Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 902, 27 December 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1870.

Independent Qrrer of Rechabites. —The regular fortnightly meeting will held this eyening in vhe Tent-room, gt 7,30 o'clQck, Tip English Mail via Sue? f\ at 10 o'clock this morning

pep Rangitoto, from* Melbourne. Telegrams of new* by the niail reached the Bluff per Gothenburg, from Melbourne, ■yesterday morning. * W$ have received a letter stating that the late fire which destroyed Mr T. Bell's flax, mill occurred at rJuhaka, Mahia, and not Mobaka, as had been incorrectly stated. The writer goes on to say that there is every reason to believe tfiac the fire was the work of an incendiary. Jf this be the case, we trust the guilty parties may be discovered and brought to justice. Christmas Festivities.- —Yesterday was observed as a general holiday, all places of business and public offices being closed, and pleasure seekers must have been somewhat embarrassed in selecting from the diversity of amusements offered. In town, in the first place, came the Artillery picnic in Sturm's paddock. The weather proving favorable, the attendance was large, and the various sports were entered into with great spirit. The excellent music of the band added largely to the day's enjoyment.—The Rifle Volunteer Ball in the Oddfellow's Hall last even ing was also a great success. The hall was very tastefully decorated, the refreshments were of the best description, and the band played in their iraial creditable manner. There were between 50 and 60 couple present, and dancing was kept up with great spirit until after daylight thi« morning.—At the range of the Rifle Club yesterday a match was fired between twelve member*, six on each side, Messrs. Dinwiddie and Kennedy being the respective captains. The match resulted in a victory for Mr .Dinwiddie's side, the scores being 213 and 169.-—At Meance a cricket, match on the race course yesterday, between town and country, resulted in another victory for the, latter. — The Rev. Father Eeignier's . annual treat also came off yesterday, and was well attended and heartily enjoyed, especially by the juvenile population. — The festivities of the season are not yet at an end. This day is observed as a holiday by a good many ; 011 Thursday evening next a concert will be gii en bv the Musical Society, and on Monday the Rifle Volunteer Picnic comes ofl at Meanee. Resident Magistrate's Court.The following civil cases were heard on Friday.— Lyndon v. McFarlane. —Plaintiff, as trustee in the estate of George Garry, sued for £lO, the value of certain ironwork, which he considered the defendant had improperly converted. It appeared that the iron had been lying for some time on the Spit, and that Mr McFarlane had bought it of Mrs Garry for £4-. Mr Lyndon hearing of this, acting as trustee of Garry's estate, sent in an account of £lO to Mr McFarlane, which he refused to pay. Mrs Garry afterwards took the things back and returned the money.—The magistrate reserved his decision to Saturday. Manaena Tiri v Thomas Richardson,—A claim of MO for unlawful retention of a horse. It appeared that the plaintiff had no personal knowledge that his horse was in defendant's possession, and his informant was not present.--By consent of defendant the case was adjourned to the 17th January, plaintiff paying £1 lis costs and £2> witnesses' expenses. H. B. Brewing Company v. Thomas Gibbie. —Claim £1 2s 6d for beer— Defendant, who could not produce any receipt, deposed that he had paid Smith, the late manager, a few hours after delivery of the beer. —Judgment for defendant. On Saturday judgment was given in the case of Lyndon v. McFarlane for £4:, the magistrate remarking that he did so reluctantly, as he believed that the defendant had bought the ironwork without any wrong intention, and in order to do a good turn to Mrs Garry. Yesterday and this morning a number of persons —-w 7 ho no doubt considered alcoholic stimulants essential to the proper observance of Christmas—were fined the usual amount for drunkenness. Yesterday, also, Patrick Sullivan and Robert Stuart, charged with stealing two horses, with bridles and saddles, were ordered to be to Wellington by the Lord Ashley for trial.— ThU morning a charge of assault — Smith v. McHardy —was heard. According to the plaintiff, he has had some dispute with defendant (who is lancPord of the Havelock Hotel) about money matterSj

and on Sunday evening last, after some slight altercation, defendant committed a brutal assault upon him with a stave, Mr Lee appeared for plaintiff. Several witnesses were examined, whose evidence threw very little light on the subject; but the defendant, in his statement, gave a very different account of the affair. Mr Lee said that a fine would have no effect upon defendant, who van a man of wealth, and that he ought to be sent to prison.—His "Worship stated that if the case were proved as it had been represented by plaintiff, defendant ought certainly to be imprisoned.—The case was adjourned for a week to enable defendant to bring further evidence. McHardy v. Smith. —This was a civil action, arising out of the business disputes already mentioned. Mr Lee, who appeared for defendant, complained that the summons had only been served yesterday.—Adjourned for one week.