THE COURTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8968, 19 April 1890, Page 3

THE COURTS.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. Friday, April 18. (Before Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., and Mr A. Young, J.P.) Drunkenness. —A first offender, who bad been remanded from Wednesday last for medical treatment, was brought up, and was discharged on payment of tlif; expenses incurred on his behalf. Shooting out of Season. —William Cruickshank, charged with having committed a breach of the Animals Protection Act on the 4th instant by killing one quail, was fined 10s and costs, 7s. For a second charge of a similar nature, Cruickshank was also fined 10s and costs, 7s. Trespassing. —Thomas Greatbatch, a youth, was charged with having on the 7th instant, trespassed on the property of James Cruickshank, at the Upper Hutt, with intent to shoot gam u . After hearing evidence his Worship dismissed the case. Failing to Comply. —Matthew Edward Pickering did not appear to answer a charge of having failed to comply with a maintenance order for the support of his wife and family. The arrears were stated to be about L 75. The Bench sentenced the defendant to six months’ imprison ment with hard labour.

Breaking and Entering.— George Smith, on remand from the previous day, was charged with having on the night of Wednesday last broken into the promises of Mrs Elvina Knigge, restaurant keeper, of Wil is street, and stolon therefrom a fur cloak, a silk dress and body. Sergeant Morice prosecuted, and Mr Coates defended, Agnes Smith, who is employed at the restaurant, gave evidence to seeing the accused at the rear of the restaurant about 11 p.m. He must have come in the back way, as she would have seen him if he had entered by the front door. She did not see him avain until he was brought to the restaurant about half an hour afterward by Constable Creeks. William Thomas, a, boarder at the restaurant, also gave evidence. Frank Nainby, who resides in Taranaki street, stated that while going along Wilbs street after 11 o’clock on Wednesday' night the accused ran past him, and shortly after he heard cries of “Stop thief.” Mrs Knigge then came up and informed witness of the robbery. By this time the accused came running down the street again, and witness went across the road to stop him, when the accused gave him a severe blow in the face. They had a short scuffle, and a constable then came up and arrested Smith. Constable Creeks having given evidence, the Bench committed the accused for trial. Bail was allowed—the accused in a sum of LIOO and two sureties of LSO each.

Forgery. —Richard Hicks was charged with having on the 15th instant forged and uttered a promissory note for LlO. Detective Kirby prosecuted, and Mr Coates defended. Evidence was given by Callaghan, coal merchant, Courtenay place, who had known the accused for about eight months, to the effect that the signature “ John Callghans ” to the promissory note produced was not his. There was no final “s ” to bis name. Joseph Stacey, bricklayer, denied that the endorsement on the back of the note was bis. P. A. Rive, secretary of the Wellington Loan Company, stated that the accused bad called at the office on the 15tb and presented the note, stating that the acceptor of the bill, John Callaghan, was his brother-in-law, and Stacey, the endorser, was also a connection of his by marriage. Witness did not discount the bill, but requested the accused to call next morning, and in the meantime he banded the note to Detective Campbell. Detective Campbell deposed to arresting the accused. His Worship committed the accused for trial. Bail was allowed, the accused in a sum of LBO, and two sureties of L4O each. Maliciously Wounding. —Mr Jellicoe informed Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., that Mrs Lavinia Smith, who is charged with maliciously wounding Mrs Isabel Ritson, and whose case was to have been heard yesterday, had left for Sydney by the s.s. Mararoa. He asked that a new warrant should be issued in order that the accused might be arrested on her arrival in Sydney to-day. His Worship granted the application, remarking that as the prosecution was a private one all expenses incurred in bringing Mrs Smith back would have to be borne by the pro* senuting party. Subsequently the joint charge against Mrs Smith and Mrs Rachael Ackroyd, of having on the Bth inst unlawfully and maliciously wounded Mrs Ritson, was adjourn'd for a month, in consequence of the absence cf Mrs Smith. Mrs Ackroyd was allowed bail as before. Mr Travers appeared for the defendants. Civil Cases. —The evidence of the defendant was taken in the case of G. Jervis, of Westport, v. W. McLeod, a claim of Ll 4 17s 6d. Mr Coates (in structed by Messrs Haselden and Thompson) appeared for the defendant. The evidence of the defendant in another case, J. Conway, of Bulls, v. D. Robertson, claim L 35, which is to be heard at Bulls, was also taken. Mr Skerrett appeared for the plaintiff.