RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 43, 8 September 1864, Page 3

RESIDENT MA GISTRATE'S COURT.

Tuesday, 6th September, 1864. (Before H. M'Culloch, Esq., E.M.) A Disobderly House. — On the information of Detective Thompson, James Cochrane, a person of the most sinister appearance, and with a face of many hues, appeared to answer the charge of keeping a house which was frequented by persons having no visible lawful means of support — in other words — of keeping a house of ill fame. Sergeant O'Keefe and Detective Thompson deposed to the disgraceful scenes enacted in the house, and Constable D'Arcy further deposed to accused's having kept the place for the past six months in Dee-street, and that he had previously known him in Tokomaiririro, where he had kept a house of a similar character. The evidence* was entirely unfit for our columns. The Magistrate found the charge fully proven, and remarked that he had never seen a worse case. The language said to be used was the filthiest and most abominable which any man could listen to, and from what appeared, itwas most evident that Cochrane was living on the prostitution of his own wife anJ. daughters. He imposed a penalty of three months' imprisonment, with hard labor. Breach of the Peace. — Robert M'Allister, for a breach of the peace, at the house of Cochrane, in Dee-street, was lined 40s., v or in default, 7 days' imprisonment. The magistrate hoped the penalty inflicted might prove a caution to him not to frequent such places for the future. Criminal Assault. — James Ainslie was oharged with this offence on the person of a female named Eleanor Dobaon, in Esk-strect, on the afternoon of Monday last. After the evidence was taken down, the magistrate considered the case not one whirh warranted him in sending it before a jury, and accordingly dismissed the charge. The woman was evidently a consenting party, and the evidence, which was almost wholly unfit for publication, went 10 clearly prove this. Her own version of the story, too, as given in her examination-in-chief, was most materially changed on cross-examination. There being no civil cases on for hearing, the Court then rose. 7th September, 186-1. Drune and Disorderly. — Daniel M'Callum, for this offence, in Dee-street, on the 6th instant, was fined sa. Breach of Footpath Ordinance. — William Birchell, for leading a horse on the footpath, in Dee-street, on the 3rd instant, was fined 205., with costs. Civil Case 3. macdonald v. cummi^g-. Claim for £10 2a. 3d. for school fees. There was a sett-off to the extent of £1 7s. No defence. Judgment for plaintiff for £8 15s. 3d , with costs. BUTTNER V. o'BRIEIT. Claim for £3 13s. 4d. No defence. Verdict for amount, with 7s. costs. ZEE V. GARRICB. Claim for £17 10s. on a I. O. TT., and for board, &c No defence. Verdict for amount, with 15s. costs. The Court then rose.