RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4380, 3 April 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, April 2. (Before J. 0. Crawford, Esq., E.M.) THE MALINGERING CASE. George Goold. alias James Eyan, was charged on remand with refusing duty on hoard the barque Camille. _j Captain Williams, and the chief-officer, gave evidence to the fact that the prisoner refused duty by point blank declining to repair some ratlins when told to do so by the latter officer. Upon being given into custody he complained of being very ill, and upon these representations was sent to the Provincial Hospital. Dr. Johnston stated that when the prisoner was brought to the hospital his clothes were wet, as if he had got a drenching in a boat. He complained of pains in his back, but upon ■ examining him he could find no specific cause for the alleged severe pains; in fact, there seemed to be nothing the matter with him, and he was at once sent to work about the hospital. Prisoner said he was not fit to go to sea, which probably was correct, for he was a “ broken-down” man. His constitution was undermined, and he was wealdy, and witness asked him why, under these circumstances, he went to sea. He said, “ Well you know, one must live !” That settled witness’s opinion as to his sickness.

Prisoner made a “ spirited ” defence, and made a strong point of his being called Gaild or Goold, when his name was “not no so such thing.” He had so far stuck manfully to his. work that he was sometimes bent double with pains in his back, and he never gave in until he got to port. His Worship said the conduct of the prisoner was culpable in undertaking to do duty he was incapable of performing. He would be committed for four weeks. THREATENING AND ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. Michael Murphy, a violent character, who was before the Court on Monday last, was again charged with being drunk, and usin" threatening language toward Mr. S. S. Downes of the Pier Hotel. The prisoner had molested Mr. Downes all day, and persistently refused to go away, although put out of the hotel several times. The prisoner being too drunk to plead was remanded for a week. ASSAULTING A CONSTABLE, Michael Murphy, the same prisoner was then charged with committing a violent assault upon Sergeant Price. It seemed that durinoone of the intervals when he consented to leave the Pier Hotel, the prisoner indulged in some very disorderly conduct in the neighborhood, to the annoyance of passers-by. When Sergeant Price took him into custody he became very violent, and during a strmwle lucked the sergeant in the eye, inflicting 5 a serious wound. Eventually he was got to the lock-up, and charged with the assault. On this charge also he was remanded for a week. CIVIL CASES. Mills v. Austin.—Claim, £2B 2s. 9d. The case was adjourned till Monday. Moir v. Jeffrey.—Claim, £5, for injury to a horse hired to defendant, who broke its knees through careless driving. Judgment for amount and costs. Lusty v. PortellL—Claim, £3, for sundrv knives and forks, shells, and coral lent to de fendant. After hearing evidence, judmnenf for 3s„ each party to pay Iffi, o wn