RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

West Coast Times, Issue 212, 24 May 1866, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before G. G. FitzGerald, R.M.) Wednesday, May 23, 1866. Drunk and Inoai'Able.—- Daniel M'Callum was fined 5s or iv default 24 hours imprisonment for this offence. Ilugh W. Bracken snd Christopher Bracken were charged with violently and maliciously assaulting at Hokitika on the 22nd May one Patrick Connell, by striking him on the head with a guv and a hammer headed whip, with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Inspector Broham called Dr Hyley, who being sworn stated that he had examined Connell at the Police Camp on the morniug of the 22nd, when he found him insensible and suffering from concussion of the brain. Ho had also visited him about an hour before giving his evidence, and fouud that the insensibility still continued. The witness did not expect that Connell would Jive more than an hour. The Magistrate remarked that the prisoners had not been as yet in any way connected with the charge, whereon Inspector Broham called Sergeant Dyer who, when sworn, deposed that he had arrested the prisoners, and that on their way to the Cramp Hugh Bracken stated that ho had struck Connell in self defence. Inspector Broham applied for a remand for eight days, which was granted by the Magistrate. Mr O'Loughlin applied, on behalf of the prisoners, that they might be admitted to bail, which was accepted in the case of Christopher Bracken — himself in LSOO and two sureties in L 250 each. Messrs Prosser aud Mcc at once came forward as bondsmen, and tho prisoner was released. In the case of Hugh Bracken the Court declined to accept bail. BOBBERY FROM TUB PEBSON, WITH VIOLENCE. Edward Jones was charged with this offence. Inspector Broham called Riohard Dyer, who was sworn, and stated that he was a sergeant of police. Had heard cries of I' Police !" in llevell-street, on the morning of the 10th inst., and on running in the direction from whence the cries proceeded, saw tho prisoner and another man struggling together. Was told by the proseoutor, Thomson, that the prisoner and three other men had set on him, and had taken two one pound notes from his trowsers pocket. The witness recognised the {prisoner, and said to him, "Is that your little game ? " Prisoner replied that witness had been a long time looking for him, and that he (witness) had got him at last. Took the prisoner and locked him up. Had, previous to taking him to the lock-up, searched him and found nine shillings in his left-hand trowsers pocket, and a one pound note in the breast pocket of his coat. Inspector Broham here applied for a remand for eight days, to allow him to procure the artondance of the prosecutor. The prisoner was accordingly remanded until the first day of Juno, 1866. TUB THEFT OF REVOLVERS AT THE CAMI\ Richard Burgess and John Aldridge were charged with stealing two revolver cases from the Police Camp, Hokitika, on the night of the 10th hist. Mr Button appeared for the prisoner Burgess, and Messrs Oakes and M'Gregor for prisoner Aldridge. Constable Charles being called, and sworn, said that about six o'clock on the evening of the 10th inst. he was sent on duty to the South Spit, and before going he hung his revolver and case up in the mounted constables' barrack-room. On returning the next morning he found it had been stolen. He identified the case now produced as that hung up by him in the barrack- room. Richard Dyer, being duly sworn, said that on the morning of the 13th inst., he wont' to a house off Beach-street, accompanied by four constables. On knocking at the door prisoner Burgess asked from inside who was there, and on the witness answering ' a friend,' opened the door. The witness told the prisoner Burgess that he was a sergeant of police, and liad a search warrant, and desired him to get out of the bed in which he was lying. This the prisoner Burgcs3 refused to do, and struck at the witness. On his being removed the witness searched the bed, and under th» pillow he had been using found the revolver case now produced. On asking the prisonor Burgess to account for its possession, ho said that was his business. ' On further search, a second revolver case was also found concealed under the bed, clothes.

The prisoner Aldridge was in an inner room, and on the witness asking him if he knew anything about the revolver cases, prisoner Burgess said that he would be responsible for all that was found there. The witness knew the prisoner Burgess to have occupied tho house searched for more than six weeks. Constable Elliot being sworn, stated that ho accompanied the last witness to the house of prisoner Burgess, and saw the revolver casea found. • He identified one of them. No case against Alridge having being made out, he was here discharged by the magistrate. Mr Button, the prisoner's counsel, for the defence called George Henry Chamberlayne, who deposed that about the 13th instant the witness, the prisoner, and a man named Sullivan, were walking in Revell street, when they saw the revolver cases lying in the road. The witness picked them up, but having no use for them gave them to the prisoner Burgess. Joseph Thomas Sullivan, being sworn, corroborated fully the evidence of the last witness, and the magistrate discharged the prisoner. civil cases. Dutton and Dunn v M'Bean. — For goods supplied and money lent. Jndgment by default for £6 4s Gd and costs. Pringle v. Dawson.-— For goods sold and delivered. Judgment by default for amount claimed £17 and costs. Martin v Gowen.— -The plaintiff sought to recover the sum of £6 9s the value of 43 dozen eggs at 3s per dozen. The defendant stated that 18 dozen had been returned to him by his customers as bad and totally unfit for use. A judgment w»9 given for £3 16s 9d with costs. Betts and Shepherd v Keenan.— -The plaintiffs sought to recover the turn of £11 08 6d, for meat supplied to the schooner Despatch. Judgment for amount claimed with costs. In the cases Simpson v Whiting, Bently. v Sampson, Oakes v Rich, Sloane v Cleary there was no appearance of plaintiffs or defendants. The Court adjourned until eleven o'clock this day.