RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, AHAURA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 890, 3 June 1871, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, AHAURA.

Thursday, June 1. (Before Caleb Whitefoord, Esq., 8.M.) Thomas Smith and Edward Campbell were charged with maliciously maiming two horses, the property of Antonio Lardi, of Totara. Ihe defendants, had been remanded from the last sitting of the Court for the production of a material witness for the prosecution, who was unable to attend the last Court inconsequence of an accident. Edward Busbridge, a cabman, said he was at the Mia-Mia on the night the offence was alleged to have been committed. Slept in same room with defendants, and was of opinion they could not have gone away during the night without his knowledge. In the morning saw the horses, which were subsequently found to be injured, in the possession of Lardi's packer, and remarked that they were lame. The witness generally contradicted the evidence of the packer as to the substance of a conversation alleged to have taken place between him (the packer) and the accused, but admitted that the packer might have said to the defendants, without him (witness) hearing it, " that's a smart trick you played on the horses," or "you might revenge yourselves on Lardi without driving nails into the horses' hoofs." The witness's examination and cn.ss- examination lasted a long time, but nothing further of importance was elicited. His Worship, in giving judgment, said the evidence against the defendants was not sufficiently clear to justify him in committing them for trial. The offence, by whomsoever committed, was of a cowardly and atrocious nature, and it was the second case of the kind brought; before him recently, in which persons bad tortured dumb animals to spite the owners of them. A charge of this description, if brought home to the person, who committed it, would render him liable to H years' imprisonment with hard labor, and he regretted to learn that there were evildisposed individuals residing in the district, malicious enough to be guilty of such a crime. . The defendants were then discharged. Mr Staite appeared for the prosecutor, Mr Guinness defended the accused, civil, cases. Marshall and Yonng v. Hearse,— -For Ll9 los, the amount of an I OU. Verdict for complainants with costs, Mr Staite for plaintiffs. yJohnston v. Bisno. — For I<lo on an IOU. Judgment for plaintiff by default with cobts. Eittlety v. Ford.-^-A claim of LH 6s 5d for goods supplied at Callaghans. Defendant admitted the debt, but said there were others liable as well. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. Defendant was told he could sue his mates, Murison v. BelminsoD.—For L 5. This was a similar case to the last. Judgment by consent, with costs. Kilgour and Perotti v. W. Williams. — A judgment summons for L 8 14s 6d. Defendant was ordered to pay L 2 per week. Russell v. Brown.— For L 9 3s 7d, on two separate lOU's. Judgment by consent, with costs. A. M'Donald v. Brown and Eckhold.— - For L 25 10s lid, for beef supplied at Half-Ounce. The dependent Eckhold admitted the debt, but it was sought for plaintiff to make Brown also liable, as he was likely to be a " better mark." The plaintiff was nonsuited as against Brown with costs, and a verdict was given against Eckhold for the full amount claimed and costs. Mr Staite for plaintiff; Mr Guinness for defendant Brown. James Sutherland v, Edward Fein.— An action to recover L 26 17s 6d for work done on a contract to build an hotel at Napoleon, and for extras. Defendant filed a set-off of L 27 9s 6d for cash, paid on account and other items. The evidence in this ease was very contradictory, and it transpired that the plaintiff had at one time signed a receipt in full, but he now alleged chat he did not get an equitable consideration for it. It was stated this receipt was not stamped, but it was not produced in Court. After a long hearing judgment was given for defendant, without costs. Mr Guinness appeared for the defendant.

In the Warden's Court, James Fitasimmons was fined L 5 for carrying on bnsineas' at Half-Ounce without a license. There were no other cases, and both Courts were adjourned to 1 otn Jane.