RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 323, 23 November 1860, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

[Before J. Poynter, Esq., Resident Magistrate.] Tuesday, November 20,1860.

John Murray, seaman, was charged by one of the constables with being drunk and lying about the streets. Fined 10s. and costs.

William Barry was charged with having been unlawfully on the premises of Miss Rebecca Sharp, on Saturday evening last. The prosecutrix and defendant reside in the Wood, and on the evening in question, Miss Sharp having occasion to visit the town, left her door unlocked, during which time the prisoner entered her house, and secreted himself behind the curtains of the bed. For some time after she entered her house, Miss Sharp had no idea that any one was there, with the exception of herself. On drawing aside the curtains of her bed for the purpose of retiring to rest, she discovered the prisoner, who immediately seized her by the throat, and scuffled with her, at the same time brandishing a sword over her head, which he took with him for the purpose of intimidating her, and carrying out his villanous designs. He was, however, foiled in this, and subsequently left the house. On the following day, Miss Sharp informed the police of what had taken place, and on Monday laid an information against him. The same evening (Monday) about 12 o'clock, he again visited her premises, but finding the place in darkness, he struck a handful of lucifer matches, and put them close to the window-pane, for the purpose of seeing if Miss Snarpwasat home. The sudden glare of light awoke her and she got up and remonstrated with him, telling him that she,had laid an information against him. This appears to have frightened him, as he began to rave, and wished to be admitted. His noise, however, attracted the dogs of a neighbor close by, and the constables who were pn duty at the time, hearing the barking, proceeded at onceto the place, and there found him leaning against the window-sill. He was at once secured, and taken to the lock-up. The prisoner, in defence, said it was all a joke, and that he only flourished the sword in fun.

The magistrate, after talking to the prisoner, bound him over to keep the peace, himself in £40, and .two sureties in £25 each, towards Miss Sharp and all her Majesty's subjects, for the period of six months.

Bail not being forthcoming, he was locked up until next day, when bail was found.

Wednesday, November 21. John Thorn v. Abraham Harvey, for £3 3s. Defendant did not appear. John Thorn sworn: Sold 10^ cwt. of hay to defendant, at 6s. per cwt., eighteen months ago; demanded the money of him several times. Agreed to take some timber of him, but his mate had sold it when he went for it; it was to have been delivered in a fortnight. Judgment for the amount with costs, to be paid in 14 days. William Deadman v. Maxwell Bury. •

W. Deadman sworn : Was employed by. a man named White, Bury's superintendent of the house he was then building. Mr. Bury did not employ me^ but White. White said Bury would pay me as soon as the work was done; asked Mr. Bury, who said, " very well, get on then." Bury asked the price, told him, ls. 4d. per foot. Bury said White would pay me; I said, " very well, but 1 shall look to you for payment." The magistrate said the plaintiff's case was so defective that he must be nonsuited, but can take out afresh summons.

Thomas Usher v. Charles Mason for 12s. for cloth boots. Defendant did not appear, but sent a very impudent letter. Judgment •for the amount with ss. costs.

Henry Young v. David McKensie, of the Pelorus Hotel, for £8 3s. H. Young sworn: Was employed by McKenzie on the 4th September last, 21 days' work, board and lodging included, in the Pelorus Valley, at his house, to receive 10s. per day. Went from Nelson

on purpose; recived'on agcount 7s. He promised to pay, but has not done so. . Judgment for the amount with costs. George Snow v. Joseph Wood and William Martin, for £3 3s. Debt disputed. G. Snow sworn: Supplied defendants with piles on the 6th of this month across the Brook-street river, at 9d. per foot, where defendants told me to deliver them. Left them on the road near Mr. Lightband's. Defendants refused to pay, saying they agreed for 3d. For the defence it was argued that the piles were not fit for use, but that they .were boughs of -trees.

Thomas Bush sworn: Am a cabinet-maker; have seen the piles brought down-by the plaintiff, Snow; saw them in Nile-street; they were red pine piles, and the usual amount of heart. Cannot say what they are worth. They were fit for piles. Consider the piles quite as-good as mine (black birch). W. Fox sworn: Have seen the piles furnished by the plaintiff, and consider them nothing more than limbs of trees. They are not proper piles; consider they would last about two years; they are nearly all sap. Judgment for £110s.

Thomas Foy v. Peter Frank for £4 lis. 6d. for two acceptances overdue. Plaintiff presented them both at the bank without effect.

Defendant did not appear. Judgment for the amount with interest and costs.

G. Hooper and Go. v. Robert 'Durrant, for an lOU £1 Bs. 6d.

Defendant did not appear. Judgment for the amount with costs. .

John Anstice v. G. L. MasonfiEor £2 os. lid., for goods supplied. Defendant did not appear. Judgment for the amount with 3s. costs.

J. Levien and Co. v. George■> Thompson of the Bush Tavern, for £9 2s. for rent of premises in Bridge-street, at 14s. per week. Jonah Ashburn, sworn: am clerk for J. Levien and Co.; Thompson paid his rent up to the sth September, 1859. Judgment for the amount, with 6s. costs. William Barry, who was bound over on a previous day, was brought up to answer the charge of his wife Rose Barry, for having turned her out of doors, and leaving her destitute and without any means of support. The magistrate ordered him to pay 15s. per week, commencing from Monday last..