MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 237, 25 January 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. [Before T. W. Parker, Esq., J.P.] DRUJTi. AND DISORDERLY. Edward Murphy and Oscar Brown, both pleaded " Guilty" to the above charge, and were discharged with a caution. NEGLECTED CHILDREN. Jane Elizabeth Bentley, aged eight years; George, aged six; and Ellen Moore Bentley, aged one year and eight months, were brought up and charged as neglected children. Sub-Inspector M'Cluskey stated that their father had deserted them, and Mrs. Bentley had been disposing of her articles of furniture, one by one, to provide food. Now, however, all was gone, and they were houseless and homeless. His Worship made an order for their admission into the Benevolent Institution. BREACH OF THE CORPORATION BYE-LAWS. Jarvis White was informed against by the Inspector of Nuisances for not keeping his yard clean. It appeared the nuisance complained against was the keeping of pigs, and as defendant has got rid cf the lot with the exception of two, and promised to part with them also, the Bench, adjourned the case until Monday, to allow cf an opportunity of doing so. TRESPASS. Patrick Minchin was charged, on the complaint of Thomas Jones, with trespassing upon Section 15, Block LXXII., now in occupation of the plaintiff. Mr. O'Meagher appeared for Jones, and said that plaintiff was in occupation of Sections 14, 15, 16, and 17, Block

LXXII. He rented Section 14 from Mr. Procter," and Section 15 from Mr. T. Everett. On the first inst. defendant crossed over Section 15, broke part of the fence, and threw it down the bank. Defendant said he would cross the section whenever he liked, and refused to leave. The plaintiff gave evidence of the trespass, and, after hearing the statement of defendant, who was also in the box, his Worship said defendant had no right whatever over the land of plaintiff; but, as the costs were somewhat high, he would make the penalty a nominal one. The defendant was liable, for his conduct, to have a penalty of £lO, or one month's imprisonment, inflicted. As it was, he would fine him Is., and £2 Is. costs. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. The same complainant then brought a charge against last defendant's wife, of using abusive language, and asking that she be bound over to keep the peace. There was a cross-case brought of assault, and through the obtuseness of witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants, it was almost impossible to know which case was before the Bench. One witness was in the box, and was being subjected to a perfect volley of jnvectire, when our reporter thought it wise to retire. [Left squabbling.]