RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 10, 30 November 1863, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Friday, 27th November. (Before M. Price, Esq., K.M.) Drunkenness. — Only one person was fined 5s for being drunk in the streets. Fuuious Riding. — Thomas M'Causline was charged with furious riding. It appeared that the defendant had, in Esk-street, been riding a hor3e in the most reckless manner, and when the constable attempted to stay his furious career, he struck at him with his whip. He was fined £5, and costs. — Another man, named James Gumming, was also charged with furiously riding his horse ia Dee-street, on the previous day. As it appeared the defendant had been less reckless in his equestrian feats than the former defendant, and was merely expending his exuberant .spirit — consequent on having taken too much of the alcoholic spirit — by galloping his horse down tlie street, the Bench miti-. gated the penalty to £2. The Dog Nuisance. — Five -poisons were fined 5s each, for not having their dogs registered. The Unruly Memher. — Charles Edward Price was summoned by Emily Thompson for ushig abusive language to her. Mr Harvey appeared for the defendant. The complainant stated that she was in bed on the night of Wednesday, when she heard the defendant, who was in his own house, making use of very bad language in reference to herself. .She rose from bed, and got a horse whip, and threatened if he came into the street, idie '-would horsewhip liim. A constable who was on duty in the street at the time, heard the defendant, who, he said, was partly in his doorway and partly in the street, using bad language to the complainant. A witness, called for the defence, endeavored to j show that the defendant, who l was in liquor, i was only having a general quarrel with his i neighbors. The Bench, referring to the defendant's frequent appearance before the Court, fined him in the full penalty of £5 and costs. Thk Man in Possesion. — Menzies v Eisher. From the evidence of the complainant it arppeared that he was "put in possession " of the defendant's tent at Kyal Bush, by the Bailiff of the Court, when after be had been in some time, the defendant eamo in and took him by theshouldeis and , shoved him out. Mr South (who appeared for the defendant) elicited from the complainant that when the defendent came in, and asked complainant what he wanted in his house, he would neither satisfy him nor would he show him any warrant or authority for taking possession of the house. In answer to the Bench the witness said the defendant — who had been told by his wife — informed him next day that the defendant was a bailiff. The Magistrate in giving his decision, said it must be assumed the defendant was well aware that the complainant was a bailiff, and he. was determined to protect the officers of the Court in the execution of their duty. Mr. South said there could be no assumption taken into consideration ; the Bench had •only to deal with the evidence, and by the complainant's own admission, lie never told the defendant who he was. nor showed any authority for -taking possession of his tent. He was therefore perfectly justified in ejecting him. The Magistrate replied thtt he had known the defendant for rive yeais, and he knew hiui to be just the man to resist the law in the manner he did. Mr South said there was no evidence of that before the Court at present. He wished the Bench would hear him in replying to the evidence. His Worship would not hoar hi.n. There ■was no reply, as Mr South knew by Jarvis's Act. He thought Mr South should support the law instead of defending such a man. Mr South knew nothing at" the man for five years, if his worship did. Heonlj-knew that the defendant had retained him to defend him, and it was his duty to do so. He believed it was the practice in defending a man on a criminal charge to allow the council to be heard in his defence. i His Worship — "Call the next case. The defendant is fined £5, and if he does not pay, be must go to prison. I deal with tbe case, knowing tiic man.''' A few small debts cases were adjudicated on, and the Court was adjourned.

A certain Scotch friend of ours, who is not a member of the Temperance Society, being asked by a dealer to purchase some fine old Jamaica rum, drily answered, ''To tell you the truth, sir, I canna say I'm vena fond o' rura ; for if I tak mair than sax tumblers, it's very apt to gie a body the headache." All-Right. — A lady at sea, full of apprehension, in a gale of wind cried out among other exclamations, " We shall go to the bottom, mercy on us, how my head swims !'' " Madam, never fear," said one of the sailors, " you'll never go to the bottom while your head swiujs."