RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1056, 18 February 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Tuesday, February 17. [Btfctfe J. Ma'ikay, Esq., R.M.] ASSAUtf. Mrs David Thompson \vas charged) on the information of one John Waltei 1 Biggs, with Assaulting him ou the lOtb. inst., b.y striking him with a piece of a bucket. John Walter Biggs, the Complainant, being sworn, deposed I I am a wiuer, residing at Larrikins. I was passing a blacksmith's shop there on Monday week last, when I 3aw the defendant aud Alexander Eraser talking together. I wished the defendant " Good day ! '** and ahe answered me. I said, " It is not very often you come down this way V She said she wad collecting a few bob the Good Templars owed her. She said " Yon never conie to my place" now 1" . I said, " I don't want to come* as I am a Good Templar, aud you are a publican." She Said* "You are a great numskull, and a nieAn lunatic. '•* She then complained of the way I had treated toy mother, and I told her if s*le had been my mother, I should have served her the same. She then struck uie with a piece of an iron bucket, and threw another pieca of iron at my head, which I warded off with hiy hand. By the defendant: I did threaten to knock you down if you behaved the same as my mother did. You had pre* viously threatened to smash me down. By the Bench : I told the defendant that no respectable person would sell liquor ) but this Was as a finishing up* [Laughter.] Alexander Eraser, blacksmith, Larrikin's, sworn, deposed: I know the defendant, and 'she was talking to md at my shop on the day in question. She asked me where certain parties lived, and I pointed out the places. The complainant Biggs came down and planted himself on a stump close to us; He said, " What are you doing down here, Mrs Thompson." She said, " I am money hunting." Biggs then replied. " It is a good job you are not. hunting it from me, as I am a Good Templar." Mrs Thompson then said he had no business there. [The Magistrate : "I think so to."] We all know what Jack Biggs is, and often chaff him.. I saw there was going to be a row., ] heard him say he would knock the defendant down, so I thought I had better get away. [Lauguter.] Tlurde* fendant is a Very respectable woman; and I did not like, to leave her. She would never refuse a mau a feed, ot* even a drink if he wanted ono. [Laughter.] By the defendant • The first words* you said were " What are you doing down here ?" I did not see the defendant strike you with a bucket. I did not see her stick you with a shovel. I saw a piece of Iron in her hand. I wad asked about the affair after it took place, but I knew nothing about it. I did not hear the defendant say that yoii went to town and spent your money amongsb a lot of disreputable characters. By the Bench : The complainant Biggs gave the provocation to the . defendaut, as he had no right there at all. Mrs Thompson was on my pre-» mises at that time;: The stump ou which Biggs was seated was on the side: of the road. I am certaiu that the defendant did not address Biggs first, or call him there. He asked defendanb in an inquisitive sort df manner what» she wauted there. James Hopkins, sworn, deposed : I am a miuer, residing at Larrikins, and on Monday week, thiuking I should see some fun I came down the hill after* the quarrel had started. , I stopped at Bigg's fence, which is about 50 yarda from Eraser's shop. I saw the defeiu daut with a piece of a bucket in her hand ; she flung it at the complainant 5 he raised his arm, and warded it off. I then saw her take up another pieca of iron and sling it at him. after which she then threw another piece, and Biggs) rau away. The defendant, or being asked if she had auything to say in respect to the* charge, stated that the complainant was* a source of constant annoyance, as he said the Good Templars had to pay a licence to keep the publicans down, and he had often visited her house and complained she had supplied his mothef with liquor, and he would have her* license canceled. She denied that she struck him with the bucket, which she raised when he threatened to knock her down. The Magistrate then decided to hear the next case of the same complainant against Pavid Thompson for assault by kicking the defendant on the thigh. This action rose out of .the preceding case, as the defendant, who is the husband of Mrs Thompson, on learning of the manner, in which Biggs had treated his wife, admitted that in the heat of the moment he had gone down to the complaints house to thrash him, but aft

complaint was lying down outßide, fend would not stir, he had given him "'• a rise with his foot." fcThe Magistrate that in toe case against Mrs Thompson, she had received a great deal of provocation from the complainant, and, under the Vsircu instances-, he inflicted a fine of Is 'and costs of Court. lu the case of David Thompson, however, he (the Magistrate) was of opinion that the had purposely gone down to the complainants house to commit the 'assault complained of, and in this case !he inflicted a fine of 50s and costs of Oourt. The fines vvere immediately paid. THREATENING LANGUAGE. John Walter Biggs was then charged, "in the information of Mrs David with using threatening language to her an the 10th inst-. In this case the evidence was only a repitition of the first one heard, the threat being contained in the words ""I'll knock you down"} but, after hearing the evidence oi the complainant, the Magistrate dismissed the vase, at the same time iutimating to the defendant Biggs that if he again interfered with the complain&nt-, he (the Magistrate) would have him bound * over to keep the peace. CIVIL CASES. > Rugg v. Ah Young.—Claim, £2 l&s.'— Judgment was confessed in Court by the defendant for the amount ttlasmed, and costs. M'Lean v. Byder.—Claim £8 10s ; 3d.—The wife of the defendant appeared and admitted the debt, but fcsked for time for payment, as her husband was laid up through illness. The plaintiff agreed to take £1 per week, fend the Magistrate gave judgment for the amount claimed, to be paid at the rate of .£1 per week.