RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

West Coast Times, Issue 642, 15 October 1867, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

(Before G-. G-. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.) Monday, October 14. Dbttjjk and Incapable. — Lanyon Scoresby, an old offender, having been nine times convicted of drunkenness within the last twelve months, was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, with hard labor. Thomas M'G-swan, for a similar offence, was fined 10s, with the alternative of twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Lunacy. — William Askew, on remand from the 11th October, charged with being of unsound mind, was committed to the Lunatic Asylum, on the medical evidence of Drs Ryley and Beswick. James Crawford, on remand from Stafford Town on a similar charge, was, on the evidence of Dr Riley, allowed to go at large. Labceny. — Edward Scott, who pleaded guilty on Saturday last, to stealing 3s from the till in tho store belonging to Messrs Orr and Co., was brought up for sentence. His Worship sentenced him to three months' imprisonment with hard labor. Assault. — Josephine Macdonald was charged on the iniormation of Ellen Bellinger with, on the Bth instant, assaulting Sophia Catherine Macdonald by striking her on the back with a piece of wood. Mr Held for the complainant, and Mr Reos for the defendant. Mr Reid stated that on the day in question the complainant was returning homo with her child, who was at tho time very unwell. As they passed the defendant's house she came out, followed them down the right-of-way leading to the beach, and struck her child, who was being carried on her mother's back, causing her to fall to the ground. Some considerable illfeeling had for some time existed between the complainant and defendant, owing to the complainant having sued the defendant's husband, John Parker Macdonald, for the support of his illegitimate child. Mr Eeid called Ellen Bellinger, who deposed that on Tuesday afternoon, as she was proceeding home with the child (her daughter) tho defendant came up behind them and struck the child on the back. Her daughter screamed, and fell to the ground. Witness, leaving the child on the ground, followed the defendant, who was accompanied by a little ghi, and overtook her at the door of her house. Witness had not spoken to defendant, or offered her any provocation whatever. The child was very ill at the time. Crossexamined by .Mr Eces — Witness was going from Ecvell street down a right-of-way towards the beach when the assault was committed. Witness struck defendant with tho same piece of wood as she was entering her own door. Witness did not hammer against the side of defendant's house and abuse her. Witness examined the child's back when they got home and on the following morning. It was bruised. Sophia Catherine Macdonald deposed that the last witness is her mother. She corroborated the evidence given by her mother as to the assault. This closed the complainant's case. Mr Eees, for tho defendant, stated that considerable ill feeling existed between the parties. Complainant attempted in every way to annoy tho defendant. On the day in, question the complainant remained outside his client's house and abused her. The Jevidence as to the assault Mr Eees contended was very un-

satisfactory. It was not at all probable the defendant would go up behind the child, as complainant would have his Worship believe, and strike her with a piece of wood. His Worship considered the assault had been fully proved, and fined the defendant L 2 with costs. Ihe Court was then adjourned till eleven o clock on the following day.