RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2537, 21 October 1884, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, October 20. [Before A. C. Campbell, and D. Hannan, Esqs., J.Ps.] ASSAULT. Margaret Sheedy, on remand for unlawfully and maliciously wounding one James Miles on the 28th September, was again brought up on the same charge, the witness James Miles having sufficiently recovered to appear and give evidence. Sergeant Russell prosecuted. Accused asked for another remand in order to give her time to get another witness and a solicitor. The Sergeant explained that accused had had ample time and opportunity to obtain these, as the case had been twice remanded, and he himself was perfectly prepared to go on with the case. The Bench took the same view of the matter’, and decided to go on with the case. James Miles being sworn, said he was a miner, residing at Larrikins, He was so drunk whilst he was in accused’s house that he did not remember for certain whether it was accused who hit him, or with what kind of instrument he had been struck. He did not think it was so serious a blow until about the Bth October, when he was examined by Dr. Monckton, who pronounced it to be a fracture of the skull, and ordered him to the Hospital, where subsequently an operation was performed upon him. Dr, Monckton was then examined, and testified to the dangerous nature of the wound, which must have been given by some sharp instrument snch as the edge of a flat-iron. Miles then showed signs of paralysis in his limbs, and articulation was becoming weak and indistinct. After the operation, the patient began to recover, and the symptoms of paralysis gradually disappeared. A fad would not have inflicted such a wound. In reply to the Bench, Dr. Monckton also stated that he considered Miles was out of danger whilst he was in the Hospital under his charge; but that if, when he should discharged from the Hospital, he should indulge in drink, there would be great danger, and he could not answer for the consequences. Walter Williams, being sworn, said : He was a labourer. He remembered going into Mrs Sbeedy’s house on the 28th September. He saw accused and Miles there. Miles gave him a £1 note to fetch some drink. Miles and accused were (hen sitting peaceably together. On his return, about an hour afterwards, he found the witness Miles drugging accused by the hair of her head. He noticed blood on Miles’ forehead. He saw no blows exchanged, hut got Miles away from accused. Being himself under the influence of liquor, he could not remember much about the a flair. Soon after that he went home. The m-xt witness subpoenaed was Margaret Mnlholland, but the prosecutor Slated thaf he did not now think

her evidence would be of any service, and asked that it be dispensed with, which was granted. Constable Quirk was next called, and gave evidence to what he saw at accused’s house on the day of the assault, and subsequently taking the injured man to Dr. Monckton’s to have the wound examined, and afterwards to the Hospital ; and on the 9th inst, proving to the arrest of the prisoner. The Bench retired for a qnarter-of-an-hour, and after a severe caution to the accused as to her future conduct and the manner in which she conducted her house, also how near she was to being committed for trial, dismissed the case.