Monday, November 17 th.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 18 November 1862, Page 2

Monday, November 17 th.

John M'Kie Drummond, was brought up on remand, chaiged with committing an indecent assault on two little girls, Mary Jane and Amie Robinson, aged respectively, five and four years. Mr. Ilervoy appeared for the prisoner. Mrs. Robinson deposed — I am the -wife of Alfred Robinson, laborer, Invercargill. On Saturday fortnight (Nov. 1), I was coming up the track near my house, and met my little girl. She complained of the conduct of prisoner. I saw prisoner about 50 yaids off, crawling on his hands and knees. My children sai 1 the man had given them money. I went and asked him what he had done so for. He answered to keep them away.^ Prisoner appeared to be under the influence of liq'uoi^ By the Court — The eldest child was crying — she appeared frightened. The witness then described more particularly what the children had told her of the conduct of prisoner. Mary Jane Robinson was questioned i>y his Worship as to her knowledge of the nature of an oath, and having given sitisfictory answers, was sworn, and then described very clearly the conduct of the prisoner — stating at the same time that he gave b/th her and her sister money (3d. to the elder and Id. to the youngei.) The particular; of her evidence are totally unfit for publiiation. His Worship then questioned the younger sister,a pretty little child abou/4 years of age, to ascertain "whether her evjlence could be taken. She, however, appearci not to understand him, and, accordingly* was not sworn. Mrs. Robinson recalled, sated,— l met Mr. Gillershortlyafter my childen had related the circumstance to me, and a£ed him where I could get a policeman. I fint my elde9t girl for one. / H. A. Giller deposed to meeting Mrs. Bobinson on the evening of the Ist of November. She wanted a/policeman, and said there was a man in the .flax near her house, who had offered her liitfe girls money. She appeared much agitateJohn Hart, constable, deposed that he apprehended the pris>ner at 6 p.m., on same day. Prisoner was Aalf drunk. He denied the charge. Prisoner, who-jfserved his defei£e, was fully committed to take his trial at tie next Supreme Court .Sessions in Dunedn. His Worship made a/very just observatio^ on the great inconvenience of Mrs. Ilobinfbn antL her two children having to go so farjtO forward the ends of justice.

„[ * * CIVIL CASES. • .f % ~ debater y; Macgeorgel— This vasal fcion'iorLlC damages sustained by plair in ctasequence of «on-d£ivery of goods pi chaae'4 from defendant. fMr. JVl'Bonald j peareit for plain tiff aig w >ftr Hervey defendant. Verdict forfriaintiff w^ \ costs. \ \ Calcer, Blacklock & Q. v. Barker.—! 1 ; was abaction brought tfiecover L2O dan ges sail to have been do 5 to 45 v bagsof floi part of the cargo of the jjince Albert. MrJHervey appeare|)r the defenda and to»k a preliiainarwjection, that t wrong bar|y was sued, b Captain shou have b«en sued. Mr. Cier stated that t Captaii had nothing to with the accou n of the! ihip; He had,ne, <!ollected frei^li His Worship said he ceibly considered°tl Captaiif^was the agent <Mie ship s 0 long j he remiined oh her rgter. After iSmi further cetnarks, the cai kas remap<^d til this tnotning. J y JTennity v. Hogan.— Jfpaear^nce.