RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4969, 24 February 1877, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, February 23. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq,, R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Three persons were charged as above, and were treated after their deserts. One was a new arrival from the old country, and the other two were residents of rural districts, who made the usual excuse for their conduct, namely, that they had taken a glass, and not being accustomed to it were consequently overcome. ‘ THE DOG CASES. Thomas Taylor was charged with having an unregistered dog on the 14th inst. Defendant said he had no dog of his own, and that the dog referred to belonged to his son. Constable Shields said he had seen the dog on defendant’s premises, and finding tha.t it was unregistered, laid an information. He believed the dog was registered on the evening of the day on which the information was laid. Defendant said it was his son’s dog, but he would take the responsibility. His Worship inflicted a nominal fine of Is., and costs. There .were in all about forty cases heard, but the general excuse was that the dogs had been registered immediately after the policeman had called, and in one or two instances the defendants pleaded ignorance of the law.. A number were withdrawn, and in many instances where there was evidence of some neglect, a fine of Is., and costs, was imposed ; whilst those who when called upon did not apswer, were fined'ss., and costs. THREATENING LANGUAGE.

A man named Holmes was charged with using threatening language towards another named Dowling, the objectionable language, consisting in a threat about making the complainant swallow an American axe. Evidence was heard on both sides, and the position seemed to be that the blame was equally divided. His Worship took this view of the matter, and accordingly dismissed the case.

PROTECTION ORDER. Margaret Farrelly applied for a protection order against her husband, to whom she had been married twenty-eight years,- and he had been idle and given to drinking (alcoholic) during the whole of that time, becoming worse of late. The case was adjourned till Monday, in order that defendant might procure the attendance of two witnesses. ASSAULT. P. McCafferty was charged with assaulting Sarah Russell. He stated that prosecutrix spat in his face, and tried to give him a clout with a bottle. He was fined 205., and costs, STOWAWAY JONES. James Jones, who was brought up on a previous occasion for. stowing himself away on board the s.s Kennedy from Nelson to Wellington, and obtained an adjournment of the case in order that he might [procure from his friends sufficient money to pay for his passage, again made his appearance yesterday. He was fined ss. and costs, and ordered to pay 30s. for his passage, or in default to be imprisoned for 48 hours. CIVIL CASES. In the following cases judgments were given for amounts claimed and costs;—Watson v. Frith ; claim, £6 14s. fid. Harris v. Russell; claim, £3B Is. 3d. Griffiths v. Moody; claim, £35 3s, lOd. Strachan v. Brile ; claim, £2 Bs.