RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5332, 17 March 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Saturday, March 15. (Before R. Stuart, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. George Johnson was charged with being drunk and using obscene language in Hastings-street. He said he was never in Court before. The charge of drunkenness against him was dismissed, but for the other offence he was fined 40s, or in default 24 hours. Ann Harris, charged with drunkenness, was fined ss, or in default 24 hours. Patrick Crystal, alias James Clarke, was charged with using insulting and abusive language at Taradale. The constable stated that prisoner was endeavoring to get up a quarrel with a Maori, and using foul language near M'Donald's hotel. . Fined 40s, or in default fourteen days with hard labor. Richard Green, for drunkenness, was fined 5s or 24 hours. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. Two cases of this nature were heard, being cross actions brought by two Scandinavian women, Bodil KristineKristiansen and Anna Dennisen. Mr Lee was for the former, and Mr Macdonald for the latter. Mrs Kristiansen stated that on the day in question her little boy was lying outside a fence at the Western Spit. She heard his cries, and then saw that Mrs Dennisen was kicking him. She then went to the boy's assistance, when Mrs Denniaen called her a thief and a and used other foul language. Alexander Tod, wheelwright, stated that he was engaged painting Johnstone's Ferry Hotel on the day of the quarrel. He could not understand what was said, but there was a great noise. He heard Mrs Dennisen, and also her father, use foul language to Mrs Kristiansen. He told them it was a shame for three of them to attack a little woman like Mrs Kristiansen. Peter Martin, for the defence, stated that the child was not struck at all by Mrs Dennisen, and that it was Mrs Kristiansen who had used the bad language to Mrs Dennisen,

Anna Dennisen deposed that the plaintiff's boy was pelting stones^ but she never struck him. When she complained to his mother she called her some very foul names. She denied altogether having called Mrs Kristianaen the names complained of.'-.' . His " Worship said there appeared ; to have been a scrimmage all around. He would dismiss the case, each side to pay its own costs, ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD. George Prior Donnelly and Joseph Price were charged for having, on or about 24th February, 1877, at Hastings, Unlawfully and wickedly conspired and agreed together to falsely extort money from one ■ Renata Kawepo by means of a fictitious sale of certain horses known as Otupai and - Tawera, then the property of the aforesaid G. P. Donnelly. Mr Rees was for the prosecution ; Mr Cornford appeared for Mr Donnelly ; Mr Lascelles for Mr Price. Mr Cornford applied for an adjournment of the case on the ground that he had had no time to prepare it or to get some important witnesses. Mr Rees, whilst not objecting to the adjournment, said he would make a liberal offer to the other side. He would aßk that all his evidence be heard, as his witnesses were all in attendance, and he would then give counsel on the opposite side a week to get up the defence. Mr Cornford objected to this, as he would not be in a position to crossexamine Mr Rees's witnesses. The case was eventually adjourned till Monday next, the 24th instant.