RESIDENT MAGISTRATE COURT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 498, 1 May 1869, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE COURT.

Friday, April 30. (Before J. Giles, Esq., R.M.) John S. Kent, a miner at Giles Terrace, was charged, on the information of John M'lntyre, with using threatening language and with lifting an adze to strike him. The parties had been mates, ,bufc Kent had been compelled to sen out of the claim. There was a dispute as to the ownership of some laths, which Kent asserted were his own private property. M'lntyre and his other mate, Grant, were removing these when Kent interfered, and, according to M'lntyre's statement, Kent lifted an adze and threatened to assault him with the same. Kent denied having done so, and called a witness, William Martin, who spoke to Kent's character as a quiet and inoffensive man. The Magistrate saw no reason to disbelieve the complainant's statement. Although the

defendant might be maintaining his own rights, he must do so in a different way. He was fined ss, and ordered to find personal surety for £2O to keep the peace for three months. The Court was afterwards occupied with the hearing of a civil case in which Kent sued Grant and M'lntyre for £7, as the value of the laths removed by them. Elisabeth Bartholomew, a " young person" attired in brilliant apparel, was charged, on the information of Henry Bradley, with having used insulting and threatening language. The complainant said he went to the house of the defendant on Monday* to ask for some money she owed him and some things belonging to him—- " antimacassars, or things to put on the backs of chairs and looking glasses." She asked him to call in a day or two tor the money, and asked him if he could swear to the " things," which he could not. On Wednesday he met her in the street, and asked her again. She said " she did not want any of his hook and eye work," whatever that might mean, and told him he " was nothing but a whore-master." In reply to Mr Tyler, the complainant said he considered the defendant did assault him by the language she used. He could himself make use of the word " bloody," but he did not call her " a bloody thing." He told her she was " a thing in the way, and wanted clearing out." He was not a whore-mas-ter ; he was master only of his wife and family. He bore no malice to the defendant; he admitted that when she was in his house, she caused drinks to be sold. Mrs Bradley was called, and stated that the defendant and another " young person " came to her house some time ago. The other " young person " was " confined " in her house. She (Mrs B.) lent money to the defendant to pay the rent of a house " for the purpose of getting rid of her." Another witness gave evidence as to the language used, but the Magistrate dismissed the case as a trumpery one which should not have been brought into Court. Mr Tyler called Mrs Bush as a witness to show that the complainant should bear expenses, but, except the Court fees, the Magistrate considered the case was not one for expenses.