The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 158, 28 June 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1879.

The Waxmate Fire Case. —The case which has occupied the Supremo Court for nearly a fortnight has at length been brought to a close, viz., George Court a - . Michael Studhoime, for £IOOO damages, the jury giving damages to the amount of L 484. The defendant’s counsel, Mr Macassey, has applied for a nonsuit. The judge, in Ins ruling in this case, will'not give, avc think, general satisfaction, nor do Ave think his address to the jury will raise the character of the judicial bench. If wc dare entertain a thought unfavorable to Judge Johnston it would be that there avus evidence of a leaning towards the defendant. kVe dare not express this opinion whatever wc think, as he might, in the vindiet iveec; s of spirit to which all men arc liable to prosecute us for what he might term a Jibe). We are no lawyers, and may be v. ron;.- in our ideas of what is right, but avo cannot help thinking there was an unnecessary returning to the matter of the possibility of other fires doing the damage complained of, and wc think there Avas an undue pressure brought to hear on this and other points in favor of the defendant, who is a rich man. Any impartial reader of the evidence must come to the conclusion that the jury gave their decision very impartially, and let us add (considering the judge’s summing up) very independently. If a rich man, because he is rich, is to be allowed to destroy other people’s properly oy (lie ads of his servants with impunity it is time to shut up our Courts of -I us! ice. It is very clear, hy the

evidence, tl);iL it was tlie defendant’s servants that sot fire to the tussocks, and by this fire destroyed the hope of many a working man. If such proceedings are to be allowed to go

on there would be no safety to anyone. Mr Macassey, the able counsel for the defendant, gave notice of his intention of applying for a nonsuit. The case will likely turn up in the Appeal Court. The whole aim of the defendant and Ins counsel apparently is to weary the plaintiffs out by costly lawsuits. Wc are glad to hear that the sufferers have made common cause against him in this case. Union is strength in this case in the highest sense’ of the word (if, as they appear to be ; right) ; then they should Join together to fight it out to the bitter end. “Wealth is to be respected, but wealth must not be allowed to arrogate to itself unlimited power to do evil.

Resident Magistrate’s Court.— At the sitting of this Court on “Wednesday last, before F. Guinness, Esq., R.M., Mrs Heap' of the Royal Hotel, was fined 10s and costs for allowing a chimney to be on fire. The following civil cases were disposed of ; —W. Brogdon r. M. Dunn —Claim, L 26 ,ss. Mr Johnston appeared for defendant. After hearing the evidence the case was dismissed, with costs and solicitor’s fee. M. Dunn v_ “W. Drogden —Claim, L 3 15s. Mr Johnston appeared for plaintiff. Judgment recorded by confession for amount with costs. M. Barratt t. IT. Holloway—Claim, Lll for value of a reaping machine. Judgmena for plaintiff for amount and costs. Job Brown v. James M‘Kay —Claim L2G 12s. Judgment by default. James Mcßae v. J. Lowe— Claim LV 14s. Mr Harris appeared for plaintiff. The defendant was ordered to give up the goods on which the action was laid, or pay the amount with costs. James M'Rae y D. Sugrue. Mr Harris appeared for plaintiff. Case adjourned on defendant paying costs and solicitor’s fee. Enubloy v. Mitchell — Claim LlB 4s Id ; and same v llodick — Claim L 75 Gs. The cases were adjourned at request of plaintiff. E. Barker (as President of the Teniuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral Association) v. James Marshall —Claim Lll. Judgment by default. Henry and Findlay t. J. Cain —Claim 15s. Judgment by default. J. Mcßae v. Sugrue — iClaim L 3. Judgment for plaintiff with costs.

Lecture. —It will be seen from our advertising columns that the Rev. Mr Gillies is to deliver a lecture in the Presbyterian Church on Monday next, at 7.30 p.m. Mr Lillies’ lectures always please, and no doubt the one on Monday will be no exception. The rev. lecturer always studies to intermix the amusing; with good and useful lessons. The subject is a Scottish Herd Laddie or the life of Ferguson, who, by industry and perseverance, rose from the (lowest rank to the pinnacle of fame as a genius and a mechanician, and was respected by his fellow men. Temuka Railway Bridge.—Wc learn from the best authority that a tender has been accepted for the construction of the interior railway bridge over the River Temuka. This is a good earnest of the sincerity of the Government in this matter, and will surely put to silence those croakers who are ever ready to .doubt the willingness of the Minister for Public Works to do justice to Canterbury. “We hope the mail duo on the Rh of next month wall bring such a report from Sir J. Coodo as will'silence the many croakers in the matter of Milford Harbour also.

Obtaining Goods on False Pretences. Margaret Todd was brought up at the R.M. Court on Thursday last, before F. Guinness, Esq., R.M., on the information of Oscar Louis, charged with having obtained goods to the value of £lO from the said Oscar Louis by means of false pretences, under ths name of “ Mrs Gruickshank.” Prisoner was committed for trial at the' next sitting of the District Court at Timaru.

Sew Blacksmith’s Premises. —Mr John Napier (late of. Henry, and Findlay’s) has commenced business in the premises at the rear of the Leader Office as general shoeing and jobbing smith. ,We wish him every success in his new enterprise. New Auctioneer. —It never rains but it nours. Temuka lias long wished for a local auctioneer. No sooner does one advertise, however, than another comes into the field, and a third is spoken of. With two lawyers, two auctioneers, and a local paper Temuka ou"ht to do some business. It will be seen from our advertising columns that Mr W. Williamson announces his intention to begin business at once. From the advertiser’s knowledge of the district, and being one of the oldest settlers in it, ho has a claim for

support. Shag Point Coal. —Mr E. Brown notifies thsough our columns that he is prepared to supply the best Shag Point coal in any quantity to any part of the toAvn, at the very lowest rates.