RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 126, 11 April 1862, Page 6

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday, Ariui. 10. (Before Alfred Chetham Strode, Esq., 11. M.) rnuxKßx:;Kss. Tho undermentioned parties worn summarily dealt with for this oilence:—James Stevens, Alexander Eastern, I'ati k-k M'Ewan, and John Lyncli, who wore severally fined 20s, or in default committed for 48 hours. DISOKHKHI.Y. John Lynch, just fined for intoxication, iva? now charged on the information of Constable Bobt. M;ilsne, with having- unlawfully assaulted him in the execution of his duty, and also wif.h having used abusive language in a public place in Dunedin. Tt appeared that tho man had only been released ironl, gaol on the previous day, after expiating v term 'of imprisonment for assaultin.u his wife in a most brutal manner. His "Worship remarked that the man seemed to be quite incorgible, and committed him to imprisonment for a term of one month, with hard labor. AfSWLT. James Farmer was charged on the information of Jessie Msseleod, with having on the evening of tlie 9th April, unlawfully assaulted her. The defendant pleaded not guilty. Proseeulrix stated on oath that sho kept a fruit shop opposite to Dr. Nelson's premises in Rattr.iy-street, and Ilia! about seven o'clock on the previous evening she was cleaning a mantis, when a knock panic at the door, and when she opened it the defendant enquired for a person named Ike. She told him that he was not there, upon which the defendant forced his way inside, mid seated himself down upon a box in her bedroom, demanding- some drink. Proseeutrix told him that she did not keep drink fot sale in her shop. Upon this defendant laid hold of a bottle containing sherry, exclaiming, "What right have you to keep drink in your house ?. lam v, detective." He then struck proseeutrix a blow over her left temple, saying. "I should very much like to sec the man who could put me out of tins." A witness, described as Mrs. Maihcws, was called to sustain the prosecution, and gave evidence in support of the foregoing statement. William Carr, for the defence side, deposed on oath, that he accompanied the defendant on the previous evening, and recollected going to the house occupied by Jessie Tiiaclcod. Defendant asked him to go with him there. Defendant knocked at the door while lit; remained outside. Upon the door being- opened, defendant enquired if a certain party were inside, and received fin answer in the negative. They, therefore, wen; in and sat down. Defendant thtn asked if they had anything in the house to drink, and the proseeutrix would not, let them have anything. A row ensued, in which a decanter was Hivowu at the defendant, which struck-hiia in the chest. After the bottle war, thrown, all conuuntd quiet. Defendant raised his hand to save himself from the decanter. Witness then went out.

Defendant expressed a wish to <;nil evidence as to the character of the proscculrix. His Worship said lie did not require, it. lie considered that a most unprovoked and unjuslifinble assault had been committed, and he should therefore iine the defendant in a penalty of i'll, and cofts, telling him that he had no business to be in the house at all.

Nuis\>-cr.s. —.The nuisance alleged Hg.iinst one Stevenson was now, by Mr. James Ximoii, reported to have been abated. In another case instituted against Margaret Swords, the nuisance was said to be not abated ; her son now occupied the place, which was in a most filthy condition. The Bench ordered due and formal notice to be served.

There were a few summons cases for the recovery of disputed claims, hut the particulars were utterly devoid of public interest.

At half-past eleven the Court rose.

