RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Monday, May 19. (Before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2200, 20 May 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Monday, May 19. (Before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M.)

DBtmuonraM. Findlaj Bpmc* eharjpd with this offene*, on to* pMTioot night, did nut m>mw. Tb» HifpstnU inflioUd % fin*

BKBACS OF KiUWIT BY-I^WB. Roderick M'Kenzi* wu charged witk with oaring on the 10th inst. crowd the railway line in Thames atr—t while ao •ngin* *»« approaebin^ oontaraiy to law.

Inspector Thompson prosecuted. Defendant'! Ron, who appeared on his behalf, pleaded that his father was not of Tery sound mind, and could not be held accountable for the act. The Magistrate said he had himself seen the defendant a few days ago, and although he had been made aware of the matter, he certainly failed to observe anything in defendant's manner to lead to the belief that ho was Hot of sound mind. It was necessary, also, before a plea of this kind could be admitted, to hare the evidence of a duly qualified medical man to support it. Inspector Thompson remarked that if it was true, as stated, that the defendant was not in a sound state of mind, it was a pity he was allowed to go about to the danger of his life and limbs. He asked the Bench to hear the evidence for the prosecution, and a remand could if required be afterwards granted. The Magistrate assented to this course, and Inspector Thompson called Thomas Wildish, watchman at the Thames street crossing, who deposed that on the 10th inst. he saw the defendant coming in the direction of the line as the 3.52 South train was crossing. Witness called out to him, but he paid no attention, and stepped across the rails when the engine was within half-a-dozen yards of him. Witness spoke to him about it, but could not get a satisfactory answer. The case was adjourned till Thursday, 'to allow the defence an opportunity to obtain medical testimony as to the state of the defendant's mind.