THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 8716, 7 January 1892, Page 2

THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Messrs W. L. Simpson and E. J. Spence, J.P.S)

Judgment was given for plaintiffs for the amount claimed, with costs, by default in the following oases:—D. Sutherland v. Alexander Shaw (Halfway fiush),L3 16s 9d, balance due for produce supplied (Mr Bowler for plaintiff;; Begg and Co. v. Joseph E. Kaye (Balclutha), L 6, balanoe due on a musical instrument; Otago Sohool Commissioners v. John Michael (Lawrence), L 8 19a, for rent due (Mr Sim for plaintiff); Dr Coughtrey v. Richard Norman (Napier), LI Us 6<l, for professional services (Mr Thornton for plaintiff); Jane Wilson v. Andrew E. Harris (ABhburton), Lls lis 2d, on adjustment of accounts (Mr Maodonald appeared herein); Williams and M'Mullen v. Robert Gowie, L 3 10s sd, on adjustment of accounts; Sarah Sommerville v, James Elliott, L2 2s, for attendance on defendant's wife (Mr Maodonald appeared for plaintiff, and explained that the amount claimed had been paid, but that there were costq still outstanding, and judgment was given for'these); G, P, Jjjager v. D. Grant (West Taieri), L 3 12), for board and lodging (Mr Solomon appeared for plaintiff). J. H. Churly v. Charles Borry.—Ll 0i 7d, for meat supplied. Mr Finch appeared for plaintiff, and defendant's wife appearing and admitting the claim, judgment was given accordingly. E, M'Millan v. John Puller.—Ll Bs, on a judgment summons. Mr Wilkinson appeared for plaintiff, and alter examining the defendant the Bench deoided to make an order that he pay the olaim by instalments of 2s 6d per week, the first payment to be made next Thursday, in default three days' imprisonment,

E J. Lawrence v. J*mes Aitcheson.— L 6 12a 3J, on a judgment summon?. Mr Solomon appeared for plaintiff.—la the course of his examination defendant admitted having been fined L 5 in the Police Court for gambling on the racecourse, but stated that ho had not paid the fine yet, nor had he been asked to do so. He had not earned over 10a a week for the last two years.—Mr Solomon, addressing the Bench : He goes to the racecourse for the purpose of gambling, and if a man has means to do that he has means to pay his debts. —Mr Simpson, to defendant: How much did you risk to try and earn something ?—Witness: Nothing at all.—Mr Simpson: How could you earn anything on the course without risking something ? Witness: I went there for the purpose of conducting sweeps, expecting to get something for doing so, I made myself a convenience for the public. I didn't go there for the purpose of spending money.—Mr Solomon said that the evidence of the police certainly was that these sweeps were not properly conducted, and that the people were cheated out of their money.—Mr Simpson considered that the publio must be very foolish if they trusted an insolvent man. It seemed a very improbable yarn that people would trust a man who oould not pay his debts with stakes.—Mr Solomon: That was the mistake Mr Lawrence made—trusting him with steals.—Witness : I am an honest man, and people trust me,—Mr Simpson: You may be honest in a oertain way—by not taking what is not your ownbut you have not given»us a certificate of it. I look upon it as a dishonest thing that you have not paid your creditors.—The case was finally adjourned for a week to allow of defendant producing a statement as to his earnings. G. F. Eager v. James B. Lindsay.—L4 7s 6d, for board and lodging.—Mr Solomon appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Thornton for defendant, who paid LI 13a 6d into Court. After evidence judgment was given for the plaintiff for the amount olaimed, with oosts, lesß the Bum paid into Court.

CITY POLICE COURT.

(Before MrT. M. Wilkinson, J.P.)

Dbunkenness —Three first offenders and Htnry M'Kinhy were convicted and discharged,

(Before Messrs H. F. Hardy and T. M, Wilkinson, J.P.s.)

A Chargr of Pocket-picking.— Collins sfto r ?t charged with attempting to steal the purse of Margaret Meikle at the Caledonian sports on the god inst., asked for a remand till Saturday, an he had no defence ready, and would like to Bee a friend who would get him a solicitor.—Chief-deteotive Henderson said that it was accused's own fault that he had not a solicitor. He had Silenty of money in his pocket, and had aid last night and again today, when asked, that be did not want a lawyer. If the friend he referred to was the man whp was in his oompany when arrested, he had cleared out. Perhaps the object of asking for a remand was in the nope of getting bail, but the Benoh would not, the polios hoped, grant bail to a man "on the wine."—Aotiased urged that he did not want bail, but that he waa entitled fco a couple of days' time to prepare bis defence.—The Banch intimated that they wonld like tp hear something about the oase before granting a. remand. Cbief-deteotive Henderson t I would rather you would hear all the case or i nothing of it.—The Benoh: Well, we will, defer ft tijl Saturday morning. j