RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

West Coast Times, Issue 250, 11 July 1866, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

(Before G. G. FitzGorald, Esq., R.M.) Tuesday, lOtii July.

Drunk and Incapable. — George Chambers, George Bacon, and Frederick Austin were severally fined 5s for this offence, or in default 24 hours imprisonment. Drunk and Disorderly. — Joseph Lauben was fined 5s for being drunk and 15s for disorderly conduct, or in default 48 hours imprisonment \\ ith hard labor.

James Wright, on remand from yesterday, charged with being a reputed thief, frequenting a public place with intent to commit a felony, called the following witnesses for his defence : — William Kortegast stated that he had known the prisoner in Havelock, and had also seen him in the bar of his Hotel in Hokitika. — Mr Baillie (of Baillie und Humphrey) was next called and stated that he had seen the prisoner opening oysters at the house opposite hiajjplace of business, and he believed tnat the house did not bear a very good name. In reply to a question put by Sergeant Hickson — Mr Baillie said he was not aware that the house was a brothel kept by a Mrs Friend. — Thomas Rosertberg was also called, but gave no material evidence either for, or against Wright — in fact, he knew nothing about him The prisoner was ordered to find sureties for his good behaviour for three months, himself in £50, and two sureties in £25 each.

Breach of Police Ordinance. — William Rea was charged by Lawrence P. Holmes with using threatening, abusive and obscene language towards him on the 3rd inst., by saying "I will lick your heart and soul out of your skin," and other expressions of a similar nature. Mr Oakes appeared for the defendant. The complainant failing to appear, the information was dismissed. An application was made by Mr Oakes for costs which was refused.

Assault. — Thomas Homan was charged by John Ilackett with assaulting him on the evening of the 3rd instant, by striking him in the mouth with his clenched fist. The complainant stated that he went into the defendant's public house, the Horse and Groom, to make enquires as to the whereabouts of a person named Charley Turner. In reply to question put by complainant, defendant said he was on the Six-mile diggings. Hackett asked him which Six-mile he meant, upon which Homan replied 'yon are, a newchum I suppose,' and at the same time leaning over the bar struck him in the face. In answer to a question pal by defendant, Hackett admitted having said that he did not want to have any more words about it ; but if he liked he would find men who would pull his (Homan's) house down — that was after defendant had struck him. Mr Neale was called, and corroborated Hackett's statement. The defendant called William Cohen, who was in a back room, and on hearing a noise came out and saw Iloman turn Ilackett out, but did not see him strike him. Cohen further stated that Hackett was drunk. Mr Neale was recalled by the Bench, and denied that Ilackett was drunk ; he might have had a glass or two, but he was capable of attending to his business. Iloman accused Hackett of calling him a rogue on entering the house, which he said led to.the quarrel The magistrate being clearly of opinion that an assault had been committed, fined Iloman £1.

Larceny. — James Smith was charged by Donald Nicholson with stealing on the 7th inst from his dwelling, situate on the Teremakau river, an oilcloth coat, a shirt, a scarf, six boxes of sardines, and six boxes of matches, Donald Nicholson, a miner, residing at the Teremakau, said he left the above articles in his house on the day in question, and on his return that evening found they had been stolen. The witness identified the waterproof coat, but would, not swear to the other articles. Sergeant Boatty, stationed at the Rangarerei, gave evidence as to the fact of his having arrested the prisoner at Rocky Point, on a charge of larceny made against him by the last witness. Prisoner admitted the offence to the sergeant, and told him he thought the house had been deserted. The '•prisoner was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labor. A similar charge was made against Smith by Mr Johnson of stealing some blankets left by him at Nicholson's house on the night of the sth inst, and in his (Nicholson's) charge. Mr Johnson was called, and stated that he had not authorised the prisoner to remove the blankets which were now produced and identified by him. The prisoner was again sentenced to be imprisoned for fourteen days with hard labor.

CIVIL CASES.

Kennedy v Knoops — For board and lodging. Judgment by default for £9 16s and co3ts.

In the cases of Fox v Smith and Co., Brown and Co. v Johnson, Marks and Co. v Holmer, M'Beath and Co. y Fraser, there was no appearance of plaintiffs or defendants.

With reference to timber on the Grey, the "Argus'^says :—": — " It has often been stated, as one of tho arguments against tho permanent prosperity of Greymouth, that, with the exception of coal and gold, we havo nothing to to export, and that the high price of the former will for a* long time at least militate against its being taken into much consideratioii. While wo partly admit these facts, yet wo know that we have close at hand an article that will not only handsomely recompense outgoing vessels for their freight, but which will bear favorable comparison, both as regards quality and cheapness of production, with what of a like kind could be furnished in almost any of the older ports of Australia or Tasmania — we allude to our timber. Within a very short distance of the town (at most four miles), and with available water carriage all the way, there is a belt containing thousands of spars fit for masts for vessels of almost any tonnage, and which can be had with so little trouble a3 almost to say that they cost nothing. $11 some instances, these spars have something like 100 feet clear of branches, and are correspondingly thick, and of an extremely tough nature There are in this belt more than one description, although the white pino is the most prevalent. We have it from undoubted authority that masts have hero been made, despite tho high price of labor in shapingthem — the labor being 50 per cent more than in other parts — at 30 per cent less than the same description of spars would cost elsowhere. We therefore say that here is an article that would well-repay labor, and vessels in going away might most advantageously take a cargo of spars instead of departing in ballast."