RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4361, 12 March 1875, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thdbsday, Mauch 11. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., It.M.) ASSAULT. J. A. Thomson, an eccentric individual who has been before the Court on various charges during the past two years, was charged with assaulting Gladman Smith in the Karori Hotel, _ Tinakori-road. Tho evidence of the prosecu-' tor showed.that the defendant made some very offensive remarks towards him and his brother, alleging as a reason that prosecutor had assaulted him some years ago. In defendant's own language, " the remote cause of the unfortunate affair arose out of a business appointment made between the two some years back, but which the prosecutor failed to keep. When he did appear, half-an-hour after the appointed hour, defendant seized him round the waist and indulged in a friendly waltz, in which proceeding the prosecutor did not acquiesce, and his coat getting torn, he gave defendant two black eyes. Naturally he expected to receive an apology for such conduct on tho part of the prosecutor ; but judge of his surprise when prosecutor demanded £1 for the damage

to his coat. Then prosecutor added insult to injury by demanding £2, which the defendant paid to avoid an appearance at court; but he secretly determined to have satisfaction some day, and he had it by striking Smith when he met him in the Karori Hotel.

His Worship said that but for the desire of the prosecutor that the defendant should not be severely dealt with, he should have imposed a heavy 'fine. The case evidently was one arising out of over-indulgence in drink, and he should order the defendant to enter into his recognisances to keep the peace for three months, himself iu the sum of £2O and two sureties in the same amount. CIVIL CASES. Thomson v. Young.—This case—a charge for tolls—which had been adjourned, again came on, when it was admitted by the parties respectively (1), that the amount claimed was due ; (2) that no specific demand was daily made for tolls ; and (3) that there was a contract between Mr. Young and the Government for the conveyance of mails, these being the grounds of an appeal to be submitted to the Supreme Court. Subject to this appeal, judgment was given for amount claimed and costs. Sherrin v. Corbett. —Claim, £l3, the value of a sewing machine alleged to be illegally detained by the defendant. It transpired in evidence that the plaintiff and her husband, Mr. R. A. Sherrin (regarding whom anxious inquiries have been made of late) owed defendant a considerable snm for board and lodging, in part payment for which the machine was to be taken and raffled. Either the machine or the proceeds from its sale would belong to defendant, and plaintiff was therefore nonsuited. Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for the defendant. ' Fourteen, other cases were settled out of court.