RESIDE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Issue 1948, 17 July 1874, Page 2

RESIDE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

» (Before H. M'Culloch, Esq., R.M.) Wednesday, Jtjl? 15. Eohert Harvey not appearing in compliance with his recognisance to answer a charge of drunken and disorderly conduct, and of threaten* ing his wife, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Henry Trillo pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkeu and disorderly oonduct in the public streots, but urged in extenuation that he wa» going up country to work, and that he would be careful not to offend again. It was found that the accused had on a previous occasion been sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for drunken* ness, but His Worship not wishing to deprive him of an avowed chance of amendment, sen* tenced him in the present ease to a Saa of only ss, or 24 hours' imprisonment. William Hancock, charged with drunkenness, pleaded guilty, and was fiued ss, or 21 hoar*' imprisonment. THITB3DAY, JXTtiT 16. James Shoals, a new arrival, was brought up on a charge of drunkenness. Accused said that on coming to town on WeinescUy he had banu treated to some drink, which, he having been so long on shipboard, affjcted him a little. Inspector Fox stated that he happened to be at the Immigration Barracks when the accused was arrested. All the people wero very orderly except the accused, against whom, however, he would not press the charge, seeing that he was a newcomer, and no doubt very easily upset with drink. Accused was discharged with a caution and an advice that if he wished to prosper in the Colony, he should strictly avoid drunkenness. Hannah v. Hogan,— This was a small deWfc claim, amounting to £1 6s 4i, for goods eoHand delivered by the plaintiff to the defendant, who admitted liability to the extent of only 5s lOd* The plaintiff stated that the goods were properly delivered, aud that the plaintiff was quite able to pay, as she had received money from a Mr Silk for the goodwill of her hotel ; and also that the defendant was preparing to leave the town altogether. Defendant denied that she was leaving the town, and also that she was able to pay her debts, which amounted, she said, to £250. Judgment for plaintiff, with costs, 9s. M'lnerny v. Hogan. — This claim was similar to the preceding one, the amount sued for in the present case being £3 17s 9d. The defendant admitted indebtedness to the extent of only 17s, and said that she was unable to pay even that. The plaintiff thereupon remarked, " Well, if I caiVt get it out of your purse, I'll have it oat of your body, for I'll put you in gaol and keep you there, though I should have to pay for it." His Worship informed the indignant plaintiff that he could not send a debtor to gaol for a less sum than £10, unless he (the plaintiff) could show that the debtor was able to pay, and was trying to defraud ; but in the latter event he could send a debtor to gaol without having to pay anything. However, judgment would be given for the plaintiff, with costs, 9s. Here the plain* tiff in the first ease asked that Mrs Hogan might be put upon oath, that he might examine her at to her alleged inability to pay the money sued for. This waa done, and the examination seemed to convince the Court that Mrs Hogan wag per" fectly able to pay the money, and His Worship said that, unless she did so, he would sentence her to fourteen days' imprisonment in respect of each case*