RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2252, 10 September 1891, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

Geraldine—Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1891. [Before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., and H. W. Moore, Esq,, J.P.] JUVENILE LAREJKINISM. The adjourned case against four boys for writing indecent words on the public school and breaking trees was dismissed, the lads with one exception having been punished by their parents. The lad who had not been punished was not at home, but, when he returns, his father, who appeared in court, promised to punish him. WIFUL DAMAGE. 0. G. Bradley sued John Patrick, a young man, for the value of damage done to a buggy alleged by him to have been wilfully damaged by defendant and a number of other young men. O. G. Bradley, storekeeper, of Hilton, deposed that several young men had during his absence, and without his permission, taken a buggy off his promises. It was ‘about eight or nine o’clock at night and they had it for about half an hour, when he got word that it had gone over the terrace. He went out to see and found the shafts broken, the wheels injured, and the axle bent. Defendant, when asked, acknowledged to him that he was one of the young men who did the damage and offered to pay for the shafts. Witness would not take payment for the shafts, but wanted payment for the whole of the damage. He sued Patrick, because if he got a conviction the others would help Patrick to pay. John Patrick, defendant, swore that he never touched the buggy, and never offered to pay for the shafts. He never had any conversation with plaintiff about the buggy. James Bryan Cornelius Rryan, and Alexander Beattie corroborated the statements made by defendant.

The Bench said, according to the evidence, the plaintiff had got hold of the wrong man. The case would be dismissed. Plaintiff to pay costs and witnesses’ expenses. The Court then rose.