RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4454, 29 June 1875, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Monday, Jcxe 28. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) DKUSKEXXESS. Patrick Sullivan was charged with having been drunk and disorderly the previous evening, and having assaulted the arresting constable by biting his finger. It appeared that defendant had taken a "drop too much" to drown grief occasioned by the death of his child. Mr. Crawford discharged defendant with a caution. Joseph Gurney was fined ss. for drunkenness; and Charles Mack and Peter Crowe, who had been found drunk and quarrelling in the streets, were fined £1 each. Augustus Yelverton, a frequent offender, charged with being drunk and disorderly, and having interrupted Divine service at the Odd Fellows' Hall, was sent to gaol for a month.^ A couple of Maoris, who had been fighting at the Hutt, wero charged with disorderly conduct, and fined 20s. each, with costs. John Roberts, an habitual drunkard, was fined 205., with costs, for having been drunk and incapable. THE STICKING-UP CASE. Frank Murray, a man about forty years of age, was placed in the dock charged with having on the night of 26th insfc. assaulted with intent to rob Henry Ashton. The prosecuting witness proved that he was proceeding along the Hutt road on horseback on the evening of 26th. When near Rooky Point his horse suddenly swerved, and on lookm<* on one side he saw two men grasping at the horse's head. Asked them " What do you want to interfere with me for." One then tried to grasp the horse again, andeaid " You are the we want." _ The other, whom he identified as prisoner, then struck at him with a stick, but witness observed the blow coming, and threw himself on one side, thus receiving the blow on the shoulder, which, had he failed to see it, would have caught him on the head. Being then a little in advance of the two men, he put spurs to his horse and galloped off. On arrival at the Hutt shortly afterwards, he gave information to the police. At the time of the occurrence had £72 18s. in his pocket,. Had stopped at ISTgahauranga on the way down, but did not dismount from his horse. George Stewart, constable, stationed at the Hutt, proved that Mr. Ashton had given information at the police-station, about half-past 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, in consequence of whioh. he proceeded to the spot, but gained no clue to the whereabouts of the men. On Sunday morning, at' half-past 9 o'clock, arrested : prisoner opposite the post-office at the Hutt, because he agreed with the description given by Mr. Ashton of one of the men. On being charged with having on the previous evening attempted to rob Mr. Ashton, prisoner said he had not attempted to rob him. He had tried to stop Mr. Ashton to get a match from him ; but the horse took fright and bolted away, and he (prisoner) did not see any more of him. Prisoner also said he had during the night slept in an empty house near Eocky Toint. "Witness believed prisoner to be a loafer. In reply to the usual question, prisoner repeated the statement he had made to the constable at the Hutt, to the effect that he had only asked Mr. Ashton for some matches. Mr. Crawford then committed prisoner to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, and the witnesses entered into recognizances to appear to give evidence. CIVIL CASES. A number of small debt claims were brought before his Worship, and in the following cases judgment for the amount sued for, together with costs, was given. J. Coleman v. J. Barber, £2 103.; H. F. Logan v. G. Hodden, £5 33. Bd.; same v. J. Manning, £1 9s. Bd.; same v. B. Ward, £l2 lis. 7d.; J. Smith v. W.