Thursday, sth June, 1862.

Otago Witness, Issue 549, 7 June 1862, Page 5

Thursday, sth June, 1862.

Vagrancy. — Margaret Stewart was brought before the Bench on the information of constable Percy, charging her with having no lawiul or visible means of support. The accused was upwards of seventy years of age, and had been discovered lying out in the open air. She stated that she resided at the iMaoii hill, aud that her husband was a joiner by trade. His worship discharged h§r with a caution. Assault. — William Mantle was informed against for cutting and wounding one John Harris, a builder, on the preceding day. The defendant had been admitted to bail in a personal deposit of £10. Mr. Waivi appeared for the prosecution in the absence of Mr. Preudergast, and called evidence to' prove that the defendant had hit his client on the head with n screwdiiver. Tho complainant stated, that he believed had it not been for the interference of some men, that the accused would have murdered him. He appeared in Court with his head plastered in two places. The line of defence attempted to be established was one of .-lelf-proteetion. A witness, who gave his name as David Stoker, proved thnt about a qnarter past ono o'clock on the preceding afternoon, the complainant, William Mantle, went to the defendant and' demanded the payment of an account. Defendant tendered a -chee]iie, the validity or genuineness of which was at once disputed, and cash requested in exchange. An altercation ensued, which led eventually to a breach of the peace. The value of the cheque was given at £[ los., and complainant considered that he was entitled to half-a-crown more. His Worship considered t hat the defendant in this ease had committed a grievous as&ault on the complainant, and there appe ired to be no doubt of the defendant having, been the primary cause of tha disturbance. 11.-xl he £;one away quietly from the premises, as he sho.ild have done, this affiay would not have taken place. Ho hud laid himself open to a very serious charge for striking a man on the head with such a deadly instrument as a screw driver. The Bench inflicted a penalty of £3, and 7s. (sd. costs, or, in default, committed the defendant to 1-1 days' imprisonment. Insubordination. — William Hnghss was charged on the information of Matthew M'Fie, master of tlw schooner Colonist, with wilful disobedience of lawflu commands in refusing to proceed to duty. The information was laid under clause 4 and section 213 of' the Merchant Shipping Act. The defendant was exceosively loquacious and irregular in Court, being apparently under the influence of drink. In the course of his garrulous, but disconnected statement, he said that he was perfectly w illiu^ to go on board and resume duty, but the prosecutor declined to have him back. The accused still persisting to manifest a disorderly demeanor, although.cautionedby the Beuch as to hi.s misconduct, was committed to H. M. gaol for the tei mof 2 1 hout v;, for contempt. The business of the Court terminated at 20 minutes aftfer VA (noon.) ,'