THE COURTS. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 223, 9 May 1872, Page 7

THE COURTS. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LAWRENCE.

(Before Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M., J. F. Herbert and Alex. Stewart, Esqa., J.P.s) TmjKsn.AY, 2nd May. Mears v. Pope. — Claim £10. £5 being value of a ladder, and L 5 damage for detention of same, Mr. Copland appeared for plaintiff. For the evidence for plaintiff it appeared that the ladder was behind the Commercial hotel, and that a son of defendiint took it away, stating that it was for Mr. Michael. The summo.s was issued to cause the return of the ladder. For the defenoa, it was stated that the boy who took away the ladder, although the son of defendant,- was in the service of Mr. J. Michael, and was so still, and that he (defendant) knew nothing about the matter. Plaintiff non-suited. (Before Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M.) Monday, 6th May. Herbert & Co. v. Wang Am Sham. — Claim Lll, for goods sold and delivered. No appearance of defendant. Verdict for amount with costs. Michael v. Keppel. — Claim LlO, being damages, done to plaintiffs paddock, on 18th and'2lst April and subsequeut days. Mr. M'Coy for plaintiff. Defendant conducted his own case. J. Hogij deposed that, at plaintiff's request, he valued some damage done to his paddock by pigs. He saw a portion of the damage, which would not amount to much. Could not say whose pigs did the damage. He had seen pigs in the paddock, but could not say to whom they belonged. Upon his being asked his "belief as to whom the pig^belonged, he gave evasive answers. The Resident Magistrate remarked that he would place uo confidence upon any evidence given in such a way. J. Treloar deponed to his having seen pigs in the . paddock, but could not say to whom they belonged. ' J. Michael deposed that, ho was so pested with defendant's pigs, and told him about their depredations so often, that he- was compelled to come to Court, lie had driven the pigs out often ; on one occasion he had followed them to Keppel's house, and saw Keppel, who acknowledged that they were his. The damage done to his paddock was far more than sued for. as they had rooted up some first-class clover and grass. The pigs were most of them black ; there were some black and white. For the defence, Tim llurlcheysaid.that he had entered Keppel's employment on the 18th of April. His pigs were then confined in .the sty, and also for some days afterwards. They were then let loose, and followed him whilst ploughing. They could not possibly be in Michael's paddock, as he kept an eye on them. Keppel's pigs are black. Other pigs are running in the locality. J. Keppel stated that, on the days* mentioned x his pigs, were duly fastened. Some time ago, previous to the 18th, Mr. Michael haft complained to him of his pigs. Afterwards he was careful not to give him any cause. He had "never seen "the pigs in Michael's paddock. On 21st May (Sunday), the pifs were in the sty, as j he made it an invariable rule not to allow

them out that day. -He had no whitepigs. The Magistrate gave judgment for plaintiff for 20s and costs.