RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.—Nov. 6.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 141, 10 November 1871, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.—Nov. 6.

(Before H. W. Kobinson, Esq., R.M.) The Queen (by James Higgins) v Mary Anne Lloyd,—This was a charge of feloniously stealing from the person of one James Higgins, miner, in the Bendigo Hotel, on the sth.instant, the sum of £4, the property*of the said James Higgins. The taking of the pocket-book from the pocket of Hi°-gins was clearly proved, as also the throwing away by the accused of a £1 note at the time of being arrested. Committed to Dunedin gaol for three months, with hard labor. There were iu this case such disclosures as to the hours kept in some of the pubJiehouseß

in this place, as should put the police on the qui vive. "We trust they will have the effect of doing so. Scenes such as those described are not only disgraceful in themselves, and injurious to the house in which they occur, but affect prejudicially those houses in which regulai hours are kept, and in which business is carried on in a fair and legitimate manner. Sergeant M'Cluskey prosecuted, and Mr. .Rowlatt de'ended the accused.

Mary E. Barry v. John Tait.—This was a claim for £9, the amount alleged to be due for wages. Mr. Bailey for plaintiff, Mr. Herislet for defendant. An agreement vvas produced, by whicb it appeared that plaintiff was engaged in JL)uncdin to act as barmaid, and to assist in domestic work, for three months, at 15s. per week. It was sought to be established for the defence that the plaintiff was physically uua'de to do her duty ; that she had left willingly ; and that she had no claim for wages. It appearing in evidence that the plaintiff had been in the service of defendant for five weeks, judgment was given for JB3 155., and 13s. costs, less the sum of £1 155., which plaintiff admitted having received while in service.

David Maitland v. Patrick Kearney. —Claim, £l6 10s., for ten head of cattle at 18s. 6d. per head, which had been depasturing upon plaintiffs run for two years ended August 30th last. Mr. Oliver, manager of the station, stated that though only ten head had been charged there had always been considerably over that number ; that the defendant had before paid the same amount; and that he had been present when an arrangement to pay that sum was made by defendant with Mr. Maitland. It was argued for the defence that the charge was unreasonable, seethat the cattle were seldom away from Kearney's own house, and that,.as they were regularly fed three times a day, they could not consume much grass ; and further, that the demand per head was far in excess of that charged by other runholders. Judgment for amount claimed with costs, 16s. Mr. Pertslet for plaintiff, Mr. Rowlatt for .the defence. Upon the application of Mr. Rowlatt, two months were allowed within which to pay the judgment.