RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. THIS DAY,

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 33, 10 February 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. THIS DAY,

(Before Mr. Edward Shaw, E.M.) A WAIF. Walter Vile, a boy, waa brought up, on remand, charged with having been found illegally on premises, and was ordered on board the barque Australind, on which vessel a berth hud been found for him. THE STAMP ACT. John Pftton Watt on remand, wan charged

with a breftoh of the 108 th flection of this Act, by omitting to file with the Commissioner of Stamps, within sir months < from the granting of letters of administration, a statement in writing in respect of the property for which such administration had beon granted. Mr. Brandon, jun., appearod for the defendant, who admitted the offence, which ho said had been committed in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining the necessary forms at Wanganui, of which place he was a resident. Mr. Izard, for the prosecution, did not press for a heavy penalty, this being the first case of the kind brought before the Court. At the same time he wished to state that the defendant had put the Government to a great deal of trouble and expense in this matter. Twelve months had elapsed since administration was granted. His Worship decided to fine the defendant £2, and JB2 costs. Albert Barnes, similarly charged, was ordered to pay the same amount. A BAILOE AND HIB WIFE. John Davies, formerly a seaman on board the Manawatu, was charged, on the information of Mr. A. G. Johnson, the Believing Officer, with wilfully neglecting to provide adequate means for the support of his wife (Maria Davies) and her infant child. Mrs. Davies said her husband sent her down to Lyttelton a month ago, but she returned to Wellington a fortnight back. During the past month he had failed to contribute to her support in any way, although he knew that Bhe was in destitute circumstances. Michael Quin deposed that he found the woman in one of his cottages, lying on the bare floor, without any bedclothes to cover her, with scarcely a stick of furniture in the house, and without food. The woman was very deaf and partly silly. Mr. Johnson said tbat ? on the circumstances being reported to him, he interviewed Davies to sco if ho could not bring about a settlement of the matter. Davies said he was the victim of domestic unhappinesa, and that he would not csntribute to his wife's support unless he was compelled to do so. The defendant said the reason he had for refusing to maintain his wife was because he caught her having improper intercourse with a stranger last Christmas. Ho had forgiven her for a similar offence once before that. The woman admitted that men hod been in her house several times during her husband's absence, bnt nothing improper took place on those occasions. His Worship ordered the defendant, whose name appears in the list of seamen who forsook the Manawatu on the 2nd instant, as reported elsewhere, to pay .£1 per week, and find a surety for JJSO for the dne payment of the Instalments ; in default, to be sentenced to six months' hard labor. Davioa said he was out of employment. Mr. Shaw, therefore, allowed him a fortnight's grace to find a Burety. ____________