RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 408, 11 April 1863, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Friday, April 10th. (Before A. Chetliam Strode, Esq., R.M.)

Drunkards.—Wm. Bowman, Martia Marshall, and Andrew Sotners were each fined 20a and costs, for being drunk aud incapable. Alleoed Kobbsry.—William Hall and Robert Hagan were charged with stealing a silver hunting watch, lrom the person of James Nelson, a seafaring man.

Prosecutor stated that lie was chief mate of the Ruby sleainer, and knew the prisoner [lagan as being1 a ■waterman at the wharf. Between 11 ant! 12 o'clock on ths previous night, be was at the Provincial .Bowling Alley, and saw the prisoner there, tie left the HoteL about 12 o'clock, ami went to the Caf'G de Paris, but could not get in, ami he was about, leaving there,when he uvittite prisoners, wh" seized him by the collar and broke his watoli guanl, a si'k one. tJe immediately felt for hi* watuli. uucl tdun! it w-iS gone. He hel.l the two" prUnncs till it cocatfiblc came u;>, wlwu ho gave thsm irilo cuawdy. Cons?able Aniir&ws deposed to the prisonfirs' airtM., and his h;iviug found (he \rateh ijruitaced ia the street, outside the Cai'e de Paris. . The prisoner Hail said the marker at t.h-3 Pro vineM Bowling Alloy could pioj-e that the preswu or was very drunk, and quite insensible when he left there on tiie previous night. Detective Cui'kwell asked for a remand, ior tbc production of the marker; but the Magistrate troughi auch n delay w.iul'f he an injustice to the prisoners; lie would put the csse back ior a short tims, auu ■tend for the witness in the meantime. On the arrival of the murker of the Provincial Bowling Alley, he sui.l be recollected the prosecutor being in.the Alley on the previous night The prisoners were there also. The prosecutor was insensibly drunk, and on being placed oa a form he rolled off. He left, in company with tha two prisoners, about 12 o'clock, when the p»'ace closed. Another witness, who' was: iv the Bowling Alley during the evening', corroborated the statement that the prosecutor was I insensibly drunk. 1 The Magistrate considered there was no proof of felouy, anil believed the watch had dropped from t'.ie prosecutor's pooket in the course of a drunken row. Hd therefore discharged the prisoners, at the same time administering a caution to the prosecutor to keep sober iv future.

CIVIL CASES.

i W. Wateon v R.obnrt Jaokson, postponed. ; Watiou v Colin M'Douafd, L 9 17s 6d, board and lodging; judgment by default. ; ' Koss and- Ulemliuning v G-. Carncross, 17 OsSJJ, ebods.-'-'A young lad came forward,and produced, nis authority to act for plaintiffs. The' Magistrate, however, said it was great, nonsense sending a boy to conduct the case, and told him to fetch one of liis employers—remarking that, as the next thing, they would lure babies coming iato Court to sue.

: Stevenson v Godfrey, L2O. This wi a postponed cas?, the claim being for' wages paid to cattle drivers on behalf of defendant. , Mr Barton said defenrfaut Wll3 al sent, anil was unaware that the cose was coming: on. After some conversation, it wns agreed to postpone the cas^ till the Ist May. No cons. Lylev Pollock, L 9 wages. Verdict for 30s with Pollock v M'Neill, Ll7 13a 6d, goods. Judgment, for Lls 13s 6.1; which amount was paid into Court by defendant. Reed v Jones, LI 5 16s 81. Town Board assessment of property. No appearance of defendant; amount awarded with costs. Evans v Cranford, Ll2. This was a claim made by plaintii*, who is a waterman, for damage done to a boat, which the defendant had hired of him on the 23rd Afarch. It appeared that the .defendant, with some friends, agreed to pay the plaintiff L 3 for che use of the boat for the day, for ths purpose of seeing theKegatta; and that, on returning in the evening, it was alleged by claimant that the boat was much damaged, having been handled very roughly by the defendant and his friends, and rendered unfit for use until it had been repaired. Several witnesses were heard. After giving the case a patient hearing, the Magistrate awarded the plaintiff 1,7 14? aud costs. Mr Prenderjrast appeared on behalf of the plaintift. and Mr Barton for the defence.