RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 66, 23 June 1863, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT-

(Before M. Price, Esq., R. M.) j Friday, 19th June. Civil Cases. Stirling v. Nicol— Settled out of Court. Lamont v. Wale& Co.,— Action for breach of contract in failing to supply 5,000 bricks, which defendant contracted for with plaintiff. Case remanded. Saturday, 20th June. Inv.briate.- -John Whiteside, for being drunk in Tay-street, was fined 20s. THE BLACK DOCTOR IN TROUBLE. Antonio Williams, better known as the " Black Doctor," was charged with sending a threatening letter to Messrs. M'Donald and Russell, solicitors. The letter, which was put into Court, is written on a half sheet of note paper, with the address "M'Donald and Russell, and Mr. Win. Russell, Esq ," on the other side. The penmanship is almost illegible, but it could be made oui that the writer threatened to shoot prosecutors, if they disturbed him in the possession of his property. A rudelysketched dagger is at the head of the page, and it is signed "Antonio Williams, the Black Doctor.'' Mr. South appeared on behalf of the prisoner, and Mr. Harvey for the prosecutors. In reply to a question from the Bench, the prisoner said his name was Richard Williams. He pleaded Not Guilty. William Russell, solicitor, on being sworn, deposed : I received the document handed to me on the 1 8th of this month. It was brought to our office by the cleik, who got it in the Post Office. I know the prisoner. He goes by the name of Dr. Williams, or the Black Doctor. Mr. South objected to the line of examination. They had only to meet the charge of sending a threatening letter, and had nothing to do with collateral circumstances. Mr. Harvey submit! el it was open to him to prove collateral circumstances. The Bench held he would have to prove that the letter was sent by the prisoner. Examination continued : In consequence of instructions from Mr. Thompson, proprietor of the ground on which prisoner resides, he -was communicated with. I saw him in Deestreet, and referred to him being on land for which we were agents, said that he must clear out as soon as he could. He became enraged, and threatened to knock my brains out if I came near the ground. Mr. South again objected. Mr. Russell did not take any steps about thit at the time, consequently they had nothing more to do with now than the letter. After some discussion between the Court and counsel, it was ruled the questions might he put, but Mr. Harvey was requested b to be as brief as possible. Examination continued — He threatened me in a defiant manner. Said that he would not go out. He had his title deeds, and more to that effect. Mr. Harvey : From all circumstances, who do a ou think sent the letter ? Mr. South objected. The Bench : I must stop you there. He might say I sent it. Examination continued : The Post mark ou th .- letter is June 17, and I received it on the 18th. The conversation referred to took place on the 16th or 17th. Cross-examined by Mr. South : I spoke first to prisoner. "Good morning, Williams," I said. He replied, " Good morning," then fixed his eyes on me, and kept them fixed for some time. I did not then inform him I was Mr. Thompson's agent, because I had already done so. I believe the subject was introduced this way. 1 said we have no objections to you remaining in the house, till you can get another, provided you don't interfere with the builders on this end of the ground. He said he was ready to show his title to the property, adding, if he chose. He has been living on this place since April twelve months. Mr Harvey objected to this cross examination, and was sustained by the Court. Examination resumed : The accused did show violence. The Bench : Did you not object to similar questions yourself, Mr South? Mr South : Only as to resistance. Examination continued : Prisoner raised his stick iv the air, and made some motion as he spoke to me. I knew bim by sight. He is not in the habit of flourishing his stiok at such an elevation. I never saw him write, and know nothing of his handwriting. I did. uot know his christian name. I have every reason to believe he wrote the letter in question. He never said any thing about the letter, but he has threatened before. Beyond what I have stated, I cannot connect accused with the letter. Alfred Matthews, cleric to Macdonald and Russell, deposed to finding the letter in the box of the firm at the post office, on the 18th. John Honey-will, clerk in the post office, received and stamped the letter on the 17th. Found it in the receiving box. Thomas M. M'Donald, of M'Donald and Russell, deposed: I know the prisoner by the name of Williams, the Black Doctor, and Doctor Williams. I have had two or three conversations with him regarding the piece of land on which he is at present residing. I addressed . hira one morning in the street —I think last Saturday. I said "Mr Williams, I have been wishing to speak to you lately." He said, " Well ! *in a very abrupt and excitable manner. I said Mr Russell aud I had bee 3at his place, in referance to a piece of land on which he was residing — that as it was the property of a gentleman residing Jn Dunedin — when prisoner interrupted in a hasty and abrupt manner, by saying" Yes; it is the property of a gentleman ; it is my property." I replied I did not wish to say he was not a gentleman, but the person who owned the property was desirous of leasing it, or words to that effect. He then dared any one to come near it. His attitude was threatening at the time, and I kept back from him, being afraid he would do some violence. After removing further from him 1 said, " perhaps you will have no objection to let us inspect your deeeds, and if onvenieut, come to our ofiice. '* He repeated

he had title deeds, and asked if he came to the' office if s we would pay' him', for ity'i pointed out that it was a matter affecting himself, but if he objected coming to the office we would see him any where else he chose to show them. Appearing nol anxioua to converse anj longer,, he moved off and we separated. ~ Cross-examined by Mr South : I have known the prisoner personally. He used to greet me as we passed. He was ou " the land when I came here about sixteen ot ! seventeen months ago. I know there, U j something more than eccentricity withtAjif 1 He can be very polite when he likes. Bj|r £■ j not been otherwise to me except on this occa. i sion. I cannot swear to his hand writinw su ! I never saw him write. The name whicl/he I gives, and the subject matter of this letter leads me to believe that he either wrote or i sent it. Mr South stated he was prepared to prove j that prisoner had never written a line in hi» life ; that in all business transactions he signed with a mark. Mr Harvey applied for a remand, in ordei j to procure a witness who was at the WaW ! tip, who would prove that the prisoner couls| write. Mr South opposed the application on theground that there was not a tittle of evidence to show that the accused had sent the letter. His "Worship thought there was sufficient to warrant a remand for eight days. He would, however, take bail, the prisoner in £50, and two sureties in £25 each. Theft and Embezzlement. — William. Isnor, brought up on remand on these charges, was again remanded for the production of further evidence.