MAGISTERIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

Thursday, July 17. (Before H. S. Wardell, E»q., R.M.) ASSAULT ON THE POLICE.

H. Saunders, a stalwart individual was charged with the committal of an assault mi Constable Slight. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and added that he was exceedingly drunk at the time, and knew nothing of the matter. Constable Slight stated that he was conveying the prisoner to the lock-up on the charge of drunkenness on the previous evening, when Saunders struck him (witness) several blows In the back. His Worship sentenced the prisoner to a month’s incarceration with bard labor. MUTINOUS 00NTICT3. Robert Robertson, a convict at present undergoing a term of seven years’ penal servi. tude, was placed in the dock on the informa* tion of Mr P, S. Garvey, chief officer in charge of Mount Cook Prison, charged with open incitement to mutiny in the prison. P. S. Garvey gave evidence that ho held a warrant for the detention ol Robert Robertson, on a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, for robbery with violence. On Monday last the prisoner was in the exercise yard of Mount Cook Prison, through which two warders were escorting, by witnesses’ orders, a refractory prisoner to his cell. The prisoner, Robertson, rushed forward and caught hold of one of the warders, who fell to the ground. There were about 60 convicts in the exercise yard at the time, and there appeared to be a spirit of mutiny amongst the prisoners, and but for great firmness being exercised by the officers the consequences might have been exceedingly serious. The convict Robertson was a troublesome prisoner, and bad frequently been punished for breaches of prison regulations. William John Simmonds, also a convict at presant undergoing a sentence of three years’ peual servitude, was tbeu put forward al*o charged with open incitement to mutiny in the Mount Cook Prison, and pleaded not guilty. The evidence in this case was similar to that given in the former case, with the exception that it was proved that the prisoner caught hold of the refractory convict, and attempted to rescue him from the warders. Corroborative evidence was given by Warder Wood. The prisoner Simmonds stated that be merely went to protect a feilow prisoner from being kicked by another warder, and he had no idea of mutinying. Some time ago in February, 1883, he thought ho (Simmonds) had been kicked by the same warder, who also jumped on him in his cell. Ho made a complaint against this warder to two visiting justices, to the prison doctor, and also to the Inspector of Prisons, Captain Hume, but he got no redress, in fact he was accused of in. subordination, and severely punished, although he had committed no breach of the prison regulations. The prisoner made a rambling statement as to bla treatment, and also to the other convicts ia Mount Cook Prison, Mr Wardell, R.M., said that the offences with which the prisoners had been charged were very serious offences, as, but for the good sense of the convicts in the exercise yard, and the firmness of the warders, a very serious mutiny might have occurred. He felt compelled to pass a severe sentence upon the prisoner, viz , bread and water diet for fourteen days. Simmonds would be deprived of his good conduct marks for three months, and Robertson for six months. VALUELESS CHEQUES. Charles Webb pleaded' guilty to three charges of obtaining money by means of valueless cheques. Alfred Leech gave evidence that on the 15th instant the prisoner called at his house, the Branch Hotel, and presented a cheque bearing the signature of Charles Webb for £1 10a which witness cashed Thomas White, landlord of the Bank Hotel, stated that the prisoner had been staying at his hotel for about 12 days. On the 14th of the present month the accused tendered him two cheques, one for £3 and the other lor £1 10s, which amounts were paid to the prisoner. Chief Detective Browne stated that the accused had formerly been a member of the A. C. Force, but had latterly given way to drink. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to one month’s imprisonment on each charge, the sentence to be cumulative. FAILING TO PROVIDE, George McSweeney, a very young man, pleaded guilty to the charge of having failed to contriunts towards the support of his illegitimate child born to him at Christchurch. The defendant stated that he intended to marry the mother of the child, and be was therefore remanded to Christchurch, in order that he might be enabled to carry out the undertaking, CIVIL CASES. Judgment in the following ca«ea was given for the plaintiffs :—R. C. Toulson v. E. Toomath, £lO 10s; Zohrab, Newman, and Co. v. B. Williamson, £2O 14s ; Wellington Meat Preserving Company v. Edwards, £3 14s 5d ; Turnbull, Smith, and Co. v. J. Dawson, £4 8a; J. A. Moorhouse v. W. Whisker, £72 ; R. Hannah and Co. v. A. Piebig, £ls ; Pallant Bros, v, P. Hansen, £l2 8s 2d. W. Malcolmson v. J. McDowell, £54 15s 6d. Plaintiff was nonsuited, with costs. Mr Bell appeared for plaintiff and Mr Stafford for defendant.