RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4275, 2 December 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, December 1. (Before J. 0. Crawford, Esq,, E.M.) ASSAULT. James Wilkins charged Maurice Cronan with assaulting him on the 19 th November. Mr. Allan appeared for Cronan. The prosecutor deposed that he was coming home from his work on the evening in question, when he met the defendant, who was carrying two pieces of timber on his shoulder. As complainant passed him he swung the timber round, and struck him on the neck. He was sure he did it purposely, and he remonstrated with him, whereupon defendant spat in his face, and threatened to put his fist in his eye. In cross-examination the witness said he was bound over to keep the peace towards Cronan. He did not abuse him, or say a word to him. The witness's daughter corroborated her father’s statements. She said Cronan had used wicked words towards her father, A cross action having been laid, the plaintiff and defendant changed places. Maurice Cronan deposed that on the afternoon in question Wilkins had used threatening language towards him. He was carrying some timber on his shoulder, when he met the defendant, who had crossed the road purposely to abuse him. He called him an “Irish paddy,” and told him he would not forget the Supreme Court affair, and stated his intention of “ having it in for him yet.” The prosecutor did not strike the defendant with the timber, neither did ho use bad language. The defendant here put some most irrelevant questions to the witness, and among others he asked him—“ Did you not play first fiddle in the cow tragedy affair V’ which witness answered in the negative. In other questions which he put, he mysteriously introduced the Supreme Court, cows, water, fencing, poison, and several other matters, to the intense amusement of all present. George Lomas, a lad, was called, but he knew little about the affair. The defendant inquired of this witness if he did not frequent a low public-house, play billiards, drink -whole pints of beer-, smoke, stop out late at night, &c., which the lad negatively answered. His Worship failed to see the benefit of such cross-examination. He said the whole evidence was exceedingly contradictory, and Wilkins appeared to be under an hallucination as to what really did occur at the alleged assault. However, his little daughter had in a measure borne out his statement. The case was a complicated puzzle ; and he would advise one of the parties to change his residence to another part of the town. Both cases were dismissed. ALLEGED CARD SHARPING. Solomon Collins, Alfred Drake, and Nathan Simpson, were charged by the police with having, on the 25th November, fraudulently and unlawfully obtained £l2 from Harry C. Williams at a certain game of cards called “ poker.” Mr. Allan appeared to defend the prisoners, all of whom pleaded not guilty. The Inspector stated that a subpoma had been issued for the appearance of Williams, who was not, however, to be found. The summons had been left at his known place of residence. Every effort had been made to find Williams, but without success. He would request that a warrant should issue, and applied for a remand till Monday, which was granted. The prisoners were admitted to bail, themselves in £SO each, with one surety for £SO each.