LOCAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 65, 19 May 1866, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, This Day. [Before J. Poytnteb, Esq., 11. M.] Hooper, Dodson, and Aitken v. Augarde. — Claim, Ul 15s. This case had been adjourned to allow both parties to furnish proof, respecting the delivery of a cask of beer, on Feb. 6, 1863, the value of which was 3l 10s., and of which defendant disputed the delivery. The Court was occupied a considerable time this niornipg in listening to the very conflicting evidence that was brought before it. The defendant brought Messrs. Wilkinson and Cole to prove that he never had the beer; and the books of the plaintiffs were produced in proof of the delivery of the particular cask which the defendant denied ever having received. The Magistrate, after a careful hearing of the case, gave judgment for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. A CURIOUS QUARREL. Michael Hodgins v. Edmund F. Campbell. An information was laid, in this case, in the name of the complainant, against the defendant, for threatening on the lCth instant to shoot him, and do him some greivous bodily harm, and requesting that the defendant be bound over to keep the peace. Mr. C. Pitt appeared for the defendant, and said he would be able to show that the summons was taken out for a malicious purpose, and he would call evidence to prove this. By permission of the Court he would prove this from defendant's mouth. Mr. Adams, on being referred to by the Bench, said the affair had originated in the defendant's holding possession of a house under the Native Trust. He received notice to leave, and refused to do so. He was therefore unlawfully in possession. The Magistrate: Has he given up possession now? Mr. Adims: He has. Mr. Pitt: The defendant had possession at the time the threat was alleged to be used. The threat arose out of the trespass. Mr. Adams: I don't know. It appears that tlie defendiint was a trespasser. The Magistrate: This Court can't go into tin* question of a title to land. Mr. Pitt was prepared to show that there was no ground for the information. It was laid down by Mr. Justice Johnston that, if the application be grounded only on a past trespass, beating, a breach of the peace, without proof of reasonable ground of fear for the future, or if the threat was merely contingent or conditional upon the applicant doing something which he had no right to do, the justices ought not to- make the party complained against find sureties. The Magistrate : I take the same view. If the threat was used subsequently to the house being given up we can go on with the case. Mr. Adams : It appears to be a doubtful case. Mr. Pitt : I think if your worship will ask the complainant one question it will settle the matter. Is he in fear of grevious bodily harm from the defendant ? Complainant then in answer to the question put by Mr. Pitt, replied as follows : I was employed by Mr. Wilkins, to go and see what defendant was doing at the house. .He was taking things off the premises. I said to him, Good morning. He said the same, and what are you up to ? I said, looking after you. (Laughter.) He then said, tell Wilkins I will shoot him. I laughed at him. I was not, in the least afraid, he was going to do me bodily harm, having been on terms of friendship with him, for more than two years (laughter). Mr. Wilkins took up the case and instructed me -to take out an information. I have been at no costs. lam not afraid of him ; its not likely, as I have been friendly with him for the the last two years (laughter). Mr. Pitt: There is no case, your Worship sees. The Magistrate: Have you anything to say, Mr. Adams ? Mr. Adams: 1 have nothing to say. The Magistrate: Then I dismiss the case. " Hodgins, you have 6s. Gd. to pay," was the last remark our reporter heard. The second lecture on " John Wesley, the eminent Revivalist," will be delivered, iu the Union Chapel, Hardy-street, to-morrow evening. The English: Mail. — Tho telegram state*, that the mail was brought to the Bluff by the South Australian s., which left Melbourne on the 12th instant. As is not mentioned when the mail steamer from.Galle arrived in Ilobsou's Bay, we are under the impression that this is an error, and that the South Australian left Melbourne when the telegraphic intelligence was received there ; the Otago waitiug for the mail to arrive, and which she will bring with her. — If this is correct, the Nelson mails would not be iu Sydney until the 16th, and therefore the Tararua will probably not arrive here until tomori'ow evening.