MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2170, 8 February 1881, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, February 8. [Before G. L. Lao, and R. Westenra, Esqs., J.P.V] MALICIOUSLY Damaging Peopeety.— Eobert Wyatt wag brought up on remand from Friday loot charged with doing damage to parta of a reaping maohine, the property of J. T.P. Morshead, of Lincoln. Mr Joyce appeared for the accused. J. T. F. Morehead deposed that prisoner had been in his employment a* a laborer for some time, and had charge of a reaper and binder. On January 28th, haying occasion to absent himself, he left prisoner at the farm. On returning, he found there bad been a row amongst the men, and believing prisoner to be the cause, witness discharged him, paying him his wages. Witness left a reaping maohine he had been driving on January 31st in a paddock at Tai Tapu, a considerable distance from the road. Next morning he found the tool box broken open, some tools were gone, parts of the machine were broken, and other parts were taken away. He estimated the damage to the machine as from £5 to £lO. The crop that was being reaped bad to stand for some time. The damage had been done to the interior of the maohine, and was evidently the doing of some one familiar with the machinery. Cross-examined—The paddock where the machine was left is a long way back from the road. There was no short out for traffic there. To the Bench—Witness did not see the accused about there while he was working. The maohine was a “ Leering,” of which there arc only two (to the knowledge of witness) in the district. There was no peculiarity about this particular machine, beyond that it was a “ Leering.” The parts tampered with were those belonging to the tying apparatus. Mary Duffy, a servant in the employment of last witness, said—On January 28th saw prisoner and a man named Nelson at dinner in Mr Morshead's kitchen, In a conversation prisoner said if he had to stay a week longer he would do more harm than good. Ha could build stacks which would fall to the ground, or ho could smash the machine. James Goodbrand, farm laborer, deposed to being present at Morshead's when a disturbance took place. A man named Nelson told prisoner he would have to give a week’s notice. Prisoner had refused to build some stacks, which Morshead had left orders for him to do. Prisoner said if ho had a week’s notice he could put up stacks which would catch the rain, or, if he wont with the machine, it might bo broken. After prisoner got his discharge and cheque, bo said, in a conversation with witness, that he would bet money the maohine was broken before two days wore over. Cross examined: There had been plenty of beer about that morning. Prisoner and Nelson had two gallons of their own procuring. John Herrick, a farmer, living at Tai Tapu, stated he had a conversation with Mr Morshead on February Ist. Crossexamined : Tanner’s paddock, where Morshead had been reaping, was close to the Akaroa road. He knew the place very well. 80-examined—Witness said there was a paddock between the road and Tanner’s paddock, but did not know its breadth. It was not very broad. George Monro, a farm laborer, deposed to going with prisoner in a trap belonging to a man named Body on the night of January 31st from Christchurch to Tai Tapu, whore prisoner was set down by a footbridge close to the school at one or two o’clock on the morning of the Ist February. Ha said he was going to join some mates, who were camped at Faulkner’s, near theta. There was nothing said about Morshead during the drive. R. Body gave similar evidence. From where prisoner was put down there is a road leading to Tanner’s farm. Cross-examined— Prisoner first asked to bo taken to Lincoln, but when he got out, said ho would walk the rest of the distance in the morning. Hy. Faulkner, form laborer, of Tai Tapu, stated that prisoner was not at bis place on the night of January Slat. There was no tent at or near hia place at the time. Cross-examined—By the shortest road from the foot-bridge to Tanner’s land is about a mile. Stoddart, farmer of Tai Tapu, said ho saw prisoner on the Lincoln road on February Ist. Ho gave bim a lift in his buggy towards Lincoln. On the way a conversation took place, in which prisoner informed witness that part of Morshead’s machine had been taken away the night privious. When he picked up prisoner the latter was about two miles and a quarter from Tanner’s farm, going towards Lincoln. Cross-examined —This took place about ten in the morning. Michael Hargan, farm laborer, employed by Mr Lambie, of Lincoln, deposed to accused having come to work at the same place on the Ist February. He told witness that ho had seen him driving the cows at about 4 o’clock in the morning. Witness was driving the cows at that time. Ho further told witness that he had been sleeping under a hedge. This was the evidence in the case, Mr Joyce addressed the Bench, nrging that no prima facie cose had been mode out, but prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next sessions of the Supremo Court.

LYTTELTON. Tuesday, Ekbbuaby 8. [Before Joseph Beswiok, Ejq., R M.J Tbavbllino Without a Ticket. A man, who was under the influence of drink, and who travelled from Christchurch to Lyttelton in a first-class railway oarrioge having but a second-class ticket to do it with, was fined in the costs and the difference (7d) in the price of the tickets. Dbunk and Di bobdbbly.—D. McDonald, for being drunk and disorderly, was fined 10s, Bad Language.—Mrs Elizabeth Arthur was brought up, on remand, for using foul language to M. Waters. The Bench severely reprimanded the woman, and fined her in the sum of £lO or to undergo three months’ imprisonment.