I RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. I

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 6 April 1866, Page 2

I RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. I

This Day. [Before J. Poyntee, Esq., 11. M.] CHARGE OF VAGRA_CT. Mr. Shallcrass, chief officer of police, appeared to lay an information against a woman named Caroline Rankin, who had for several weeks past lived in an out house, at the old depot. The woman with her children were in a most disgusting state of filth; they were also the subjects of disease. As there seemed no other legal way of disposing of the woman, I and Mr. Shallcrass, being held responsible by persons ignorant of the circumstances of the case, he, this morning laid an information . against the woman, under the Vagrant Act. The prisoner on beiug interrogated, admitted that she had been living at the place in question. Mr. Shallcrass said the woman had. no visible means of existence. She had formerly been the subject of charitable aid, which had been discontinued in consequence of the bad use she had made of it. She had since been staying in a room at the old depot, the* wall of which was broken in. The room was not fit for persons to live in. Prisoner : There is a hole in the side of the wall. Magistrate : I shall be obliged to treat you as a vagrant and a vagabond. It is your own fault, for you were the subject of charitable aid, which was taken from you through your own misconduct. It is time to put a stop to this, and you must play these games no more. Mr. Shallcrass : She has three children, the oldest boy is in the hospital, and she has - two small children with her. Magistrate : What is to be done with the children ? Mr. Shallcrass: The Government will take care of the children. Magistrate: It will be a charitable act to send the woman to gaol. Prisoner : If you will let me. off this time, I won't come here again. Magistrate: Its »q use you saying that.

You have made that projnise. several times. I shall send you to gaol for two months, you will recover your health there. Mr. Shallcrass : I have caused her to be supplied with warm water and soap, but she won't wash herself, and she is all alive now. Prisoner ; If you'll let me off this time I won't come again. Magistrate : To send you to gaol is the most charitable thing I can do. Exit the wretched object in custody of a policeman, who lost no time in handing her over to the gaol authorities. Sale of Crown Lands. — The Provincial Government announce a sale of allotments at the Crown Lands Office, Nelson, on the 7th May. The allotments are in the town of Buller, Pelorus Sound, and Bulwer Suburban. Rural lands — -junction of rivers Wangapeka and Motueka ; Greenwood's Valley, Motueka; Kaiteriteri, Wairoa, and Westport Suburban. : Accident at the Port. — A sad accident happened at the Port, to a young man, named Daniel Wright, who was engaged with another man in removing earth by contract, behind Mr. Akersten's wharf extension. It appears that a considerable portion of the hill had been undermined by them to facilitate its removal. About ten o'clock this morning one of the men had gone for the barrow, aud the unfortunate man was standing with his back towards the hill, when an immense quantity of earth, weighing, probably, nearly 100 tons, fell down, burying him completely, lie was speedily extricated, but was found to be severely injured; his left thigh' being badly fractured, and other severe injuries sustained. Medical attendance was at once procured, but we are sorry to say that he is as yet considered to be in a very critical ■state. Western Parish Church. — A meeting of the parishioners of this church, was held in the Bishop's school-room, last evening. The Rev. G. H. Johnston, in the chair. The business of the meeting was to elect churchwardens and. vestrymen for the present year. Mr. Lowe was elected churchwarden, and Mr. Elson, sidesman. The following gentlemen were chosen vestrymen : Messrs. Cusack, Symons, Watkins, Burnett, and Elson. Electoral District of Amuri, — The Gazette, states that Mr. George Rutherford, freeholder, has been duly elected a member of the Provincial Council, for the Electoral District of Amuri. The Rangitoto. — 'The purser of the s.s. Rangitoto, which arrived here this day, complained that he has had a flag flyiug for the police since 12 30, having a prisoner from Picton ou board in charge, and. at 2*30 he had not been relieved. Nelson Institute, Dissolving Views. — Those who arc fond of these beautiful scientific exhibitions, will have an opportunity to see them this evening at the Institution. To-morrow will be the last evening of "the Exhibition. Inspector of Sheep. — The Nelson Government inyite applications from person desirous of filling the office of Inspector of Sheep, for the Suburbs, Waimeas, Motueka, and Riwaka districts.