RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 31, 7 February 1870, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

[Before J. Sharp, Esq., R.M.] Saturday, February 5. W. Lloyd, R. Grant, P. Hawkins, J. Aldridge. and J. Stockwell, charged with allowing their horses to stray on the roads were fined in the usual penalty and costs With regard to the last-named offender the Magistrate remarked that on a similar charge being brought against him again, he should inflict the full penalty allowed by law, as he appeared to be in the habit of turning his horses out to graze. Martin Christian, for neglecting to keep his chimney clean, was fiued 10s. and f costs. William Hargreaves, driver of " Our

Bus," was charged with a breach of the Board of Works regulations in allowing his vehicle to stop in a place not appointed by the Board of Works as a hackney carriage stand. Mr. Fisher appeared for the complaiuau fcaud Mr. Kingdon for the defendant. As no evidence was produced by the complainant to show that he was authorised by the Board of Works to lay the information, his Worship stated that he must dismiss the case, as by the 17th section of the Nelson Improvement Ameudmenfc Act it was provided that "all penalties for breach or non-performance of by-laws and regulations may be recovered iD a summary way before any Justice of the Peace upon complaint of any member of the said Board or any person whom they may appoiut." Case dismissed with costs. Margaret Fitzsimmons was charged by Bridget Flynn with an assault. The complainant's case was that defendant on. meeting her at a friend's house invited her to drink, and that on her refusing for the third time, she (defendant) struck her on the face with a jug, blackening her eyes and smashing the weapon. The defence was that com.plaiuant struck the first blow, upon which defendant started back and in so doing struck a jug which she had in her hand against " the boards " when a piece of it flew out and came in contact with complainant's face, thus causing the marks which were visible to the Court. This statement being uncorroborated by evideuce, his Worship declined to accept it as the true state of the case and fined defendant ss. and costs.