MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1226, 7 February 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, February 7. [Before G. L. Mollish, Esq , R.M„ and Di. Deamer, J.P.J Drunkenness. —Patrick Butler was fined 20s. Wm. Cody, who had been arrested for drunkenness, and at the time was suffering from an injury to his leg, was remanded toi a week, to bo sent to the Hospital in txio meantime. . Vagrancy. Richard Fitzgerald was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. Accused had been arrested in a hut six miles from town, and was stated to have lately obtained a job of tying. It was shown that when the information was laid, accused was loafing about Riccarton, and numerous complaints had then been received of his conduct by the police. As (lie accused was now working the Bench gave him a chance, and discharged him with a caution. Rape. —Q.uam Yana was charged on remand with this offence, committed at (’pawn. Lee Horn', a Chinese from Ashburton, acted ns interpreter. Detective Walker called, deposed to arresting the accused on the South town belt about six o’clock on Saturday evening, 2nd instant. At this stage Lee Hong told the Bench that he did not sufficiently understand the witness so as to interpret the evidence to accused. He had been thirteen years away from China, and had never been in a court, of justice before. Inspector Hickson told the Bench that a Chinaman named Ah Ting was an excellent interpreter, but as he required him as a witness he could not permit him to act. He had been told that Lee Hong had acted as interpreter before. After some further remarks the Bench decided to again remand the accused until February 15th, the police in the meantime to see if they could get other evidence which would enable them to dispense with Ah Ting’s e vidence. If unable to do so, an interpreter to be sent for to Dunedin. Local Health Act— John King was summoned for creating a nuisance under the Local Board of Health Act, by melting tallow in the factory, Sclwyn street. Mr Cowlishaw appeared for the Board, and Mr Joynt for the defendant. Mr Pearce, inspector of nuisances, deposed to complaints having boon made to the Board by residents in the locality of defendant’s factory. Witness visited the place and found the premises very clean, but the nuisance arose from the tallow being melted in open vats. The nuisance might ho remedied by the tallow being melted in closed vats, and a digester used to deal with the steam. At Hancock’s factory a nuisance complained of had been remedied. In cross-examination the witness said that he had heard that if tho fumes were compelled to pass through the tire all noxiousness would be consumed. Mr Joynt said that his client had consulted Professor Bickerton, who considered this would be the best course. Mr Cowlishaw said ho would have no objection to tho matter standing over for a month to allow of Mr King trying this remedy. The Bench consented to that course, and adjourned tho case for one month.

LYTTELTON. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Thursday, Ebbeuaky 7. Drunkenness. —Wm. Nicholls, arrested, by Constable Devine, was fined 20s, or in default 9G hours. Civil Case. —Coombridge v [Vincent and Co, claim £6 12s 6d, for goods supplied to British Hotel. Mr H. N. Nalder for plaintiff, and Mr Wynn Williams for defendant. John Coombridge, examined, stated that the sura sued for was for goods supplied to Mr J. Elvine?, manager of the British Hotel. Mr Elvines had given him the cheque produced on October 29th. The cheque was dated November 3rd, as Mr Elvines had told him at the time ho gave it to him that he would have to wait several days before he could give him the money, so had post dated the cheque. On the 30th October Mr Elvines was found dead. He (witness) had applied to Mr Cotton, manager of the Union Bank of Australia, Lyttelton, to have the cheque cashed, but Mr Cotton told him that the cheque was useless. He had applied to Vincent and Co. for the money about a fortnight after Mr Elvines’ death. He had always understood that Mr Elvines was simply Messrs Vincent and Co.’s agent, and had applied to them for the money and not to Elvines’ executors Wm. Vincent examined, said that Elvines was Vincent and Co.’s agent at the British Hotel. Elvines had no authority to pay any of the hotel accounts by cheque. Ho was instructed to pay cash. Elvines had a settlement with Viuuent and Co. on October 29th, and the aceouat in question was allowed for in the settlement. Cross-examined by Mr Nalder — Elvines was instructed to pay all local accounts in each from receipts at hotel, and then bank the (balance to Messrs Vincent and Co.’s credit. Both counsel addressed the Bench at length, and the Bench then gave judgment for defendant, with Court costs and solicitor’s fee.