RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 198, 5 January 1866, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

— o (Before H. M'Culloch, Esq., R.M.) Civil Cases. gibsox" t. -middleton. Claim for £2 10s., damages sustained through defendant's bullocks trespassing. The parties had agreed to refer the matter to arbitration, and the arbitrators had fixed £1 ss. as the amount of their award, which defendant had not paid. Judgment for plaintiff for £1 55., and costs, 7s.

A most atrocious outrage was yesterday attempted by a scoundrel who has unfortunately not yet been apprehended. A little girl of some eight or nine years of age, in passing through that portion of the Riverton road, knovm as the corderoy, or Waikivi bush cutting, was assailed by a fellow who, but for the opportune arrival of a horseman, might have accomplished his villinous purpose. The child on reaching home informed her parents, who reside on the Town Belt, of what had occurred, and no time was lost in placing the police in possession of the particulars together with the description of the offender. There is good reason to beheve he wih be speedily brought to justice. We regret to have to record a case of accidental death, wliich occurred to a settler named Eettes, through the upsetting of a bullock dray on Wednesday last. The Wakatip Mail of Dec. 30th, has the following : — At the reefs, and, in fact, at Skipper's, and on the Shotover generally, things are quiet, as ah work is suspended for the Christmas holidays. Another new reef has been discovered by Mr. Sorenson and party next the Prince of Wales claim. They have named it the Advance, and have applied for a lease. The machinery for the British and American and Southberg and party, are expected daily at the reefs. Mr. Brown's new hotel wih soon be completed. Several places are being built by the reefers to guard against winter. As I stated in my last letter, there was a general washing up last week among the miners, and a large parcel of gold found its way to Queenstown. Several miners are holding their gold for a highe 1 price, and only sell sufficient to meet their present wants. On Boxing Day the usual games were indulged in ; Aunt Sally coming in for a good share of merriment. At the Oriental Hotel (Jennings and Gladding's), Skipper's Point, things passed off very pleasantly. At Maori Point the miners assembled on Christmas Day at Mr. Goodwin's hotel, and partook of a dinner. The chair was taken by Mr. Spooner, and a pleasant even, ing was spent. Owing to some accident having occurred to the telegraphic wire between Christchurch and Dunedin we have been without our usual Northern telegrams for upwards of a fortnight. We are informed that some time must yet elapse before the necessary repairs will be completed, so as to put the line in working order.