RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.
Monday, March 15. (Before J. O. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) ASSAULT. The police applied to his Worship for a remand till the following day in a case against William Broxall, who was charged with assaulting a man, whose name is unknown, on Saturday afternoon last. The application was granted. CROSS-ACTIONS FOR ASSAULT. George Thompson, a lad fourteen years old, charged Andrew' Craig, a milkman resident at Adelaide-road, with assaulting him with a supplejack on Thursday last. The lad stated that he was employed by the defendant to deliver milk, but the occupation not being to his liking he gave notice to leave. He left defendant’s employ on Saturbay week, having worked for him a fortnight. On the Thursday following he went to Craig’s house for his wages, which amounted to £l. Defendant deducted half the amount, on the plea that the boy had not finished the last week’s work by a few hours, but supplemented the 10s. (as the lad stated) by a “ good hiding.” Mrs. Thompson deposed to her son coming home with marks of a severe castigation on his back. One stripe had drawn blood. A witness named Martin examined the lad’s back after beating. To him it appeared as if the plaintiff had been thrashed with a knotty stick. George Thompson was then charged by Andrew Craig with beating and ill-using his son, a lad nine years of age. The only relevant evidence was that given by Craig’s son and another lad, which went to prove that on Saturday week last there was a squabble between the boys, which, however, resulted in no harm being sustained by the plaintiff. His Worship fined Craig £1 and costs, and Thompson ss. and costs, and informed Mr. Craig that he had no excuse for taking the law . into his own hand and “bottling up” his wrath from Saturday till Thursday. As it seemed likely that in the case of Thompson the fine would have to be paid by his parents, he had made it comparatively light. VAGRANCY. James Smith was charged with trespassing on private property on Sunday last, and with vagrancy. Inspector Atchison deposed as to the facts of the case. Dr. Johnston, Provincial Surgeon, characterised the prisoner as a most worthless vagabond. His wife, who was suffering from the effects of a paralytic fit, had been an inmate of the Provincial Hospital for the last ten mouths, and the prisoner had not contributed one halfpenny towards her maintenance. He was compelled to prevent the prisoner visiting the hospital, as on several occasions he had smuggled liquor into the institution. A short time since a daughter of the prisoner was left at the hospital gate, without food or a home, and she had to be cared for and lodged in the institution for ten days. On every occasion on which the prisoner was enquired for he was found to be in a drunken state, and the witness was inclined to the belief that it was but one continuous “drunk.” His Worship sentenced the prisoner to three calendar months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. CIVIL CASES. Egan v. Newson. —Claim £so,reduced to that amount to bring it within the jurisdiction of * the Court. Defendant did not appear. The action was for loss sustained by plaintiff through defendant neglecting to complete a contract entered into with him. His Worship remitted the case to the Wairarapa Court, although Mr. Allan, who appeared for plaintiff, explained that the cause of action arose in Wellington. Plaintiff withdrew the action, announcing his intention of taking the case into the Supreme Court. There were a few unimportant civil cases disposed of. Tuesday, March 16. ASSAULT. William Brock was charged, on remand, with assaulting a man named Eraser. The two had been employed on board the ketch Rambler, and prisoner being under the impression that Eraser had received moneys from their employer which belonged to both, and had not accounted to him for his share, he took advantage of an opportunity to “take it out of him.” This he did in a most ruffianly manner, striking Eraser with such violence as to knock Him down senseless. The assault took place at McDowell’s corner, the blow being considered So severe by some spectators that it was thought Eraser was killed. Accordingly Brock was detained until the arrival of a constable, when he was given in charge. Prosecutor had now recovered, and although the prisoner had undergone a period of imprisonment, his Worship felt himself compelled to mark his sense of the prisoner’s conduct hy fining him 405., the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment being offered. DRUNKENNESS, ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, AND ASSAULT. James Hall was charged with an offence of this nature, the circumstances of which were that on the previous evening he went into the Branch Hotel, and called for a glass of beer, for which he refused to pay. When remonstrated with, he used most abusive language, and assaulted the barman. In default of payment of a 40s. fine, the prisoner was sent to gaol for seven days. DRUNKENNESS AND INDECENCY. Edward Gregg, charged with this offence, was fined 20s. NOVEL METHOD OP RAISING THE WIND. W. Graham, a fellow of infinite cheek, was charged with obtaining money under false pretences, his modus operandi being present to credulous publicans a piece of dirty paper, on which was written, “ Please supply _Mr. Graham with anything he may require.” Upon this modest request, which was even unsigned, he was furnished in one hotel with goods to the amount of 165., and in several others he obtained consideration in kind upon the strength of this worthless document. The prisoner was remanded till next day. ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE. Wm. Bowen, alias Bees, a noted character about town, was charged with being absent without leave from the brigantine Osseo. Prisoner was too drunk to understand the charge. He was, therefore, remanded till to-morrow, then to be sent on board his ship.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4365, 17 March 1875, Page 3
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989RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4365, 17 March 1875, Page 3
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