RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1189, 29 August 1866, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Chbistchttboh— August 28. (Before 0.0. Bo wen, Esq., R.M.) Jame's Logan was fined 10a for being drunk and disorderly. Prisoner, who could not pay the fine, was locked up in default. There were ninety civil cases set downrfor hearing to-day, but most of them were" settled . but of Court, and in the rest judgments were given. Kaiapoi.—August 28. [Before W. B. Pauli, Esq., R.M., O. Dudley, Esq., arid J. Birch, Esq., J.P.'a. John Sim., being the owner of a horse found wandering at large in the town, was fined ss. A. Smith wns charged with being drunk, and making a disturbance, and was fined ss. ■ Birnie v. Hughes—The defendant was charged with behaving himself in such- a manner as to provoke a breach of the peace The plaintiff stated that on his way to the Kaiapoi* ploughing match the defendant abused him. He had done so on a previous occasion, and he hoped the bench would bind him (the defendant) over to keep the peace. . A witness corroborated plaintiff's statement. The Bench dismissed the case, administering a severe caution to the defendant, and referring in strong terms to his previous conduct, he having but lately left gaol.' • Peter McDonald was brought up on remand, charged with stealing a saddle and bridle, the,property of Mr Hartland, of Mount Panassus station, value £5. Sergeant Hurse conduoted the prosecution, and called Mounted constable Judge, whose evidence has already been published. John Hartland deposad—l lire at. Mount Panassus station, Nelson. I know the prisoner. He was paid off" on the 20th instant at his request. I missed a aaddie and bridle on tho 2i_t. I was also told that a mare was missing out of the paddock. The saddle and bridle in Court I recogniso as my property, which I value about £5. I never lent them or authorised prisoner to use them. On the road to Christchurch prisoner would have to cross the Wairoa and Hurunui, the latter he might cross in a boat. The prisoner did not tell anyjone on the station that he had taken the saddle or bridle. He left during the night of the 20th. The prisoner, who declined making any statement, was sentenced to three months' hard labor. The same prisoner was then charged with stealing a horse, the property of Qreorge Ford, of Mount Panassus station, valued at £25. Joseph Judge corroborated his former statements. Tom Ford, duly sworn, stated —I reside at Mount Panassus station. I heard that a mare had been stolen from. my brother's on the 20th inatant. I suspected prisoner, and tracked him. He took the direction towards the Htirinui by the beaten road. I then traced him by Wriggley's and Shrimpton's stations. It was not the direct road he took. He went about fifteen or twenty miles out of the direct track. '7 John Armstrong, deposed—l am a shepherd, residing at the Kaikouras. I met tho prisoner on the 21st, at tho Waiao. We rode along the track in company toward. Christchurch, a distance of about fifteen miles. We had some conversation. Prisoner said he was going to stay at Hasties. I wanted hini to ride along to Weka pass, and suggested that we might ride along together to Christchurch, in company. He said, however, that he had to go to Frazer'a, and turned off in the direction of Culverdon, about six or seven miles from Hastie's. The horse he rode was a chesnut; the same as is now outside the Court. George Ford sworn, stated—l am a medical practitioner, residii g at Mount Panas.u.. I know the prisoner, he was on tho station. 1 lost a horse on the 20.h. I did not authorise prisoner, or any one else, to take it away. I did not lend it. I have seen tho mare outside the Court; it is my property, I know it by the brands. It is worth about £25. The distance from our place to the Waiao, is from twenty to twenty-five miles. The river is in charge of a ferryman, who keeps a horso for crossing passengers, The Hurunui is generally crossed on horseback. Tha prisoner might have taken the horse, without any intention to

steal it ; and being [ n n „ ( i ,777 """-*-* « ""ore than li k g oly8 ™J .*« «»,. By tho IWh-The ..0. 90 I Ido „ot thmk I W ould h« vo , prisoner. The prisoner ~,,,! h ° n '»?e L f-«h_r than ho did no! 2 ir.are. ul »> steal t| r The Bench committed him f or .„• , next session of the Supreme Co u .t &t t!l *