RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 516, 22 May 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Djlt. (Before Mr. Mansford, R.M.) DRUKKENNESS. Morton Quinn was convicted of drunkenness, and was fined 10s or 48 hours' imprisonment. Mary Anne Mason admitted that she was guilty of a similar offence, and was fined 5s or 24 hours' imprisonment. Jessie Walker, wbo was out on bail and did not appear, was fined 10s or 48 hours' imprisonment for a similar offence. THB ADELAIDE BANKRUPT. Frederick Gleich was charged with fraudulent bankruptcy in Adelaide. Mr. Bell, for the prosecution, asked the Court to commit the prisoner. Mr. Gordon Allan, for the defence, asked upon what Act Mr. Bell relied. Mr. Bell— The Foreign Offenders Act, 1863, and the Fraudulent Debtors Act, 1878. Ho submitted that under the last named Act the offence was both a misdemeanor and a felony, and his Worship would be quite justified in committing tha prisoner. He asked leave to make a technical amendment in the warrant. Mr. Allan objected to any amendment being made. He also submitted that under the Foreign Offenders Act, 1863, his Worship could not commit the prisoner, and he held that the man should be discharged from custody. He hoped that the man would not be smuggled out of the colony by the Government until he (Mr. Allan) had had an opportunity of testing the question in the Supreme Court. His Worship did not think Mr. Allan was justified in making any such remarks, or in using such strong language. The proceedings were all above board and open to the public, If the prisoner were committed he would be taken away by Sunday's steamer, and in the meantime Mr. Allan would have every opportunity of takiDg any further steps he thought proper in regard to the matter. Mr. Allen said he intended to test the question in the Supreme Court, and he did not wish the prisoner to be taken away until he had had an opportunity of doing so. Atter some further conversation, Mr. Bell withdrew his application for leave to amend the warrant. His Worship said the evidence which he had heard would have been sufficient to justify him in committing the prisoner for trial if the offence had been committed in this colony, -and therefore he would have to go to gaol pending the arrival of the Governor's warrant for his removal to Adelaide. Mr. Allan said the point he intended to raise in the Supreme Court was that the proceedings, having been taken under the Foreign Offenders Act, were illegal. He intends to apply for a writ of habeas corpus at once.