RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 350, 1 March 1861, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

[Before J. Poynteb, Esq., Resident Magistrate.]

Wednesday, February 27.

Stanton v. Longford (adjourned Case) for £12* W. M. btantoa sworn: I produce an acceptance for £12, given me by the defendant to compensate me for any deficiency for an assignment made for the benefit of his creditors. It was given after the assignment. Cross-examined by Langford: The bills were signed on the day of the assignment, and after I had signed the assignment, and distinctly swear such to be the case: I did not sign one while you were signing the other. John Alfred Langford sworn: I admit that the signature, is in my handwriting. Previous to plaintiff signing the deed, it. was arranged I was to give bills; but no time was demanded of me to pay these bills. Mr. Stanton signed one of the bills, whilst I signed the other—it was done instantaneously. The Magistrate gave a verdict for the defendant. Costs 95., to be paid by the plaintiff. Hooper and Co. v. 2homos Bright, aewr., for £9 19s. 2d. for beer supplied. . .. Robert Aitken produced an acceptance for the amount, and proved the signature to be in defendant's handwriting. • It had also been presented at the bank, but no funds to meet it; he also paid 2s. 6d. for a bank notice, making the amount £10 Is. Bd. ... . -. Verdict tor the amount, with interest to date, ■ and costs. Samev. Thomas Bright, junr., for an overdue ; acceptance, amounting to £1 35., for beer sup- | plied. | Verdict for the amount, with costp. Thomas Charles Batcluhr v. George Stewart Flemming, for £2 7s. 9d. tor goods supplied at various times. Verdict for the amount, with costs. ,

Caution to Volunteers.—Joel Drewitt^ a member of the Naval Brigade, but whose martial ardor appears to have been gradually approaching zero, was summoned by Adjutant Lockett for arfear of fines, amounting to 18s. The defendant, from the commencement of the case, found himself "in the wrong box," literally; and, on being ordered to the bar instead of the witness-box, where he had installed himself, said he admitted the amount of fines, "but repudiated the idea of being summoned;" he would have paid it, but did not know whom to pay it to, in consequence of the changes that had taken place in the Secretaries. The fines have been fixed at half-a-crown on each absence from drill since the new year; and we would point out the fact that members of the Naval Brigade previously belonging to the militia, are, in all cases, considered equally as sworn-in members with those who have taken the oath to serve in the brigade; we therefore recommend an ■ obje^Yanw of those duties wbicjb v Tolmtfvity •»•

sumed, arc the more incumbent, and remembering tho extent of. the fines, are justified in pointing out a caution for the future, not with the asperity of a superior officer, or with any intention of intimidation through cost la the pocket, biitfwith the mild expostulation of, ■" Don't be foolish Joe."

Loss by Fike.—On Wednesday last two large wheat stacks at Richmond, the property of Mr. Saunders, were destroyed by fire. The stacks had beenj built in the field, where *it had grown ; and, in order to prevent any fire being, conveyed to them, Mr. Saundershad the stubble pulled up, and the ground cleared tor some distance around 'hem; and whilst a strong south wind was blowing, he set fire to the stubble on the north side of the stacks; but a spark of fire, which must have come in the opposite direction to that in which the wind was blowing, alighted on the roof of one of them, and us they were only about six yards apart they were both almost instantly enveloped in flames. A large number of persons were quickly on the spot, and exhibited a most laudable and anxious desire to render any possible assistance; an abundant supply of buckets was promptly forwarded by Mr. Hodder from his store, but it was soon seen that the devouring element had taken too strong a hold to be in any degree arrested by any available means. The two stacks were estimated to contain about 900 bushek of wheat.

Town Fire.—On Wednesday morning, between lOand 11 o'clock, somegorse was fired on Mrs. Moorhouse's property near Collingwood-street, and miglit have been attended with very serious consequences and heavy loss to, the surrounding neighbors. It appears that some persons in the employ of Mrs. Moorhousehad been clearing the laud of gorse and had placed large quantities of it in heaps', most thoughtlessly taking advantage of the strong spout-wind to fire it—apparently quite heedless as to whether the surrounding properties was endangered. Had the fire caught Mr. Coleman's property, it would with certainty have destroyed the several gardens, and probably some of the adjacent houses. The persons who succeeded in stopping the further progress of the fire were some workmen in Mr. Coleman's employ, and to their energy the neighbors may be thankful thai they have no serious losses to record.

