THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 7286, 10 August 1887, Page 2

THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

SUPREME COURT.—CIVIL SITTINGS,

Wednesday, August 10.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice iVilJiafhs \ . H. Benjamin v, Isabella JohnStonf. and OTHERS.—An interpleader a'u'mmons to determine the, ownership of a piano claimed by Margaret Johnstone. Mr Denmston appeared oh behalf of Margaret Johnstone, and Mr Stanford for Mr Benjamin and the sheriff.

The particulars of this pane were as follows: —An aptlon was brought on the 14th of January last by Mr Benjamin, against Isabella Johnstone, the mother of Margaret Johnstone (the claimant in the present proceedings), for money due as one of the sureties for a loan to another person, In the Court below judgment was given for Mr Benjamin, and execution was issued against the property of Isabella Johnstone, when a piano was seised belonging, as the claimant alleged, to herself, Margaret Johnstone. Margaret Johnstone, the claimant, deposed that the piano that had been seized was her property, anil did not belong to her mother. She had bought it with L3O sent to her by her father as a present for the purpose, and the balance was paid for by herself out of her own wages, in monthly instalments. Witness produced receipts showing that the piano had been purchased in the name of the claimant. This closed the ease for the claimant.

Isabella Johnstone, who was called by Mr Johnstone, admitted that she had signed promissory notes for money to her brother in-law and to one of her husband’s friends. She corroborated the evidence given by the previous witness. Henry Benjamin was called, and gave evidence respecting the loans made. His Honor gave judgment in favor of the claimant, ordering that the piano should go to the claimant, with costs against the defendant (four guineas), disbursements, and witnesses’ expenses. H. Benjamin v. Isabella Johnstone.— Au •interpleading summons to determine the ownership of certain household property claimed by the husband, James Johnstone. Mr Denniston appeared for the claimant, and Mr Stanford for M r Benjamin. CITY POLICE COURT. (Before Messrs A. J. Burns, R. Chisholm, and A, Christophers, J.P.s.) Breach of the Peace. —Patrick M'Qowen and Dick Mann Lee were charged with behaving in Princes street at 1.40 this morning in a manner calculated to provoke a breach of the peace.—The evidence showed that the men were fighting, but that the Celestial had merely struck a blow in self-defence. —Sergeant-major Bevin said that when not interfered with the Chinese were a most inoffensive race. Fighting was the last thing they thought of.—The Bench said that they considered M‘Gowen the aggressor, and he would be fined ss, iu default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. The other defendant was discharge!.