RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1192, 4 February 1864, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.

CiIIiISTCIIL'UCII.— Ti:i;sdav, Fbkmjauy % (Uc-fore Joseph IJriltan, Esq., It.M.) ► ASSAII.T. r f MeKercher appeared to answer the charge <>' liaving assaulted Thomas Hetherington. ■'Ir.(lakes appeared for the complainant: from his "ottiiioiit it appeared that the defendant had gone !' l , I'ritish Hotel, on the 23rd nit., and had asS'Uilteii the complainant by striking him on the ear. , J lie defendant admitted the assault, but expressed contrition, and added that Ue willing to make an "I'Ology. Resident Magistrate said he thought that this l, w the best course lobe pursued; the parties were 'Wgnbors, and it was a pity that there should be J n - V !l, 'iniosity between them. McKercher had con-/-'V;'.' 1 t ' iat ' ie was in the wrong, and had tendered a !»■Mic apology. e (:,i| aplainant having refused to accede to this iiPK e ? ti(,n ' '' 1(: Resident Magistrate observed that r ri "° (,^ier alternative but to hear the case. |be complainant was accordingly sworn, and . that on the day mentioned the defendant ,' lnie <0 the private room at the British Hotel, where ''jv^M'hunant^va ß sitting, at about 11.30 p.m., and Kw] liim ( 0 serve j,j m w ith some drink. Complain- ' 1 refused, as it was so late, upon which the defenftnt, who was slightly intoxicated, struck him two [' ent blows on the ear, knocking him off his chair. hat was damaged in the fray, and he suffered Uc h pain from the blows. He had been deaf ever "jte the occurrence. ooine evidence having been adduced in support of "'fc charge, A'he Resident Magistrate 9aid that it was evident at an assault had been committed, and one of a janton and unprovoked character. It was sad to „ ?,. a man in defendant's position so far forget himj • The complainant had suffered both pain and °ss, for which he was entitled to compensation, and l(! (the H.M.) should give a decision in his favor, *nu order the defendant to pay him £5 The defendant must also pay the costs.'

.. DEBT. fteveral cases of debt were disposed of, but they ere altogether without interest.