RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3916, 4 September 1874, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday, 3rd September,

(Before J. Bathgate, Esq., R.M., and X

Ramsay, Esq., J.P.)

Druskenness.— Grace Steadrnan, an elderly female, when charged with.being drunk in George street on the previous day, replied that she had come from Waikouaiti to go to the Hospital* and on asking the Constable if he could find her a respectable private house to sleep in for the. night, he answered," Certainly ; come with me," and forthwith took her te the lock-up.— (Laughter.) His VVorship, whose gravity had been dispelled by the earnest recital of prisoner's grievance, while insinuating that drunken persons invariably mistook their condition, discharged herewith a caution. James Thomson andf John Williams, each charged with a similar offence, were also let off with an admonition. ■ ".'■' ■ •

Robbing a "Chum."—Francis Meka, a new arrival, was charged on the information of Andrew Sullivan, with stealing a pail-of trowsers, valued at 255, from the Princes street DepOt. Both parties were fellow-pas-sengers (immigrants), and the trowsers having been missed accused was suspected of having stolen them, but he denied all knowledge whatever of the trowsers. On searching his swag the missing article was found secreted insifle everything else. Mr Bathgate said it was a ease of douHe-dealing to rob a compani-n, and suit prisoner to gaol for two'calendar months, with hard labour.

Fqul Ciismn kys.—Marcus Hume was summoned for allowing one of the Hospital chiiu-

neys to catch fire, but the name of Paul Marshall, head wardsman, was afterwards substituted as the defendant. Under tho peculiar circumstances, the Magistrate dismissed the case. John Clifford. Robert M'Uuddy, and Eobert Williams, were severally charged wit■> allowing the chimneys of their houses to catch fire, and each fined ss, and costs. Miscellaneous —Robt. Waugh and John Brown Mere summoned by Inspector Nirnon for leaving their drays unattended iv public places, and each fined in the minimum penalty. John Walker and John Brown were ordered to pay 10s and costs each for similar negligence. ~**A summons against Hy. Fitz«erald, charging him with allowing a nuisance to exist on his premises, was dismissed ; and another against W. 11. Cutten, who did not appear, dismissed in consequence of an informality, but without prejudice to its being laid again. Altercation ijetween two Erotiieiis.— Jas. Murdoch was summoned by his brother John for abusive behaviour. Mr Stamper, junr, defended. An assault was clearly proved, prosecutor bearing a number of bruises on his face. The Bench fined defendant 10s and costs, and bound him over to keep the peace for six months.

A Females' Quaruel —Katherine Walker appeared to answor the information of Cecilia Beck, charging her with forcibly entering a private dwelling-house nnd damaging fuiv nitureto the extent of £20. Mr Bath gate appeared for complainant, and Mr E. Cook for defendant. Complainant stated that shortly after midnight of Monday last she heard a disturbance'in the adjoining house, .situate, in Stuart street,.and the defendant deliberately broke open a partition—a nailed up old doorway between the two houses— by pressing against it with her back. She walked into Avitness'a apartments, and, having left, the partition was nailed up again. A little while afterwards, defendant, being very excited, again smashed in the partition, and -vented her rage by breaking every article of furniture she-could lay hands on in complainant's house. A. chefTonier, piano-stool, looking-glass, munerous lustres, vases, &c. were thrown about and danced upon. Cross-examined : Witness had nob had a dispute with.defendant, nor was she on very friendly terms with her. No provocation was given nor threats used. The cause of the disturbance was, to her, inexplicable. Two ether witnesses gave substautiative evidence/and stated that though at least six persons were present whilst the place was being wrecked, none of them interfered until it was nearly over. Mr Cook in addressing the Court for the defence said too much credence was not to be put upon complainant's evidence, as she had denied all provocation. Hd had been instructed ihat she first struck Walker on the head with a decanter, causing: a deep cut, and that . the partition was not pulled down by his injured client, but by some one in Beck's house. Elizabeth Wilson said she knew nothing about the breaking in of the partition, but witnessed the blow \vi.ih the decanter, and heard tnreats used. After consultation with his brother Magistrate, Mr Bathgate said they could come to no other conclusion than that the'eass had been clearly proved. He considered it a.very bold act for, a person to break down an old doorway into another person's private bedroom, and to destroy the furniture in such a treacherous manner. They would inflict a j fine of £3, with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment,, and- assess the damages at £15.. Mr Cook asked that time might be allowed for payment: The. Magistrate said the penalty was to be paid forthwith, and reasonable time would be allowed to: refund the damages. There was another case of Cecilia Beck v. Eliz. Meredith, which was a summons for using threatening and abusive language. Complainant withdrew the information in this case.