RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 61, 15 March 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Dat. (Before Mr. Edward Shaw, R.M.) A BUPPOSBD LUNATIC. Michael Hanratty, on remand, was brought up on suspicion of being- a lunatic, and was discharged. His Worship advised Hanratty to be very careful as to his future mode of life. VAQEAKCT. Samuel Taylor, a deaf old man, waa charged with having no lawful visible means of support. It was Btated that the defendant had been Bleeping in the bush near the Botanic Gardens for the past three or four nigbts ; he waa ontirely without means. He expressed his willingness to work if employment could be obtained for him, and the Magistrate remanded him till to-morrow to Bee if work could be procured on his behalf. THE PAWNBBOKEB'S ORDINANCE. Morris Hyams, for whom Mr. Cutten appeared, was charged on the infortnationa of

Jamoa Day (1) with demanding and rocoiv ing from the informant a profit exceeding the rate of la 4d per month por £ over and above tho sum advanced on a certain pledge ; and (2] with failing to give the informant a propei pledge ticket at the time of advancing the money. Day, who is a labourer, residing in Herbert-street, deposed that on the 22nd November, he pawned a watch at the defendant's establishment for the sum of 18s. He redeemed the pledge on the 19th nit., wher the defendant demanded and received from him the sum of 235. Witness told defendant that he had charged Is too much, and muttered something about placing the matter in the hands of the police, when Hyams offered to return Is, whioh, however, was declined. The defendant denied this statement, and produced his books to show that he received 22s from Day, and not 235. With regard to the second information, it appeared from the evidence of William Gifford, a waiter, employed at the Nag's Head Hotel, Cuba-street, that the rate of intereat was omitted from the ticket isßued at the time of advancing the money. Hyams produced the ticket in Court. The rate of interest was filled in. He said that to the best of his recollection the ticket was now in the same condition aa when he isßued it to Day. His Worship thought a doubt existed in regard to the first information, which was dismissed. On the other information Hyams was fined £5 and costs. BREACHES OF BY-LAWS. Arthur Hasell, for driving round a street corner at other than a walking pace, waa fined 10s and coats. Thomas Großß, who pleaded guilty to a charge of driving after sunset without lights, waa ordered to pay 1b without costs. THE ASYLUM BNQUIBY. Ellen Frost, Mary O'Kane, and Ellen Nolan appeared on remand charged, on the information of John Henry Whitelaw, with cruelly ill-treating a female patient confined in the Mouat View Lunatic Asylum. They were represented by. the Hon. Mr. Buckley. The case was further postponed for four weeks. THE STAMP ACT. C. Cheymol was oharged with a breach of this Act, by writing and signing a receipt for the payment of i 36 without the same being duly stamped. The receipt was jnven to one Edward iSymon. Mr. Ollivier appeared for the defendant, and applied for a remand till to-morrow. He admitted there had boon a breach of the Act, but hoped to be in a position to explain the circumstances under which the receipt waa given, with a view to a minimum penalty being imposed. The application was granted. THE STEAM-LAUNCH LARA. William M'Kiegan was oharged with having, on the 26th ultimo, he being the master of a steam-launoh called the Lara, plied on the Wellington harbor with passengers without having a certificate, aa provided for by the 189 th section of the Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1877, applicable to the excursion on which the said steamship did then proceed, put up in some conspicuous part of the vessel, contrary to the 195 th section of the Act. Mr. Izard, for the prosecution, did not press for a heavy penalty, and Mr. Buckley, for tho defendant, promised that the offence Bhould not be repeated. Defendant was fined Is and £2 lla costs. THB THORNDON CLUB. William Ebdon was charged, on the information of John Strike, with Belling one bottle of gin, one of whisky, and one of brandy, without a license. Mr. Forward defended. The informant, who is the steward of the Thorndon Club, stated that Ebden supplied him with the liquor on the 18th December last, for whioh the defendant received 15b, and the police authorities showed that Ebden's license expired in August. In reply to his Worship, Strike said there were about 200 members of the club, who subscribed sixpence each per quarter. Members wore allowed to introduce ladies and ask them to have a glass of wine. Meals were also provided at the club. To Mr. Forwood, he added that Ebden had recently distrained on his goods and chattels for the club's debts, but repudiated the insinuation that this act on the part of the defendant had impelled him to lay the present information. Tho cose was adjourned till to-morrow. This concluded the business.