ALEXANDRA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 27 October 1870, Page 6

ALEXANDRA.

[communicated.] An adjourned case of some interest was heard at the Alexandra Court, on Monday, the 1 7th October. The Court was crowded. The bench of magistrates consisted of Messrs. Pyke, Ferraud; and Theyera. The latter gentleman (the newly elected mayor of the town), after being duly sworn in, took his seat with his brother magistrates. The case refeired to was one brought by W, A, Lowe, Esq,, of the Galloway Station, against a servant in his employ, acting as nursegirl or housemaid. The case hsd been adjourned in order that Mrs, Lowe might be present to identify certain articles of property which had been found in the possession of the accused. The articles were produced in court, both Mr. and Mrs, Lowe valuing them at £5. It appeared from the evidence that the accused had been in Mr. Lowe's service some four months, during which time she received no wages, and owing to some quarrel with a fellow servant, who had been previously discharged, Mrs. Lowe gave her notice also to quit her premises within two hours, but refused to pay the full amount of wages due, unless a sum of £5 was deducted for coach hire from Dunedin, To this the accused demurred, and stated that rather than submit to the reduction she would refer the matter for settlement to the Magistrate's Court at Alexandra, An altercation ensued, resulting in the procuring by Mr. Lowe of a search warrant, for the purpose of ascertaining whether property belonging to Mrs, Lowe was concealed in the box or bag owned by the accused. On the constable making a search, the articles produced in coiu*t were found, and the girl ■wag then given into custody. The accused bore a very excellent character from her previous employers, letters from whom were produced in court for the inspection of the bench . The young girl was most ably defended by Mr. Brough, who subjected her mistress to a lengthy cross-examination, in which he elicited facts that placed the case in a more favourable light for the accused. Mr. Brough, in summing up the evidence, ridiculed the idea of the accused having stolen any of the articles found in her possession, and asked the bench carefully to weigh the evidence, and not to ruin the future of a young girl of irreproachable character on a charge of so frivolous a nature. The bench, having requested the court to be cleared, shortly arrived at a decision. M perfect rush was then made from the*outside to hear the result. Mr. Viucent Pyke then stated that the decision of the bench was to the effect that Mr. Lowe had substantiated his claim to v_ some of the articles that were found in the possession of the accused, but from their insignificant value the Act wisely provided that in such cases the bench had a diswetionary power, which they should use, and dismiss the case ; furthermore remarking that the bench were unanimous in their opinion that a charge of so frivolous a nature should never have been allowed to occupy their attention. Mr. Pyke then ordered the property to be handed over to Mr. Lowe, but this the gentleman refused to accept, stating that after the remarks which had fallen from the bench, he should refuse to remove them, but should present the same to the hospital. The constable then took charge of" the articles, and was requested to dispose of them to the best interests of that institution. Shortly after the rising of the court, Mr. Lowe repossessed himself of his property, but it was currently re* ported in the town that it was the intention of that gentleman to forward his cheque in accordance with the money value he placed on the articles. Should this prove correct, the hospital will be a considerable gainer, as the trade value of the drapery in question, would only amount to a fey shillings.

The following has been forwarded to T. I* Shepherd, Esq., from the Mount Benger dis* trict:— "Sir,— At a largely attended and influential meeting of miners and others held here, the following resolutions were carried item, con. :— l. • That the whole of the Mount Benger district, and especially the Hoxso Shoe Bend portion of it has suffered greatly from the representatives of the goldnelds in the Assembly and the Council being personally unacquainted with the wants and wishes of the district.* 2. ' That one of the present members be written to by the chairman on behalf of this meeting, and be requested to visit the district. That should he agree to aid the residents in obtaining assistance and eacouragement to the various schemes interesting them, a general pledge be given to support his return by every legitimate means.' 3. 'That T. L. Shepherd, Esq., be written to.' In accordance with the above resolutions, I have to request that you honour this district with a visit in order to become acquainted with its necessities, and to enunciate your political views to the electors.— l have, &c, A. Bern,, Prese3." We look upon the foregoing letter as a very good skit, and if Mr. Shep? herd complies with the invitation contained in it, he is more of a fool than we take him *^j^^ A correspondent informs us of a case of" somnambulism which occurred at Wetheratones the other week, when a certain gentleman got out of bed at midnight, yoked his horses, and commenoed rolling a paddock. After working with a will for a short time, and giving his horses a good sweat, he stabled them and re? tired quietly to bed,