RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3655, 2 April 1883, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Day. '" (Before Captain Preeco, R.At.) ! ALLEGED DESERTION CASE. Robert Somerville, avlio avus represented by his solicitor, Air Lee, Avas charged on the complaint of his Avifo. Aim Somerville, under the provisions of the Destitute Persons Act, AA'ith haA-ing deserted and left destitute his six children, he being in a position to support them. Air Lee pleaded not guilty, and applied for an adjournment of the case. He Avas only instructed by post on Saturday evening, and Avas, therefore, not fully prepared to defend tho action to-day. The allegation that the defendant Avas in a position to maintain his family would be a rather difficult one to prove. The defendant, as a matter of fact, was only earning £1 a week at present, and but for the kindness of some friends in Christchurch, Avhcrc he Avas living j i ist hoav , he might haAX- starved during the long time he had to Avalk about there idle. A deed of separation [produced] betAveen the plaintiff and defendant had been duly executed some mouths ago, and he (Air Lee) Avas prepared to prove that a thorough breach of the arrangements then entered into had taken place on the part of tho plaintiff and her mother. It would be necessary that he (Air Lee) should appear'as a witness m the case, A\-hicli would necessitate the employment of another solicitor for the defence. Airs Somerville said the deed had been signed under a misapprehension, and in ignorance of its exact provisions. After some consideration of the matter the case was adjourned by the Court until Monday, 10th instant. DRUNKENNESS. John Pearson pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, aud Avas fined 5s and costs, with the usual alteruatiA'c. The fine was paid. BREACH OF 11AILAVAY ISYE-LAAVS. John Connor A\*as charged Avith having, on the llth ultimo, committed a nuisance on the platform of-i raihvay _ carriage on the Najiier line near Port Ahuriri. There Avas no appearance of the defendant.

E\*ideneQ having been given by Guards Gibbs and Gardner a fine of £1 and costs was impose 1; in default of payment defendant to be imprisoned for seven days Avith hard labor. The Court then rose.