RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WANGANUI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1015, 17 April 1869, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WANGANUI.

Feudal April 16. [Before D. S. Durie, Esq., J.P.] DRUNKENNESS. Arthur Lemon was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a constable in the discharge of his duty. Fined £l, or 48 hours’ imprisonment. LARCENY. A native named Honi Rupe—a former criminal—was charged with having stolen a watch and chain. As the case, concerned an aboriginal native, it was adjourned till Thursday for trial before the Resideut Magistrate. [Before D. S. Durio, Esq., J.P., and John Cameron, Esq., J.P.] CIVIL CASES. W. Aikman v. James Peat—Claim, £8 3s 2d. Wm. Aikman, stated in evidence —I was taken into the employment of the defendant on the lLth of February, at £1 a week, under an engagement entered into some days previously. I applied for payment before leaving. One of the reasons giveu by defendant against paying me was that he (Mr Peat) had become security for my good behaviour, and besides that I was indebted to his brother.

Cross-examined by defendant: Previous to my entering on employment you (defendant) had spoken to me about working at £1 a week, but would not stand in the way of my doing better. By the Court : From the 11th of February to the 13th of April, I performed my duty 'with the other men, and no fault was found. On Wednesday fortnight last 1 gave notice of my leaving. James Peat, defendant, deposed—l deny having made any engagement with plaintiff. I became security for him. and after getting out of gaol I found that he was so behaving himself by being drunk, that I advised him to come out to my place until he could find something better to do. .He came out for the purpose of recovering himself, and I gave him to understand that he was at liberty to do what he liked. I made no offer to him of £1 a week, but promised that 1 would pay him what 1 thought he earned. I told him that lie might have regular employment- when the thrashing commenced. He gave no fortnight’s warning, but merely said he was thinking of leaving, and I said he might go or stay as he found it suited him best. The thrashing has been going on for a week or a fortnight. He has been there up to Wednesday last. The plaintiff here stated that defendant had shown him a book in which his term of service was recorded as having commenced on the 13th of February. The defendant was not prepared to deny this, but was not aware ot its correctness.

Cross-examined by plaintiff: I told you what to do every morning. By the Court : When directed he went and worked. I have no fault to find with him, other than that I never considered him in the light of a servant. David Peat, deposed : I remember the plaintiff coming out to my brother’s place. He was then in such a state as to be utterly unfit to work for three weeks. The Bench, after consultation, gave judgment for £2 5s and 13s costs. C. T 1 Blake v. Major Kemp. —Claim, £8 Bs. Judgment for amount and costs. There were several other civil cases in which no appearance was made.