MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2273, 30 June 1880, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMAEU—THIS DAY. [Before R. Bectham, Esq., R.M.] DRUNK EX NESS. An inebriate of very forlorn and seedy appearance, was fined ss, with the usual alternative. THE CANDLE AND THE WELL. Win. Rygato, a lad of about 12 years of age, was charged on the information of George Ellis, with assaulting him on •June 24 last. George Ellis, an elderly man,wearing a sear on his forehead,stated that on the above day he was about to descend into the Church street well, when the boy llygatc came up with newspapers and asked him to buy one. Witness purchased a paper of him, and asked him if he would mind stopping at the mouth of the well for live minutes and sec that nobody throw anything down while lie was at the bottom. The boy consented, and witness went but Ids light going out he called out to Rygato to look in a bag' ho would find lying on the ground for a piece ol candle, which he was to throw down the well. The next minute something struck witness a sharp blow on the forehead which left the scar now visible, and glancing on to his wrist it took a piece

of it, completely paralysing bis arm, and causing him much pain. The candle was fastened into a small round piece ol: iron, hut witness was quite sure he did not tell the hoy to throw down the iron as well as the candle. On ascending witness remonstrated with the boy, but he simply put his linger to his nose and ran away laughing.

The complainant called two other boys who stated that they saw the caudle and the, iron thrown down by Rygatc.

The accused staled that when be was asked to throw down the candle he was undecided whether ho ought to throw down the iron in which it was fastened as well or not, and he asked a young man standing by who told him to throw down both, which he accordingly did. His Worship—And what happened then ?

Accused —I hoard him swearing at the bottom of the well. (Laughter.) His Worship, while reprimanding the hoy for his carelessness, remarked that he did not think he had acted maliciously. No doubt the accused’s placing his linger to his nose was very aggravating to the complainant but ‘hoys would be hovs.”

Complainant —Bui this throwing oi. things down wells when people arc at work at the bottom, is getting very common, ami I may ho a dead man next week, perhaps, in consequence. His Worship remarked that it would be as well that some person who could be trusted should be stationed at the mouth of a well before anyone went down. The present case would be dismissed, as he did not consider the bo} r had acted with any malicious intention.

Complainant (excitedly)—“ Very well, sir ; if this sort of thing is not put a stop to, you will, perhaps, rcJlccfc a little, when you arc sitting as Coroner upon my corpse !”

Jlis Worship—“ I hope so, hut I trust it will not be necessary.” The parties then left the Court.

SECOND EDITION