THE COURTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 85, 25 September 1869, Page 3

THE COURTS.

RESIDENT MAG-ISTEATE'S COTJET.

(Before W. L. Simpson, Esq., KM.) Monday, September 20th. Fitzgerald v. Eeid.— Claim, £10 7s. Paid into Court. M'lntyre v. Eeid. — Adjourned for one week. .., James M'Kenzie, • brought from Tapanui by Constable Purdue, was

charged himself "with having killed Grerman Charlie in Dunedin about five years ago. The evidence of the constable • was as follows : Messrs. M'Kellar and TJrie of Tapanui informed him of the confession made by the prisoner ; he went to where M'Kenzie was residing. The prisoner said, about five years ago I was -in Dunedin. , ( One- night I was walking along at the head of Walkerstreet, a man rushed out on me and knocked me down; he said that I had killed his mate, and now he would murder me. He was on the top of me, he tried to choke me. I felt him drawing a sheath-knife out of his belt. When I perceived this, I put my hand into my left breeches pocket, and took out a clasp-knife^ and I stabbed him, he died shortly afterwards. - I 'remained by him until he died. When he was dead, two men who were looking on, came frombehindafence,and said to me that they saw me murder him, and if I had not done so they would do it themselves. There was a woman also looking on. They offered me money, I would not take it. They told me where they were stopping. I called on them next morning. We had a few drinks. I was about a fortnight in Dunedin afterwards. I left for Lyttelton to go to Hokitika. Some long time afterwards I came back to Dunedin, and went to the Clutha. J Afterwards I returned to Tokomairiro. j I then met one of the men who saw me murder Charlie, with another man. One of them tried to put a watch in my pocke^T afterwards I took the watch, and went towards Waihola. I offered to sell the watch, but the storekoeper said that a watch had been stolen at Tokornairiro, and the one I was selling might be it. At this time some acquaintances were passing, and I gave them the ivAi-eh to he returned to the owner at Tokomairiro. During the above relation, the prisoner frequently burst into tears and covered his face with his handkerchief, and frequently exclaiming, " I'll tell the truth, I'll tell the truth"." The prisoner was sent to Dunedin, and having been brought before the Bench, was declared of unsound mind. Thursday, September 23rd. Henderson v. Vause. — Claim, £1 1-ls. Gd., balance of account. No appearance of defendant. Verdict for amount, with costs. . Keills Iverson v. James Foreman. — Claim, £10, damages for assault and battery. Defendant fined £2 and costs. Harris v. Wa Hop.— Claim, £12 10s., for goods sold and delivered. Defendant admitted the debt, and said that he had trusted his countrymen with all his goods, and he did not know when he would be able to pay — perhaps in ten or twelve weeks. He would pay £5 into Court now, but he could not tell how soon he would pay the balance. The Bench remarked that if he would pay £6 10s. into Court and promise to pay the balance in fourteen days, an order to that effect would be made. Defendant not consenting, a verdict for the full amount was recorded, and immediate execution granted, as the plaintiff was apprehensive that the defendant was about leaving the district.