RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 125, 13 July 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Saturday, July 10.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.)

Mcßae v. Harris.—Case, adjourned from previous Court day. Mr. Harris stated that, from a conversation which he had had with the plaintiff, he believed that the matter could be settled amicably by a little mutual agreement.

His Worship perfectly coincided with the remarks made by Mr. Harris, as the impression left on his mind from what transpired the day previous, the matter was solely one of account, and as far as he could see, it would be rather difficult for the Court to give an equitable decision. He would suggest that the dispute be referred to

two arbitrators, and in the meantime the case be adjourned for a week. Both parties agreed to the course suggested being taken, and the case was accordingly adjourned until next Saturday, without costs.'

Monday, July 12. DRUNKENNESS. William Ellington was fined ss. for being drunk and disorderly. John Duncan, a respectable-looking man, was charged with a like offence, with the additional one of using obscene and, profane language. Constable Warring stated that he saw the accused talking to a cabman, and using most filthy language. His Worship fined Duncan ss. for the first offence, and LI for the second. His Worship cautioned the accused that if he came before him again on a like charge, he would be liable to a sentence of three '."sionths’ imprisonment.

INDECENT EXPOSURE. John Cochrane, an elderly man, appeared in answer to the two charges of being,’drunk and exposing his person. The accused stated, in extenuation of his conduct, that he had taken no intoxicating liquor for some time, and on drinking a little the previous day, it had speedily taken .effect. After Constable Warring had given his evidence, showing the condition, in which he had. found the man, his Worship fined the accused ss. for being drunk and 10s. for the second charge, or an alternative of forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. EMBEZZLEMENT. Chas. Anderson was brought up on a warrant, having embezzled 155., the property of his employer, George Willcocks. George Willcocks, sworn, said—l am'an hotel-keeper at Wheatstone. Know the accused, who has been in my employ for about four weeks. Last Friday I sent him to Ashburton to buy half-a-ton of coal, and gave him a cheque for 305., 255. was for purchasing the coal, and ss. was for the payment of accused’s expenses. He left my house between nine and ten in the morning, and should have returned about three or four o’clock in the afternoon, but he did not return tlie whole day. On Saturday morning I left home to look for accused, and- met him at half-past nine at Tinwald. He appeared to be excited from drink. Accused was to have brought home some spirits from Quill’s. There is no account between us ; I do not owe accused any money. He was to get the coals from Friedlander’s. He did not ask me for more than the ss, to pay his expenses. Did not authorise accused to purchase horse-feed. He was told to stay only an hour in Ashburton, and therefore there was no horse-feed neccessary. Henry Zander, sworn—l am in the employ of Messrs. Friedlander Bros. Saw accused at our store on Friday last. * He received sacks of coal weighing 8| cvvt., for Mr. George Willcocks. When asked if he would take half-a-ton, he said 8£ cwt. would be sufficient. All the money he could find in his pocket was 14s. 6d., and he said the balance 4s. 9d. was to be charged to Mr. Willcocks, which we have done on our books. Accused was drunk at the time.

Duncan M'Kenzie, deponed—l am a landlord of the Ashburton Hotel. Remember seeing accused at about 6.30 last Friday night. He came to our house and n asked for a drink, which I refused to give him as he was drunk. He then went out and showed me some sacks of coal and three jars. He told me thej were the „ property of Mr. Willcocks, and that he ° would have to go home. He went as far ’ as the bridge, where he got stuck. Before e I could get to his assistance, he had proj ceeded over the bridge with the horse and 0 cart, and I followed him to see that he got off allright. He returned to the hotel r at about ten o’clock, and I then gave ins structions for the horse to be taken out of the cart and put in the stable, as he was drunk, and not fit to take care of the horse and cart. Accused did not stay at e my house during the night. Prisoner stated that the action which y he had taken was through his being drunk, and admitted the charge. He was very sorry for what had occurred. 3 His Worship said it was a mistake for r men in prisoner’s position to plead drunkenness as the cause of the crime ; such a plea was no excuse, but rather an aggravation. Sentenced to six months’ imprisonment,' j with hard labor. f OBTAINING MONET UNDER FALSE PRETENCES, Maurice Kane, charged on a warrant with having obtained money under false 3 pretences, was remanded until Friday r next.