DUNSTAN POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 319, 27 December 1862, Page 5

DUNSTAN POLICE COURT.

(Before Jackson Keddell, Esq., R.M.) Thomas O'Dee for absenting himself from the hired service of George Thompson, E«q, a station holder, appeared on remand. Case dismissed. Thomas Hall, for an assault upon Bernerd Coulon, was fined L 2 and 4s 6d costs ; and Hugh M'Culloch, also for assaulting: the same Bernerd Coalon, was fined L 2 and 4s 6d cost?. Both these affairs arose through a mining partnership disoute on the Marabnru Creek, Manuherikia. H. M'Culloch for indulging in abusive and threatening language towards B. M'Mullins in a public place, was fined 20s and costs.

Abraham Cox, for a like offence towards John Shoemaker, met a similar treatment.

George Hall was summoned by the police for keeping open his licensed house, the United States Hotel, upon Sunday, the 14th inst, and for allowing a drunken man to be in the bar. The defendant pleaded guilty, but said he had given instructions to his barmen no*: to carry on Sunday business. Fined 20s and costs, with a caution to be more careful in future.

Joseph Kilgour. another licensed victualler, was a'so summoned for keeping open the Union Hotel after hours, and for continually allowing disorderly conduct in his hotel Constable Lynch stated that he had warned the defendant several times, had found gambling going on in the house to the hour of two and three in the morning, and sometimes all night. No attention had been paid to the warnings. Fined L 2 and costs.

For a second charge of keeping open on Sunday, he pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s and costs. For the third time the defendant was placed before the Bench for having threatened within the precincts ofthe court, tbat he would mm Serjeant Cleary, or lose the last stick of his building. Constable Lynch deposed thafc he overheard these words, and also heard the defendant say that he knew Seijeant Cleary to be a eardplayer, and to be drinking in a publichouse constantly where he was last stationed. He (defendant) was fseverely reprimanded by the Bench and again cautioned to turn over a new leat. INQUESTS. 16th December. Coroner's inquests have been held upon the remains of John Robson and Thomas Mills, who'e bodies were found iv the Molyneux River. The inquiry spread over several hours in consequence of the jury having to be ferried over by tours to view the bodies. The inquests commenced early in the morning, and terminated after eight o'clock in the evening. The verdict of the jury in each case was—Found drowned, and they added to their verdicts, riders—" thafc the smull boats at pr sent plying upon the river were unsafe, and that they considered it necessary Government should interfere for the due protection of human life."

On the 17th another inquest was held upon the body of Mathew Murray, also found in the Molyneux. The same verdict of—Foun.l drowned, was leturned. The jury added a rider—" that they considered that the Government should establish proper ferries on the crossing places of the river and especially where the traffic is so great as on the Kawarau Junction."