RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5290, 9 March 1878, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, March 8, (Before J. C. Cawford, E-q., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS AND VAGRANCY. An old offender named Sarah James pleaded guilty to a charge of having been drunk and incapable on the previous evening. She had been found in a helpless state behind a building in course of erection in Taranaki-place, and was fined 20a., or in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. Another well-known offender named Hannah Mendoza was brought up on a charge of vagrancy. She had been arrested by Sergt. Smith in the neighborhood of Courtenay - place, in a 'semi-drunken state, with a lot of low characters around her. Sue had not been long out of gaol, and was again committed for one month, with hard labor. KEEPING A DISORDERLY HOUSE. An elderly man named John Harrison was brought up on a charge of keeping a disorderly house, situated in Mnlgrave-street. The prisoner had only been arrested late on the previous night, and the police not being quite ready to proceed with the case he was remanded. The prisoner was afterwards brought up later in the day on the amended charge of having no lawful visible means of support. John Griffiths,anengiae-driver, whooooupied the house next door to where the prisoner lived, deposed that he never saw him do any work, although he was a capital tradesman as a carpenter. Women, two or three at a time, were frequently about the house at night, drinking with men and making a disturbance. The women were of low character, and the prisoner lived off their prostitution. There were only two rooms in the house, which was a great annoyance to the whole neighborhood. Another resident in the locality, named Richard Dennis, gave corroborative evidence. Inspector Atcheson stated that he had known the prisoner for some years, and had never seen him do any work. Repeated complaints had been made about the house, which was the continual resort of men and women of evil repute. The prisoner was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. ASSAULT. A tall able-bodied man—a fireman on board the Wakatipu—was charged with having assaulted Charles CnH.stoek, barman at the Post Office Hotel, Grey-street. The prisoner did not pretend' to deny the charge, his only attempt at extenuation being that the prosecutor had interfered with his mate. The prosecutor, who 'had received a frightful blow on the mouth, by which several of his teeth had been knocked out, stated that shortly before twelve o’clock he was about closing up the bar, when he requested the prisoner and others to leave, and immediately upon this the prisoner turned round, and telling him to mind his own business, delivered the blow on his face without the slightest warning. Two of his teeth were knocked out, and his face severely out as well: in fact, he had been quite ill since through the effects of the blow. His Worship stated that it was a most cowardly assault, and deserved severe punishment; but as nothing was previously known against the prisoner he would give him a chance. The prisoner was then fined £S and costs; or in default one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor. A SPURIOUS COUNT.

Robert Jacobsen, alias E. H. Mouravieff, was charged on an information with having on the 4th instant, at Pahautanni, obtained, by means of a valueless cheque, from Thomas Robinson, an opera glass, a watch and chain, a saddle, bridle, and horse-cloth, a pair of spurs, a waterproof coat, a pair of leggings, two pairs of socks, and a woollen shirt. Inspector Atcheson stated that the prisoner had just arrived from Otaki, and as the police were not ready to proceed with the case a remand was required until Monday. _ There were likewise several other charges against the The prisoner was accordingly remanded until Monday. Civil Oases.

In the following civil cases before the Court judgments.were given for the amounts claimed, with; costs:—Rankin v. Cromwell, £3 13a.; and Dawson v. Gilbert, £27 9s. 7d.