RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. THURSDAY, STH JUNE, 1862.

(Before Alfred Chctham Strode, Esq., R.M.)

Vagrancy.—Margaret Stewart was brought before the Bench on the information of constable Percy, chargiug her with having no lawful or visible means of support. The accused was upwards of seventy years of age, nnd had been discovered lying ont in the open air. She stated that she resided at the Maori hill, and that her husband was a joiner by trade. His worship discharged her with a caution. Assault. —William Mantle was informed against for cutting and wounding one John Marris, a builder, on the preceding day. The defendant had been admitted to bail in a personal' deposit of £10. Mr. Ward appeared for the prosecution in the absence of Mr. Prendergast, and called evidence to prove that the defendant had hit his client on the head with a .screwdriver. The complainant stated, that he believed had it not been for the interference of some men, that the accused would have murdered him. He appeared in Court with his-heafl plastered in two places. The line of defence attempted to be established was one of self-protection. A witness, who gave his name as David Stoker, proved that about a quarter past one o'clock on the preceding afternoon, the complainant, William Mantle, went to ■ the defendant and demanded the, payment of an account. Defendant tendered a cheque, thevalidity or genuineness of which was at once disputed, and cash requested in exchange. An altercation ensued, which led eventually to a breach of the peace. The yulue of the cheque was given at £1 155., and complainant considered that he was entitled to half-n-crown more. His Worship considered that the defendant in this case had committed a grievous assault on the complainant, and there appeared to be no doubt of the defendant having been the primary cause of the disturbance. Had he gone away quietly from the premises, as he should have done, this affray would not have taken place. He had laid himself open to a very serious charge for striking a man on the head with such a deadly instrument as a screw driver. The Bench inflicted a. penalty of £3, and 7s. 6d. costs, or, in default, committed the defendant to 14 days' imprisonment. InsoSordination. —William Hughes was charged on the information of Matthew M'Fie, master of the schooner Colonist, with wilful disobedience of lawflu commands in refusing to proceed to duty. The information was laid under clause 4 and section 2-t3 of the Merchant Shipping A.ct. The defendant was excessively loquacious and irregular in Court, being apparently under the influence of drink. In the course of his garrulous, but disconnected statement, he taid that he was perfectly willing to go on board and resume duty, but the prosecutor declined to have him back. The accused still persisting to manifest a disorderly demeanor, although cautioned by the Bench as to his misconduct, was committed to H. M. gaol for the term of 24 hours, for contempt. The business of the Court terminated at 20 minutes after 12 (noon.)