RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

West Coast Times, Issue 201, 11 May 1866, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before G. G. FitzGerald, R.M.) Thursday, May 10.

Lunacy. — John Hamilton, brought up on remand from the Bth instant, charged with being of unsound mind, was committed to the Lunatic Asylum, Ohristchurch, on the evidence of Drs Ryley and Berndt. Drunk ani> Incapable. — Patrick Brady and Michael Millor were both fined 10s, or in default 24 hours 1 imprisonment with hard labour. CIVIL CASES. Reid v. Thomson.— Judgment by default for L3O, with 15s costs, amount of a dishonored cheque, drawn by J. S. Thomson in favor of Mr John Gray, nnd given by Mr Gray to the plaintiffs in payment of his salary. In the case of Pritchard v. Rugg, which had been adjourned from 3rd inst., a judgment was given for the plaintiffs for the amount claimed, L6B, with costs. Kain v. O'Donnell. — Mr South appeared for the plaintiff, who Bought to recover the sum of £10, balance of wages due under contract, Jand for breach of the said contract. The plaintiff stated 'she had been hired by defendant's wife, in Duuedin, and had signed an agreement by which she consented to serve her as a general servant in Hokitika for a term of six months. Had served five months in Hokitika, when Mrs O'Donnell left for Okarita, where she refused to accompany her. Mr O'Donnell sworn, saiJJ, that on their leaving Hokitika the plaintiff had consented to servo the rest of the term of the agreement, viz., four weeks, with his partner, and that he had not heard anything further about the arrangement made betwhen the ! plaintiff had Mr Graves until he had received a summons. The defendant further stated that he had paid the sum of four pounds into Court, the balance due to plaintiff for wages for four weeks, which completed the time specified in the agreement. Mr O'Donnell called his partner, Mr Graves, who in answer to a question from Mr South, said that the plaintiff had never promised him that she would serve him for a month. Had been told so by Mrs. O'Donnell.

Mr. FitzGerald said he was of opinion that the servant had at one time consented to serve Mr. Graves for the rest of the term mentioned in her agreement, and had aftarwards altered her mind, and gave a judgment for the amount paid into Court, L 4, plaintiff paying the costs. Matin and Ingles v. M'Bride. — Mr. Q'Loughlin appeared for the plaintiffs, who sought to recover the sum of LBO 4s 6d, for work and labor done and goods supplied by the plaintiff to the defendant. Judgment was given by default for the full amount claimed and costs. Church and Co. v. Fitzpatrick.—Judgment by default for the amount claimed, £40, with costs, Bs, amount of a dishonored promissory note. Drummond v. Newton.— Judgment by default for £26, with costs, amount of an 1.0. U. Greenfield v. Ryley.— The plaintiff in this case claimed to recover the sura of one hundred pounds damages, for breach of contract for the sale of certain premises, situate in Revell-street, Ilokitika, as well as loss sustained by the plaintiff in her business by the non-fulfilment of the said contract. Mr Smith appeared for the plaintiff, ond Mr O'Loughlin for . the defendant. The case was heard at considerable length, and judgment reserved. We defer a full report until to-morrow. Spence Bros. v. Burke and Co.— Mr. South appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. O'Loughlin for the defendants. It appeared the defendants had bought ten tons of flour at L 26 5s per ton, which they had not paid for, and had been re-sold by the plaintiffs at the risk of the defendants ; a survey having been previously held at a cost of £4 4s. The amount realised by the flour when ro-sold was £167 12s, leaving a balance of £79 2s. Judgment was reserved uutil next day. The case of Bain, Houghton, & Co. v. Hall & Finlay; is set down for hearing this day.