RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Issue 1652, 22 October 1872, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

♦ (Before H. M'Culloch, Esq., R.M.) Monday, 21st Octobeb. James Kennish was charged by John M'Carthy with using obscene and indecent language in Deestreet, on the 4th inst. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The charge was established by the evidence of the complainant. His Worship said that the character of the defendant was so bad, and he had been so repeatedly brought up on similar charges, that although there was only one witness he felt satisfied of the truth of the complaint. Fined £"5, or 14 days' imprisonment. John Pay was charged by the Inspector of Nuisances with allowing two horses to wander •within the limits of tbe town. Fined 5s for each horse, and 5s 6d costs. The following similar charges were also disposed of: — Corneliut O'Hara, allowing one cow to wander within the town. Fined 5s and 5s 6d costs. Andrew Mitchell, allowing one horse to stray in the town. Fined 5s and 5s 6d costs. John Pope, keeping one unregistered goat. Fined ss, and 5s 6d costs. John Macnamara, allowing a goat to stray within the limits of the town. In this case it turned out that the goat had been taken with a number of others to the pound from M'Master's street, which, not being in the town, the information was dismissed. Byan v. Fleming. — Charge of assault. Mr Matthews for complainant. At the request of defendant this case was adjourned till Thursday. Thornton v. Morton and Pickford — Claim for £25, for trespass on section 36, block 1, Invercargill Hundred, and cutting and felling certain timber and other trees growing thereon. Mr Macdonald ior plaintiff, Mr Matthews for defendants.' From the evidence of Mr John M'Arthur, surveyor, Mr Brodrick, and others, it appeared that the defendants had erected a eawpit on section 36, block 1, Invercargill Hundred, the property of the complainant, cut down and sawn up certain totara trees, and removed the timber. For the defence it was urged that the sawpit wae on a Government reserve, on which defendants had a license to cut timber. So measurements were brought forward in sup» port of this view, which rested solely on the assertions of the defendants. The hearing ofthe case occupied several hours. His Worship, in giving judgment, said that the trespass had heen clearly proved. He would reserve the question- of damages. Morton and Pickford v. Murdoch. — Claim for £11 17§ 3d, price of ct rtain sawn timber sold and delivered. Mr Matthews for plaintiffs, Mr •Magdonald for defendant. The plaintiffs were

the defendants in the previous actim. The defence was that tbe timber in question was not the property of plaintiffs at all, but of Mr J. T. Thomson, who had given defendant notice that ho was not to pay plaintiffs for it. From the evidence it appeared that the timber had been cut at the pit referred to in the previous action. His Worship reserved judgment.