisonment. shreatbning Behaviour. Samuel Mercer charged Sydney Thomson with using threatening language to him in Duke street, on August 2,—Mr Harris for compainanfc Mr Mouat defended.—Mr Harris characterised the language as so unprovoked and wanton that complalnaut felt bound to take proceedings. Tbe parties were both cabmen Unfortunately it appeared to be a habit of defendant’s, when tbe first opportunity offered to use tbe most disgusting language —Defendant was fined 5s and costs.

Sabbath Liquor Traffic.—Mr Haggitt, on the opening of the Court, said he had been inspected to appear for hobert Cadzon in a police charge preferred against him fjf a breach of the Licensing Ordinance. Ab the summons had only been served on the previous evening, he had not been allowed t me to subpoena witnesses for the defence, and would therefore ask for an adjournment till Saturday or Tuesday.—Mr Harris, who appeared for John Mitchell, against whom two informations had been laid, pointed out that it was absolutely necessary that an adjournment should be granted There was no reason or hearing the cases so hurriedly >Sub Inspector Mallard, while offering no objection to the adjournment, asked that all witnesses for the prosecution who were in attendance should be heard, as he had good cause to believe they wished to leave.—To this course Mr Hag git g objected ; and as there were some heavy cases for Tuesday, the healing of the charges was adjourned till Saturday. The witnesses were bound over to appear en that day.