CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6739, 20 September 1883, Page 4

CITY POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, SeptembEb 10.

(Before Messrs G. E. Bliott and R. Chisholra, J.P's.) Dbdkkeknkss.—Two oases of .drunkenness were dealt with.

Vagbanot.—Elizabeth Mason was charged under, the Vagrant Act with importuning passers-by, in Stafford street.—She fined 203, or seven days' imprisonment. ■ : ( Light and Unstamped Weights.—James Fersytb, of Fort Chalmers, was charged with haying in his possession on the 11th inst. a 41b weight which was deficient to the extent of 12 drachms, and a 21b weight which was unstamped.—The defendant said he was- ignorant of the matter, and would have had the weights rectified bad he known they were! light.—The Bench said that they were not disposed to deal severely with the accused on the latter charge, which night have arisen from inadvertence. For that offence he,would be fined 5s and costs.' They could not,'however, understand a man in business using a weight which was 12 drachms deficient without being cognisant of the fact. On that charge he would be fined 20s and costs.—— John Middleditch, of Fort Chalmers, was charged with having in his possession a 21b weight which was unstamped, also a light 41b weight.—Defendant on the first charge was fined 5a and costs, and on the second 10s and coats.

Assault.—James Jack was charged with assaulting William Campbell on the 17th inst., by striking him in the face with his clenched fist.—Mr Macdonald appeared for the complainant, and stated that the parties worked I together in a blacksmith's shop. There was a woman, as usual, at the bottom of their quarrel.—(Laughter.) It Beemed that Jack told Campbell he was going to take a young lady to a soiree. A few days afterwards Jack accused Campbell of telling this to some other young men, and stated that the matter had gone back to the lady, causing a row between her and him (Jack). The defendant threatened to strike Campbell. On Monday, evening, while Campbell was out walking. with ; two comrades, Jack accosted, him and demanded an apology. Campbell refused, saying that he had only spoken " the solid truth": wnereupon defendant struck him.—A fine of 5a -and costs was imposed. .' - '

—Information haa reached New York of the purchase by William H. Vanderbilt of Sir Philip Miles' celebrated Leigh Court collection of paintings, which include the besfrknown and moßt valuable pictures extant. The Bum paid was £110,000. —Dr Portor, of Shantung, describes the condition of Chinese women, arising from the lack of Droper medical treatment, as truly pitiablo. The cure of their diseases is undertaken by isnorant old women, full of the strangest notions and superstitions, who treat their patients in really barbarous ways. Among the instances ho gives of their attempts to heal is the treatment of a child three days old, suffering from convulsions, by thrusting a red hot needle into its throat.