Runaway Horses.—Narrow escapes of life or property have lately occurred, through runaway horse 9 and uncontrollable cattle. Butchers'l and millers' carts, drays and other conveyances, have traversed the streets and highways at dangerous speed, and in the case of one driver the hospital had to be resorted to; we are, however, glad to hear that the injuries were of a character that has since allowed his return home. In the present prevalence of heat and flies, it behoves driven to look well to cattle left waiting in the streets, exposed to such constant torments as these inflict.

Accident.—One of the crew of the Dona Anita was, on the 14th Instant, thrown with great violence into the ship's scuppers by the force of a heavy sea that the vessel shipped, and his left shoulder badly dislocated. After enduring the. injury until he ,amved here, he was this week treated at the Nelson Hospital; and, after considerable difficulty,, caused by the delay that ..had been occasioned, the limb was replaced with sue* cess, and he is now going on favorably.

Tea Meeting.—A tea meeting, in connexion with the Spring Grove Schools, will take place on Tuesday next, at the > School-rooms, after the examination of the jshjldreg, .-iTha same evening a public meetibg will take place, and the prizes, attained by the mosl diligent scholars will be awarded to them. ,

Cattle Fair.—The Cattle Fair at Richrabnd will be held on tlie ground devoted to that purpose, on Wednesday next. We hope that the demand will be of a more energetic character than wa^the case on the last occasion.

Flour.—The prices quoted in. late Auckland papers for this* article average £18 per ton;— Sydney quotations being £19 for first, and £17' for seconds; —Melbourne,fine, £17 per ton; —wheat in both places, 7s. to 7s. 3d. per bushel. The dates at which the above prices were current extend to within the last fortnight. *~Hops.—The quantity taken off one pole at the gathering going on yesterday at Messrs. Hooper arid- Co.'s ground, opposite Mr. Epps's nursery, Maitai Valley, amounted to the unusual quantity of three-and-a-half bushels, plucked by Mrs. Mytton, and measured by Mr. J as. Hooper. The usual yield is about a bushel to each pole, the one under notice is therefore unusually productive. . ' ■'■'.. . / . '. '■' ■- ' "

Sir Jobs BowßitiQ.—GaUgnani has received the following from a correspondent:—•" It is understood that Sir John Bowrihg has accepted a diplomatic appointment from the government of the Sandwich Islands, to act as their commissioner for placing the commercial relations of that country with other communities on a satisfactory footing. The existing treaties with Great Britain, France, and the United States require revision and adaptation to those, free-trade principles which are happily becoming a true international law,' and there can be little doubt that the liberal tendencies of the Ha wain authorities will be met in a similar spirit by the liberals of Europe and, America. The central position of the Pacific Archipelago has given it an increased importance since the trade of California, Australia, ■ and Western America has received ap large a development; while the establishment of a constitutional regime and the progress of Christian civilisation in islands which two generations aga were wholly barbarous, cannot but awatfengreat interest as to their future condition." '

Sir Charles Napier.-—The following is a copy ofa letter received from the Portuguese Ambassador, expressing the esteem in which Sir Charles Napier was held by his Majesty the King of Portugal :—" London, November 23.—Madam,—His Majesty the King of Portugal, my august sovereign, has ordered me to express to you, in, his royal name, the profound grief which hia Majesty felt at the news of the decease of the illustrious and brave Admiral Sir Charles Napier, Count of Cape St. Vincent. His most faithful Majesty, wishing, moreover, to give a public and extraordinary testimony of the high consideration in which he "held the important services rendered to the legitimate throne and of the constitutional institutions of Portugal by the said brave Admiral, Count Cape St. Vincent, had.ordered the Portuguese Royal Navy to go into mourning for three days. I request you will please to communicate these determinations of his most faitltful to the whole of your family, and you may also publish them if you think proper. Having fulfilled the orders of ray royal sovereign, permit me, Madam, to avail myself of this opportunity to repeat the expression of my grief, and the assurance of the respectful considerations with which I have the honor to be y Madam, your most obtdteat bumble aernnt^