RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1143, 7 July 1866, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Christchttrch -July 6. TBefore 0 0. Bowen, Esq., R.M ] Kosannah Hill was brought up in custody, charged with being drunk and incapable. The Resident Magistrate discharged prisoner on the understanding that she would sign the P HaVli O'Neill was fined 5s for being drunk and disorderly. Phcebe Chadwick was brought up, charged with being drunk and disorderly in the vicinity of the theatre. Prisoner was fined 20s, and cautioned. Thomas Hayton, aged 13, was brought up on remand, charged with stabbing with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The Kcatdent M»°Ktrate said that lie did not know what to do with him. Ho was too young a lad to send to gaol ; lie had first of all been discarded by all his friends, and after going about the streets doing nothing, ho had ended by using the knife. He (the Resident Magistrate) wished I that there had been a Reformatory here to eend a case like tho present one ; and he should certainly ask the Government to institute one, be it even on so small a scale. He had had several cases brought before him of young lads who had been guilty of acts which warranted punishment, and! as he did not like to send them to gaol, they had been dismissed with a caution; but he felt sure that the time had now come when a Reformatory was necessary, where boys like the prisoner could be sent, made to work and kept under control. He should order the police to keep a strict look out after the prisoner, and, if he was brought up again, he would undoubtedly bo sent to gaol, however painful it was for him (the Resident Magistrate) to send so young a lad there. The boy was then discharged. Akaroa July 4. [Before John Watson, R.M, R. Greaves, and Wm. Weston, Esqrs., J.P.'e.] Weston v. Magee—Claim for £20, damages for defendant's dog worring a flock of sheep. Plaintiff called his shepherd, who stated that defendant took his dog (a pig dog) pig hunting on Saturday, about three weeks ago, to Gough's bay, and passed over plaintiff's river, and the dog remained behind, and did not return to defendant's house till the following Sunday, some time after defendant had returned home. The witness found one sheep badly wounded, and another dead. He believed defendant's dog had caused the damage. Defendant said there was no proof that his dog had done the damage, and called evidence to prove that two other dogs had been in the neighborhood of the sheep the same day. Ultimately the case was dismissed by the Bench. July 6. Howland v. M'Kown—£l6 19s 6d. Claim for work done and material supplied to repair defendant's vessel, the Maria Ann. Defendant pleaded an off-set, and paid come money into Court; he admitted having employed Howland by the day, and did not consider he was called upon to pay overtime. Plaintiff swore he had worked for twelve hours each day, and the Bench allowed his charge, and the defendant's claim for the offset. Costs to be divided. Gilbert v. M'Kown—Claim for £3 7s 6d. This was disputed on the same ground as the last case, and judgment was given for plaintiff in full, and costs. O'Brion v. Rodrigues—Claim for £5, damages caused by defendant's cattle. Case postponed to obtain the attendance of a witness.