Novkl Tuf.atmext op Kt^ptomaxia.—One day last week a laborer, called Johns, residing a sliort distance from Calling-ton, who had suffered from repeated attacks of kleptomania, and was about Christinas last subjected to a course of gaol treatment for the disorder, after several previous indications of a lapse, experienced an attack of the sn.mo malady. Kleptomania, it appears, is a disease of a very peculiar character, and at different, stages assumes different types. On the above-mentioned day Sir. John Thomas, his: master, being engaged in conversation with a friend in a. lime near the farm where John was employed, saw him approaching. His manner gave evident symptoms that ho was labouring under the disease, which caused Sir. Thomas come uneasiness, and on Johns com ing nearer, Mr* Thomas clearly saw that it had assume:] the stage which may bs called the anti-type. Johns stopped suddenly and looked over a gate, and Thomas thought lie saw a motion indicative of an effort by Johns to disencumber himself of something that tended to embarrass him. On Johns reaching the place where Tliomns was standing, the latter kindly relieved him from the incumbrance of some fruit and potatoes, which, during his paroxysm, he had inadvertently placed in his pockets ; and" on going to the .irate, the head of the garden rake and some other articles, carefully wrapped up and secured, were found. Mr. Thomas was sadly puzzled what to do. Finding gaol treatment ineffectual to eradicate the disease, and sympathizing with Johns' family. lie suggested the following pros.-ription, which Johns cheerfully agreed to take—namely, to stand at the door of Treiiiivin Chapel, immediately alter afternoon service on the 17th November, acknowledge his crime, and give away 03. worth of bread. The novelty of the prescription, raid the mode in which the nauseous draught was to be administered, attracted a large . congregation, and doubts were expressed whether Johns would attend. However, at the time appointed Johns appeared, havinpr two large clean white bags filled, or apparently filled, with bread, with which he sat near the door, inside the chapel. The service being concluded, the minister announced the self-imposed penance on a person for a crime _of giving bread nt the chapel floor. The congregation then began to leave tliP chapel, and Johns, amongst the first, with the two bags ; immediately he got outside the door, two boys, sons of his neighbors, tool; their places on each side of him. Johns then addreesed the persons who had come out of tiie chapel as follows :—" lam to give away ss. worth of bread for stealing five apples and three potatoes from Join: Thomas, and here is some for, and here is some foi you," at the same time handing the bags to the tw< boys, who walked oft" in the/lirection of Johns'house Almost immediately afterwards Mr. Thomas was ccci emerging from the chapel bearing a form, and said, "Here, Johns, stand upon this and give the breac away." Johns replied, "It is done already. I havi given" it away, and told them what it was given for and you can'do nothing with mo now ;'_' adding in ; signi'nennt tone, and with the evident satisfaction of.' man who had done some goodactiou. " Air. Thuuas. never told me how I wis to <five the Lrcsd away.' Mr. Thomas who had expected to hear Johns cxpres: contrition, wisely said nothing, but carried the fonr again into thfl chapel, with that calm resignati.ol which mark? the patient man. Johns afterwards, oi overtaking the boys, and probably impressed with tin notion that good eating requires good drinking kindly invited them to tea. — Western Mornhh Nett's.

Charging a Square.—l was at this crisis dismounted from my pony, and, in company with the principal medical-ameer of our division, perched of the top of .1 mound, watching proceedings, when we observed the enemy's cavalry charging in our direction. Great consternation took place among tlicCoolie corps. The coolies were all hastily huddled together in rear of the O7th and marines, who were at once ordered to form a square by Brigadier ltceves. The doctor, who was rather a corpulent man, sprang like a lark from the mound, let free the In-idle of his pony, which he held in his hand, and rushed frantically into the square formed by the marine?, shouting out to me to follow if I would save my life. Quite verdant in the usages of war, and seeing an old campaigner so alarmed, I naturally shared the contagion : Wit being loth to part so easily with my valuable steedj I dragged him by the bridle, and attempted to introduce myself arid beast into the square. The untamed Tp.lien-wan animal, however, objected to be forced against his will into a dense mass of armed men, mid the more I hauled the more ho struggled. By this time the enemy were fast approaching, and orders were given to fire. The cracks of the rifles drove my beast nearly distracted, and lie began to throw his heels about right and loft, to the complete disorder of our side of the square ; while some of the marines gave him a few friendly digs with their bayonets, preferring his room to his company. Seeing no help for it, I let loose the bridle, and off he scampered, neighing in great glee, accompanied by the doctor's pony, in the direction of the enemy, who, no doubt, secured the pair, and carried them off as trophies of their day's success to Tien-sin. The shots or the Tartars pitted about the ground, and some whizzed over our heads, but no one was hurt; whereas the firing on our side drew them up sharp before iliey became too near to be disagreeable to us, and after a. brief space of indecision they retreated. — Narrative of the North China Campaign of 1860. By Kobt Swinhoe. ..