MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10955, 3 May 1901, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

DEFAULT CASES In the following cases defendants did not appear, and Mr R. Beet ham, S.M., gave judgment for the plaintiffs by default: — Lawrence Kelly v Peter Crouch, £40 0s 8d ; John F. Best and Walter 1). Towns v Reginald Gee. £5 14s ; Shaw, Robinson, and Co. v John Hampton, £6 3s 3d. SIX DAYS' LABOUR, Ethel ... Campbell, for whom Mr Leathern appeared, sued William and Emma Gardiner for £1 7s 6d. part of the wages for six days' work done for the defendants at the Show Grounds and Riccarton Racecourse. After some evidence had been heard, judgment was given for the defendants.

A DAMAGED CART. . 1 J. H. Hopkins (Mr Scott) sued John H 1 Baird (Mr Russell) for £12 bs. Defendant. 1 was delivering agent for Ho*pking and Co.,'. 1 and the sum in question was the cost of re- 1 pairs to a damaged trap, which had Qotwith 1 extensive, injuries through an attempt to I drive it- under the Railway Bridge, Opawa. I Tha bridge was stated to bo much kfflifcir I than the top of the vehicle, but Mr Ruaell 1 submiti ed that the man's orders were to t»Jb : 1 tlie nearest road from Radleigh to t-hd Pot-i ! terv Works. On reaching the bridge ha' j led the horse under it. and the trap struck a I large bolt, in the middle of it, which caused - tho damage. Baird wa-s strange to _» locality, and had not been warned about tfebridge, aud sui.ered considerable injuria himself from the accident. Defendant his. self deposed that lie had had no suspicion "o! any danger to the Hap. and took that psK ' lieuktr road because h. had been told tc : hurry. Mr Russell submitted that atmosti th_ accident, was die to an error ot"|ufa v ment. and not to negligence. The man _as a new hand, and Mr Hopkins, il awni. q{ the risk himself, should have cautioned tint' with - respect to the bridge, and if not mm of the risk, should not blame an employee fey . doing what he might have aono hMself. Mr Sen... submitted, thai defendant had been working for Hopkins and Co. for four 1 months, and had traversed most of the locs . lity. The Magistrate, thought that there* had been no negligence sufficient to uiaks Baird liable for the damage. Judgment was given for tho defendant. ALL Ml .ED ASSAULT. At the Ashburton Court, yesterday, be. fore Mr C. A..\Vray, S.M., James Munro was charged with assaulting Duncan Mac- j pherson Campbell, at Allenton, on Monday j last. Mr Wilding appeared for the com-plain-ant, accused, Munro, conducting his own oa.'-e. Cocnplainnnt deposed that ha was in the employ of Rainbow and Sons, Christchurch. as canvasser. AVhile on his rounds at Allenton on Monday last, called at Munro's mid after leaving was met oa. the road by accused. . lunro used threaten, ing laniguage, and struck the prosecutor several times, inflicting a cut on one of his ears. Munro accused him of ruderies. towards his wife. In his evidence James* Munro said 'his wife made complaints aboub * the. conduct of Campbell. He went in / pursuit of the man, and, meeting him,' asked him either to return with him (wit. nass) to his house or go to the police station. Used coercive measures, but j Campbell refused to go. Mrs Munro also i gave evidence, and stated that CivmpbeU I used certain words to her—an allegation that was emphatically denied by the com* ; plaiuunt- The Magistrate disauAsed th« information.