RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2118, 18 October 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before W. Fbaseb, Esq., E. M.) DBUNKEtfNESS. Wikitoria a Native woman, was charged with being drunk and incapable in Pollen •treet, Shortland, on the 16th inst. Defendant said " aye ' when the charge was interpreted, and further 'that she wanted her change, a pound having been deposited as bail for her appearance. Fined 10s and costs. :; X PAMBT CHARGE. George Gill was charged with assaulting Daniel O'Suliivan. Mr Tyler appeared for complainant and . related the circumstances of the assault, which he said was certainly unprovoked. Daniel O'Sullivan; deposed—That he resided in Grahamstown. On the evening of the 14th witness was walking with a man named Timothy Oronan in Owen; street, when: defendant called " several tirces to him, and complainant would not stop as he knew defendant wanted to make a row. Defendant asked witness to have a drink, which witness declined. Defendant then used abusive language, and witness said it was a lie, when defendant struck him. "Witness gave no provocation. That was the assault complained of. To the Court—Defendant was the worse of liquor. He only called witness by his name before he asked to have a drink, and it was after that defendant used abusive language. Defendant was not able to beat witness.

Timothy Cronan, sworn, deposed — That he knew the parties to this complaint. "Was with complainant on. the 14th instant, when they met the defendant; Defendant asked them to have a drink, but O'Sullivan didn't answer. Gill and witness went on together, and Gill touched O'Sullivan on the shoulder and again asked him .to have a drink, when O'Sullivan said no.- Defendant said " You're no good." O'Sullivan said "Km as good a man as you." They had some more words, when Gill struck O'SulHvan and O'Sullivan struck him again. Defendant said he didn't think he struck complainant, he might have pushed him. The Bench thought very little harm bad been done, and lie would not inflict a

fine. Defendant would be bound over to keep the peace for three months —himself and one surety in £10 each.

BREACH OF QUARTZ CBTTSHINa EEGULA-

TIONS ACT,

John Sprague was charged that he being the registered owner of a machine used in extracting gold from ore or mineral substances (called the Bedford) did unlawfully neglect to furnish the Mining Inspector of the district with certain returns in the form C to the Kegulations, between the Ist and sth October.

Defendant said he didn't do it wilfully. A friend of his neglected to have the return sent in and he (defendant) was principally working up at the claim. Mr Eullen said it was a curious thing that the return was, late, last month also, and had been before, and it was for this reason that the Mining Inspector had taken action.

His Worship thought there must be something in it, as he had never heard of Captain Goldsmith being hard upon owners of batteries. They must be careful, as the Regulations were imperative. He had to fine defeudant £5 for this offence. If defendant came before before him again the fine would be- £20. The Act left no discretion to the Magisrate.

Defendant asked for time to pay the the fine.

His Worship laid the Act did not give him even that power. The fine must be paid, or defendant imprisoned for a month.

Court adjourned.