RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Issue 1725, 8 April 1873, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Friday, 4th April. (Before H. M'Culloch, Esq., R.M.). Bichardson v. Lawrence. — This was a charge of assault. Mr Harvey appeared for complainant, and Mr Wale for defendant. The complainant, lately a domestic servant, in the employ merit of W. Liwrence, Esq.. alleged that Mrs Lawrence had slapped her in the face. It appeared that she had been excee lingly insolent to her mistress, and no confirmation of the girl's statement being produced, Hi 3 Worship dismissed the case. Neil v. CooTc. — Charee of assault. Mr Wade for complainant, and Mr Harvey for defendant. Mrs Neil, the complainant, is the wife of a butcher at Woodlands. Ft appeared that the accused, Mrs Oook, a neighbor, had entered Mrs Neil's house, and draorged her out by the hair of the head. Aocused was fined £2, with costs, £3 2s 4d, and her husband was bound over in his own recognizance for £20, and ordered to find two sureties of £10 each that she would keep tho peace for twelve months. Monday, 7th April. (Before H. M'Oulloch, Esq., E.M,, and Alexander M'Nab, Esq., J.P). Joseph WilMe was fined ss, or 24 hours' imprisonment, for being drunk and disorderly in Dee-street between 11 and 12 p.m. on the 6th inst. James Bryant alias O'Brien was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding on© Malcolm Martin at Oteramika on the 17th March last. Mr Wade appeared for the accused. Malcolm Martin stated that h=> wa* a laborer working at the Oteramika railwiy cutting. On the 17th March last-, he was going home in company with a man named Jame3 Hutton. When they passed the prisoner's tent the prisaner rushed out and called witness by an opprobrious name, at the same time «trikins him on ths back of the neck with a tomahawk which he held in bis hand. Prisoner then ran away, calling out " Murder ! :i Hutton came to witness's assistance, an ( took him to a tent where his wound was dressed. The wound was a severe ono. and was not healed. Had been laid up for a week. Dul not know of any reason for the assault. Cross-examined by Mr Wade — Witness had never on any occasion attempted to take liberties with the wife of the accused, anoMrad" never been accused of doing so before. James Hutton corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Thomas Cninmings, a carter, said thit he had seen prisoner on the evening in question running about with a tomahawk Could not say he was drunk. He appeared to be either mad or drunk. Constable Purdue stated that he arrested the prisoner at Mr Bell's station, Waimea Plains, on the 3rd inst. Prisoner, on being asked if he knew of the a-sault, said "The blackguards! they deserved all they got." Prisoner also gave th» constable a tomahawk (which was produced) and said that he brought it from the railway camp. Prisoner was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Distrct Court.