RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 920, 28 March 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Department-, Wellington/' The Secretary to the U.jur.l rend the following reply, which Ik? Lad s--ut by the instructions of the Chi'.ir. :—"Otago Harbor Board Oiiice, Dr. Odin, March 19. To the Hon. the Minister of Customs.—Sir,—l have to acknowledge receipt of your favor enclosing copy of a letter from Captain Fairchild, informing you that when the Hinemoa was crossing the bar on the sth inst. she touched, drawing only 12ft 4in. In reply, lam directed to say that, as vessels of much greater draught of water than the Hineni'ia are constantly being taken ill and out of the port of Otago (both with and without- pilots) wiuiout touching v.lien crossing the bar, there is no special reason, apart from the guiding or steering of the vessel, why she should touch. The Board would respectfully suggest that the Government issue instructions to Capt. Fairchild to avail himself of the services of a pilot on his visits to this port, when it is confident that the Hinemoa, even under the most unfavorable circumstances, will be navigated in and out without touching. —I have, &c., J. L. Gillies, Secretary." ■ •

THIS DAY. (Eefore T. W. Paukki;, Esq., 11.11.) DItL'NK AND DISORDEP-XT. Henry Hamill was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly. ASSAULT AND KOBBEE.Y. John Madden was charged with having violently assaulted and robbed one Jolin Francis" Collins of L 9 5s and other propert}*, on the night of the 2ord inst. Inspector Thompson prosecuted. Prisoner was undefended, and admitted the assault, but pleaded " Not Guilty" to the robbery. John Francis Collins stated that he was a gardener and groom in the employ of Mr. Maude. He was crossing the piece of ground between the Commercial Hotel and Dien's boardinghouse between 11 and 12 o'clock oil Saturday night, when he met a man who asked him for some money. Witness paid no attention. The man followed him, and again asking him for money, began feeling his waistcoat pockets. Witness ran away, and the man followed. At the corner of Eden-street the man, whom he believed to be prisoner caught hold of him and he fell on his back. The man then put his knee on his chest, and said if he made a noise he would do something to him. The man's knee was nearly on his neck, and he could scarcely breathe. He searched his (witness') pockets. He found one L 5 note and four LI notes in his right side trousers pocket. The man searched all his pockets but one. He had some silver in one of his waistcoat pockets, also a pipe, a pair of studs, &c. On hearing the constable coming, the man ran away. He thought the man took his (witness') hat with him. It reply to prisoner, witness said he could not swear that it was prisoner who robbed him.

By the Court : I had not seen prisoner before. I did not lose a purse. I cannot money I lost. until Moo-

r.iciit a': jlaerewhentia, _and have to report that wo went all round the block and examined it thoroughly. v The southern and western portion is rather rough, and intersected by numerous gullies, but is fair pastoral land, with patches which might be brought into cultivation. The northern and eastern portion is very much better ground, a considerable portion being fit for agriculture. There is no made road to the land, but a road-line has been marked off from the Maerewlienua River road, or Livingstone road, to the south-west corner of the Block, and round the west boundary, joining on to a pretty good track that leads into the Otekaike Valley. We are of opinion that the Block would let to the best advantage in one lot, say for a period of seven years, and that thereafter it might be subdivided, and let to suit settlement.—l have, &c., D. A. M'Leod, Engineer. The foregoing approved of.

S. Gibus, Councillor. Councillor Gibbs also gave a brief account of liis visits to the land in company with Councillor Proctor and the Engineer. He said that the northern portion of the block was good agricultural land, equalling, he believed, in quality that of Ardgowan. Tlie southern portion was a little rough, but was still very good grazing land. Xf there were roads to it, it might be cut up into several good grazing farms, and as it was he thought there would be no difficulty it letting the whole block. It was about four or five miles from Livingstone. The proposed railway would run about mid-way between the south-east corner of the reserve and the township of Livingstone. The best way of reaching the land was from Duntroon. The Mayor thought that as they were aware that the Crown grant for the endowment was in course of preparation, the Council might fairly take the preliminary steps towards offering the land for lease. He believed a revenue of LSOO a year might be obtained from the endowment, and the Council should enter upon the receipt of that revenue as soon as possibleThey might, at any rate, draw up the heads of the lease. Councillor Gibbs said that, judging from conversations he had had with residents in the district, he had 110 doubt that a good rental might be obtained for the land, probably as much as 5s per acre. After some discussion as to the terms under which the land should be let, it was resolved, on the motion of Coun- ' cillor Humphrey, seconded by Councillor Familton, " That the Reserves Committee ■ be requested to bring up at the next

meeting a report embodying suggestions as to tke terms on which the Municipal endowment at Maerewhenua should be offered for lease."