LOCAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 57, 10 May 1866, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, This Day. [Before J. Poynter, Esc[., K. M.] A MATRIMONIAL FRACAS. A person named John Higgins was placed in the dock, on a charge of taking from the house of Henry Adams, late keeper of an oyster saloon, three boxes, and a bag, containing wearing apparel belonging to the complainant's wife. The Magistrate : This is a criminal case, how is it that no information has been laid against the man ? I can't hear it without an information. Mr. Kingdon said, I think if your worship learns the facts, you will think that an information was not needed. The accused was - acting in the capacity of a servant, and was under the control of the wife. Be did not break open the door, it was opened by the ■woman. The Magistrate : I can't go on with the case without an information, why did uot Mr. Adams lay one? Complainant: I am at a loss to know how to act in the matter or in what shape to lay an information. The Magistrate : If your property was taken away and you know who took it you can lay an information against that person. Complainant ; I can swear to my property which was taken away, but I don't know who took it or that it was found in possession of the prisoner, who was seen in a cab taking it away. The Magistrate : If you believe that he took it away, this may lead to a case that may be heard here. Mr. Kingdon : It would save the time of the Court to hear what the woman has to say about the affair. It will be seen that the prisoner acted entirely under her directions. The Magistrate : There may be reasons why the prisoner is not to blame. Was he a servant of complainant ? Complainant : The prisoner was a servant and subject to the direction of my wife. The Magistrate : Then I must order his discharge if that is the case. If he was ordered by your -wile, there is clearly no case against him. Complainant : This was the fact, and I therefore drop the case. Mr. Ivingdon : But your worship, the woman claims her clothing. She was turned out of the house with nothing but what she stood upright in, and she wants to get it back. Her husband locked the door and she opened the window. She now applies to the bench to award her clothing. The Magistrate : I can't interfere in these family quarrels. You are aware that all the property bulongs to the husband. Mr. Kingdon : The husband is bound to maintain his wife, and ought not to be allowed to leave the province, as he intends to do, without finding sureties that he will make some provision for her. Mrs. Adams : I now apply for an allowance. The Magistrate : You know I cannot make you agree if you quarrel ; of course you can apply for an allowance. Mr. Kingflon : — He has threatened to sell everything and clear out of the colony. The Magistrate: The woman can lay an information for a maintenance it she likes. Complainant : I can find any sureties your worship may require. I can bring witnesses to prove that money was offered me, but I would not do it. Mrs. Adams was proceeding to give his worship a confidential relation of her domestic troubles, and was informed by him that if she was married she had a right to her clothes and maintenance. The parties then left the court with a view to ulterior proceedings, the precise nature of which time can alone disclose. The accused was discharged, the property remaining in possession of the police. Resident Magistrate's Court. — In the following cases, yesterday, judgment was given for plaintiff': — Jennings v. Stock, £10 10s. ; Evan v. Lockett, £6 ; Leach v. Cator, £o 12s. ; Solomon v. Ellis, £4= Is. ; Nicholson v. Bradley, £o ss. ; Harvey v. Bumford, £9 3s. lid. ; 'Warden v Jago, £5. One of the domestic servants who were brought to this place from Sydney in the j

'Otago last month by Mrs. Flood, by some means lost at the port the box which contained the greatest portion of her clothing. We observe that some kindly-disposed people have got up a lottery, the proceeds of which are to assist in replacing the unfortunate girl's loss. There are over 40 prizes, in value Is. to 10s. each, which will be drawn at the Nelson Hotel, on Saturday evening next. /^Carbiagb Accident.— As Mr. M'Farlane /of the Motueka district, was driving a horse /and buggy down College-hill, this morning, / the horse ran away and upset the buggy op- ' posite the Rising Sun, breaking the shafts. The sagacious animal on recovering from his j surprise, walked up to the door of the hotel, Sas though it was a proper place to recruit after such a feat. Band of Hope. — The usual fortnightly meeting was held last evening in the Temperance Hall, which was crowded to excess. The meeting opened with singing and prayer. The entertainment consisted of the exhibition of various new slides in the magic lantern, which was ably arranged by Mr. W". C. Wilkins. A great many children took the pledge. "We hear that the next meeting will be upon the Queen's birthday, when there is expected to be a grand display. The Grey River Argus contains the prospectus of a company which is being formed at Greymouth under the title of the "Grey Eiver Coal Mining aud Gas Company," under the terms of the "Limited Liability Act." The Capital is to be £50,000, in 5,000 shares of £10 each, with power to increase to £100,000. The objects are stated to be — First, the working of the valuable seam of coal on the north side of the River Grey, West Coast of New Zealand, an area of 137 acres of which has been leased by the Government to the promoters. Second, the construction of a line of light railway to the Port of Greymouth for the conveyance of coal to the place of shipment. Third, the jmi'chase of a steam-tug to be available for every purpose, and for towing vessels in aud out the port ; also of two colliers for the colonial trade. Fourth, the erection of Gas Works in the Town of Greymouth. Mr. Pitt of this City is the solicitor to the Company, and Mr. Tatton, is to be superintendent of- the gas works. The offices are in Boundary-street, Greymouth.