The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1869. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 292, 14 December 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1869. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Before J. Shaep, Esq, E.M., and C. Broad, Esq., R:M. This Day. James Gilbert was charged with assaulting P. C. Cooper while in execution of his duty. John Cooper sworn : I was on duty early, on Sunday-tnorning in Bridge-street, when I saw prisoner and another coming down Trafalgar-street. They commenced quarelling and using abusive language when I told them to pass on. They did so and I went on my beat down the Haven-road. On my return I saw the same men standing near Hounsell's store in Bridge-street. Prisoner came up and seized me by the arm and the other mat) struck me several times on the face. We had a struggle and all threei of us fell. Prisoner kicked me oo the ribs several times whilst his mate held me down by the throat. As soon as my throat was released I culled out "murder," when Mr. Wilkie came running down the street. When the men saw assistance coming they bolted. I blew my whistle and Constable Dixon came up and shortly after arrested prisoner in a house next to the Victoria Hotel. I had seen 'prisoner previously at the Victoria when I went to close it at half-past eleven. I had told him before this that I had joined the Police force. I was not in uniform at the time. Prisoner stated that he did not know Cooper was a constable. He had nothing to say with reference to the assault. His Worship said that it appeared a most unprovoked attack had been committed, and that he did not think the ends of ! justice would be met by the infliction of a fine. The police must be protected, particularly just now when there was so small a force in the town; he should therefore sentence the prisoner to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. Franz Henry Jacobsen, an able seaman belonging.to the barque Hera, was charged with desertion. Ordered to be sent on board, the expenses attendant on his arrest to be deducted from his wages. George Edward Donnelly, formerly master of the schooner E. U. Cameron, was charged with deserting his wife at Canterbury; Prisoner, who had been apprehended under a warrant from Lyttelton, was remanded to Canterbury.