MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2798, 13 March 1882, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU—THIS BAIT. (Before His Worship the Mayor and F. LeCren, Esq.) ASSAULTING POLICE, Alexander Waugh was charged with assaulting a peace officer in the execution of his duty. Mr Hamersley for tho accused; It was shown" by the evidence that one James Black, having had two or three glasses of beer, was endeavoring to obtain admittance to a house in North street in which there were females, who he said, had stopped him in the street to invite him, that a policeman in plain clothes arresting him, Waugh interfered and threatened the constable. Waugh, however, pleaded ignorance of its being a policeman, and that, being told by Constable Sullivan that it was one, he desisted. '* The Bench found the accused guilty and inflicted a fine of £5. DRUNKENNESS. James O’Meagher was charged with being drunk in the public streets. As the police had had nothing against him before, the Bench dismissed the accused with a caution. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. William Thomas Brown was charged with attempted suicide by means of strychnine. Mr Hamersley appeared for the accused. Constable Thoreau deposed s—At about twenty minutes to 12 on Saturday night I was aroused by accused’s wife who asked mo to come down to their house. I did so and found Brown in liquor. Ho and his wife were disputing. Brown went into another room, wo followed after a little and Brown then went out, Mrs Brown said „Brown" has taken a bottle of poison out of the cash box." I saw a bottle (produced) in his hand. I rushed on him to take tho bottle from him. Ho

got away. I followed him but could not catch him. Afterwards saw him near the back door, licking crystals from the palm of his hand. I laid hold of him. Accused said, “Now you can do your beat, I’ve managed it.” I then took him into the front room and sent for Doctor Hassall. Doctor Lovegrove came at one o’clock. To Mr Hamersley—Saw only a small quantity of crystals, similar to those in the bottle. Know Brown well. He is sober and well-conducted generally. Cannot account for his excitement on I Saturday night except that it was the effect of drink. Saw him lick his hand, but cannot positively swear to his swallowing any crystals. Dr Lovegrove deposed : Was called to see accused about one Sunday morning. Was told he bad taken poison; asked what it was. Saw him at once. He was very much excited. Was told in his presence, and he himself admitted, that he had taken poison. There were no symptoms of poisoning. Symptoms would have appeared before that time. If he actually took any it must have been a very small quantity. Examined, but did not analyse, the contents of the bottle. It appeared like strychnine. [The buttle was hero handed to the doctor, who tasted the contents with the tongue.] This is strychnine, I have no doubt. Had he licked off more than a very small quantity he would have shown signs before I reached him. Mr Hamersley addressed the Bench, urging them to bind the accused over or fine him. It was a case of excitement through drink, and he quoted Judge Johnston as to penalties being not so much for punishment of the accused ns for protection of society, and asked for the infliction of a fine, quoting, same authority as to alternative of summary conviction or commitment. Inspector Pender, as prosecutor, was willing to substitute for the charge One of drunk and disorderly. The Bench retired for consultation, and on their return agreed to substitute the lesser charge as requested. A fine of 5s and costs was inflicted. His Worship admonished the accused, and the Court rose.

TEMUKA—THIS DAY. (Before S. D. Barker and J. Mendelson ■ Esqrs.) ASSAULT. Beyington v. Bevington—the defendant did not appear and the case was adjourned for 14 days. CIVIL CASES. 0. Story v. W. W. Bands, claim £2 ,8s 6d. Judgment for plaintiff by default; . Mackay v. Wilson, claim £lB 14s for wages. Mr White for defendant. Judgment was entered for plaintiff with costs. : Brown v. R. Williams, claim £ll 5s sd. " Judgment for plaintiff by default.