RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURTS.
CniUSTCiiTTRCH —February 27. [Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.]
Elizabeth Dale and Elizabeth Smith were brought up charged with creating a breach of the peace. After hearing the evidence the Resident Magistrate remarked that it was a most disgraceful row, and fined Dale £1, aud Smith, who has been convicted before, £2.
There were fifteen cases above £20 set down for hearing to-day, and the following were disputed : — Marks v. Phillips—£Bl 17s 3d; Dr. Foster for plaintilF, Mr Garrick for defendant. Judgment for full amount, and costs. Neighbours v Harper —Claim for £40, for value of horse wrongfully detained by defendant ; Mr Garrick appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Cottrell for the defendant. Several witnesses were examined on either side, and judgment was eventually given for defendant, with costs.
Gallagher v. M'llroy—-Claim £36, being value for two cows sold to defendant. Judgment for full amount, and costs.
Lyttelton—February 26. [Before Win. Donald, Esq., R.M.]
John Merson was fined 10s, and 4s costs, for allowing t .vo horses to stray in the town. N:dder v. Hopcroft—Mr Nalder applied for a withdrawal of the summons.
Forbes v. Chas. Warner— The Resident Magistrate read a letter ho had received from plaint ill", asking for an adjournment at his own expense Adjourned till Tuesday next.
McLellan v. Chas. Warner—Adjourned of the same ground.
Davies v. Paton—Claim for amount realised on surplus stores sold by auction. In this case the following evidence was taken :—
Davies deposed— I was third officer on board the Glenmark on or about the 20th January. I asked defendant if ho would allow mc to send some stores of my own on shore ; ho did so. The stores came on shore, and were sold by Mr Woledge on the 25th or 26th January. A week after I asked defendant for some money. He gave mc £i ou my IO U. Some of tho stores wire my own property, and some were returned to mo by the passengers on the voyage. I went a week after and asked for the proceeds of tlie sale, when defendant declined to pay mc without the knowledge of the Capfain. The Captain came on board and discharged mc for demanding the money.
By Defendant—The Captain said he knew nothing of the stores being sent on shore. David Thomson deposed—l am a schoolmaster, and was a passenger. I have returned stores to plaintiff. I took the stores for our mess.
Mr C. Paton said he was acting fir Matheson's Agency. He bad been summoned personally. He produced Messrs. Woledge and Co.'s account, which differed from that produced by the plaintiff. On being sworn he deposed as follows : —The stores were eont on shore during the absence of the captain, and sent to Messrs. Woledge, and sold. On the Captain's return I asked him about them. Fie said it was quite contrary to rule and without his cojjnizmce. T mrcr knew of an officer claiming surplus stores before.
The Resident Magistrate adjourned the case till Tuesday next, in order to obtain the evidence of Captain Wrankmore. Mr Paton produced a certificate from Captain Wrankmore, but the Resident Magistrate said ho could not take it as evidence when personal evidence could bo obtained.
Koropapara (a Maori,) v. Dowell. This was an adjourned case from last Tuosday. Defendant produced a certificate from a veterinary Burgeon, which stated that the horse in question was unsound, having ringbone. Defendant stated that he took the horse to tho veterinary surgeon, who said anybody living could see the horse had ring-bone. Plaintiff said the horse was not lame when defendant first had it. The Resident Magistrate informed plaintiff that he must take back the horse, and that defendant must keep the cow. Judgment for defendant, with costs, 10s.
Kaiapoi—February 26. [Before W. B. Pauli, Esq., R.M., and 0
Dudley, Esq., J.P.]
Tho following cases of trespass were heard : Alfrey was charged with being the owner of a hor3e found at large in the town, and fined ss. — Milhgan was charged with the same offence, but having proved that his horse swam the river and entered the town, the case was dismissed with a caution. A. Wright admitted having had three head of cattle at large in the town, and was fined os. J. Smith was fined 10s for having two horses at large in the town. Frank Welstead was charged by mounted-con-stable Judgs with obstructing him in the discharge of liis duty. It appeared the constable was in searcli of a Maori named Martin, on Monday, the 18ih, when the defendant, who had the Maori employed, called to him, and he made off. The defendant also used very abusive language, and tried to strike at the constable with the knife of a reaping machine. A fino of £5 was inflicted, or in default of payment fourteen days' imprisonment.
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