THIS DAY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3124, 21 February 1879, Page 2

THIS DAY.

(Before Major Keddell, E.M.) BBEACH OF THE BEGISTBATION ACT.

Thomas Scanlan was charged with neglecting to register the birth of his child within the time prescribed by the Act. Defendant pleaded guilty. ■ Mr A. De C. Potterton, deputy registrar, stated that the defendant had come to him to have his child's birth registered, but the six months prescribed by the Act having expired, he could not register the birth until after a conviction. He only asked for a nominal penalty. Fined Is and costs. ASSAULT. Catherine Gleeson was charged with unlawfully assaulting one, Jessie McCarthy. Mr Dodd for defendant pleaded not guilty; Mr Miller appeared for the complainant. All witnesses were ordered out of Court. . ■ ■ , Jessie McCarthy, sworn, deposed—l am the wife of James McCarthy, residing on Waiotahi spur. The day before yes-, terday I was going home with a kit in each hand, when I saw the defendant coming towards me with some delf in her I hand. She said," You — — what did you gain by informing on me to the police." She repeated it several times, and then I told her I did not want to have anything to do with her. With that she struck me on the head with the jug, knocking me down, and then struck me with the plates. My head bled. (Witness produced a shawl she had worn, on which were some blood spots). These n:arks were caused by the blows. She also st-uck me on the hand when I put it up to save my head, and caused this swelling. I saw Fisher and others standing near, and called out to them. The broken plates produced were broken on my head. I was speaking to Donovan a few minutes before the assault.

By Mr Dodd—l have not had much previous quarrelling with defendant. I know Detective Brennan, and had a conversation with him with reference to

defendant. I asked him if ho could prevent defendant sending home bad messages with my children. I did not strike her nor did I call her a red-headed ———. I did not make thatjbruiae on her face. By Mr Miller—l had a kit in each hand and an umbrella, and during the assault I did not drop them. Peter Fisher, sworn, deposed—l am a blacksmith in the employ of Waiotahi G.M.Co. On Wednesday last at midday I saw the two parties in this action. Mrs McCarthy was on the ground, and Mrs Gleeson was standing over her striking her with an umbrella.

Timothy Donovan, sworn, deposed—l am a miner living at the foot of the Waiotahi. On Wednesday I met Mrs McCarthy going up the Creek with two kits and an umbrella in her hand. I saw her about half an hour after with blood on her shawl, and she showed me the back of her head, which was cut and bleeding.

Constable Haslett, sworn, deposed—l am stationed at Grahamstown. On Wednesday I went to see about a row at the Waiotahi Creek. I met complainant, who was crying and bleeding at the back of her head. She showed me her shawl with fresh blood on it. I was pointed out the scene of the row, and saw the broken crockery on the ground, and picked up these piece*. Anyone standing at the Waiotahi blacksmith's shop could have seen the assault.

Catherine Gleeson, gworn, deposed—l am the defendant in this aclion, and I am the wife of Charles Gleeson, but don't know what he is or where he is. I was returning home on the day in 'question with some dinner things in my hands, and I met Jessie McCarthy. I asked her what she had told Brennan about me. She called me a red headed-——. I said I was no more one than she was, whereupon she struck me with an umbrella and knocked the plates out of my hands. She was making another strike at me, and I wrenched the umbrella out of her hand, and she fell down. As she was getting up I struck her with the umbrella.

By Mr Miller—l am living with Mr Hawkins. On the day of the assault I did not have a dispute with Hawkins. The mark was made by Jessie McCarthy. She struck me down. I did not strike her with the plates. This concluded the case. ■ .:■,. i Fined £3, and costs, £2 4s 6d, or 14 days'imprisonment.