RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Southland Times, Issue 2055, 20 January 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before J, K. Cuthbertson and W. H. Pearson, Eaqs., J.P's. ) Monday, January 18. E. Tweedly and J. Daly, having been arrested by Constable Sullivan, were charged with bavins, on the 4th January, 1875, deserted the ship Columbus. It was shown that they had gone to Dunedin, and there joined the American war sloop, the Swatara, on which, after that vessel's recent arrival at the Bluff, they were detected by the officer* of the Columbus, and at their instance arrested. The prisoners pleaded guilty, and were each sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and to return to their ship at the end of that period, or sooner if necessary. W. Ellis and W. Spicer -were charged separately with being druuk and disorderly in the public streets, and Ellis also with using disgraceful language. Ellis was fined 10s, or 48 hours' imprisonment ; Spicer, ss, or in default 24 hours in Her Majesty's gaol. Tuesday, January 19. (Before His Worship the Mayor and T. Perkins, Esq., J.P's.) Thomas Boyle, charged at the instance of Sergeant Purdue with being of unaound mind, was remanded for medical examination. Tapper v. Cosidlo (Mr Wade for the defendant), Tapper v. Aitken, and Tapper v. Inglis, were each adjourned till the 2nd February. Mitchell v. Bennet. — Plaintiff, who sued for the amount of a dishonored cheque, £13 19s 9d, said that he had presented it at half a dozen different times, the last time just before coming into Court, but the reply at the Bank was still "No funds." Plaintiff had supplied defendant with goods to the value of the sum stated in the cheque. The defendant, who was in a palpable state of excitement, if not semi-insanity — Can I say anything in explanation ? The Court — You can ask questions. The defendant — I have a right to defend it in any shape or form. Let Mitchell show -where that cheque was gave. Previous to that cheque being given, I had a little transaction at Nelson, had I not ? (Mr Mitchell did not know what the defendant meant.) Let Mitchell read the correspondence of the National Bank (flourishing some papers in his hand) which I can prove to demonstration. In reply to the Court, the defendant said that he had owed the plaintiff £10 odd previous to giving him the cheque. Mr Mitchell was explaining that he had given the defendant credit for the amount claimed in consequence of the defeudant telling him that ho had to meet certain business eugagen^onta at Nelson, when the defendant became very obstreperous, and \h& bailiff' (no policeman being present at the time) had to interfere. The de fendant thereupon became outrageous, " behaved at large," and talked about " honor and justice being the order of the Court," and about " being in the British dominions." . The Court — Judgment is g^ven fty the ptaintiff in the amount dain^ed^ with costs, £1 2s. The d.efend.aqt— Give whatever you like ; it's go. matter; to me, I'll go to Wellington first, but JUI have justice. The. Oo,urt-r We wish to toll you that we have considered the case carefully, and tint judgment has been given against you j and if you do not act towards the defen lant accordingly, he can bring you up under a fraud summons. The defendant— l don't care for a iraud summons ; I'll go to Wellington where I know them all. (At this stage of the interesting exhibition, , the bailiff, in calling the defendant to order, laid

l his hand upon that nervous individual, and a f most unseemly scuffld ensued between , th«rtj]tjs)[fl^ ) The defendant (breathles^y, ; doflftfl^f% , attitude) — I'll maintain niy owti'*rign'Vs' : li'ie a'" '^ I Britishhero. By. (J-h— l, if I had a swordtind piitoj^'l'd walk through the>half of you.'H '"?&j The Bailiff— Silence. ; '?: ;6^ The defendant—Shut up, or I'll put your beaict;ji| i in the crock. . 'ty' . . •-■!■■; ,*'%ss The Court— You are committed to be tned;ti<j<j|? , morrow^ morning-for contempt of Court^i^ffi I . 'Ilia defendant— -I don't care if you committed me for everlasting ! With this expression the defendant marched haughtily out of the Court, ... saving that no policeman could take him.;, the . bailiff ka.ving ju3t gone in quest of one of these functionaries. ..Weir v.-.M'Lsod. — A claim for. £14. Judgment for plaintiff in the amount claimed, with costs, 19d, the whole to be paid in 21 days.. ~ • At this stage of the proceedings, the bailiff, bleeding from the effects of a blow in the face, came into Court, dragging, with the assistance of C. Morton, the letter carrier, the eccentric individual who3e doings and sayings in connection with the preceding case have been reported above. Their Worships commented in strong terms on the abseuco of the police throughout the whole length of the ordinary sittings of the Co irt, and instructed the Clerk to call the attention of Inspector Fox to the fac^, which was one calling lor grave regref, if not reprehension. The chief officer should always be careful to hare one of his men in attendance at the Court, otherwise when a man like Bennet, who was apparently half a lunatic, had to be dealt with, serious results might follow.