RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3709, 12 January 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, January 11. (Before J. Bathgate, Esq., R.M.)

Drunkenness —David Joy was let off with a caution ; James Wapshott was fined ss. with the alternative of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment; Anne Lockwood LI, of urteen nays’. Obscene Language —John Falser, for using obscene language within the hearing of nersons passing in Howe street, was fined 10s, in default three days’ imprisonment with hard labor. Wife Desertion.—James Walker was charged (on warrant) with deserting his wife, Catherine Walker, at Christchurch on December 15, 1871 —Defendant pleaded not guilty, and said that he was never married to the woman, and in fact did not know who she was.—His Worship ; Did you never go through any mock ceremony’—Defendant (indignantly) ! No; Ido not know her at all.—Snb-li.sne tor Mallard asked, under the circumstances, that the defendant might be again remanded till to-morrow. The police h>d communicated with the Christchurch authorities for instructions, and the reply received was that if defendant paid towards the supnort of his wife and child, that was all that was required ; but iu consequence f h>s plea and denial that the woman was his wife he (<he Su ! -Inspector) had to ask for a remand till next day, in order to receive further instructions from Canterbury. —His Worship suggested that defendant might be remanded to Christchurch, but the SubInspector pointed out that if that course were pursued it would entail considerable expense.—His Worship in adjourning the case till next day said that he would admit the defendant to bail in his own recognizance for L2O, the warrant beingdated as far back as 1871.—Sub-Inspector Mallard could not understand why the warrant had been so long withheld, as it bad only been received in Dunedin on the 4th of the present month.- His Worship thought that defendant might have been traced here ; hence the warrant was sent down.