RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3861, 9 July 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

JTBIDAy. JOjLT 9. (Before J. Bathgate, Esq., E.M.)

CIVIL CASE. Jane Griffiths v. Win, Greenwood,—This was an adjourned case on a fraud summons, defendant being called on to show cause why he flheuld not satisfy a judgment of L2 5s given against him for wages.—His Worship : When the case was la-t before me you presented a declaration of insolvency. I informed you then that it was no excuse.—The defendant : I never intended to do her out of her wages.—His Worship : What reason have you to show why I should not send you to prison ? Defendant: Because I am willing to pay.—His Worship; Then down with the money.—Defendant asked for a month to enable him to pay the amount, but was cut short by his Worship remarking : —The bankruptcy laws were never intended for such as you. A claim for wages is preferable to others. When y mi hj id money in your hand? you ought to have paid the debt. Have you paid other creditors? What assets have you ? —Defendant f J havs about L 5 or L 6. His Worship (leaning over and addressing Greenwooil) : 'I hen I should like to know why you take this woman into service? —Defendant again pleaded his willingness to pay, and promised to work tr enable him to do so —His Worship asked why defendant had incurred the debt. If a man without money incurred an unnecessary deot, was not that next to cheating?— The defendant: J never c! • oed anyone in my life, and am willing to pay her. -His Worship said the bankruptcy laws were never intended for such as def; ndant t would coat him L3o to go throu.h the <’ourt, and the money would be better employed in paying his debts. There were too many cases like tins, and he (his Worship) must say that men of a certain stamp inc rred debts and then thought they were peefectlv safe when they filed a declaration of in olvency.—Defendant: Give mo a we k an l I w il pay —He then called a witness named I a hot, an accountant, who said that defen • hint’s debts were LT2O, and his assets L 7. His Worship: The idea of a man incurring a debt of Ll2O when only* worth L7 —it is d:sgracefnl! A man who is in olvent, if he incurs a debt to the amount of a single penny, is a defrauder. The bankruptcy laws were never intended to white-wash a daily laborer, but to distribute the assets of men in trade. (To the defendant); You have twice filed a declaration. It is common for people to do tbaj;, and

then let the statute time go by and incur other debts. The money incurred by declaring persons insolvent might .ften he thankfully hcce;>ted by creditors.—De'endant again pressed for time for payment.—His Worship : I cannot give pi-rsous taking pn c edin s in the bankruptcy laws time.—A letter was hero mail from pi lintifF, who is up-country, in wbfch she stated : “ 1 am beginning to think that I have given 13s of good money away for prosecuting fho rascal.” —His Worship (again addressing the defendant) : I will adjourn the ease til! Wednesday next, and if this small accnu tis not settled I will make an example of you in consequence of your own misdeeds, and also for the benefit of others acting similarly. Edward Grove v. F. Porter.—Claim LlO, for wrongful ejectment. Mr Harris, jun., ap peared for plaintiff, and Mr Aldridge for defendant.—This was an amusing case. Plaintiff agreed to take the house on a Saturday, and paid a week’s rent, the date of tenure to commence from the following Monday. He took possession on the Thursday and was ejected on the Tuesday following : after having paid a second week’s rent was forcibly turned out and his goods spoilt, plaintiff stating that defendant alleged ss hia reason for so doing that his (plaintiff’s) family were snffering from fever and all kinds of diseases.—At the close of plaintiff’s care defendant’s counsel asked for an adjournment for fourteen days, which was granted.