RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

West Coast Times, Issue 662, 7 November 1867, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.) Wednesday, Novembeb 6. Disobdehly Conduct. — Eichard Tiney on demand from the sth instant, waa brought up and discharged. ' Red riving Stolen Property. — Elizabeth Harbinson was brought up on remand from the sth instant. — His Worship said he was of opinion that he had no jurisdiction to deal summarily with the two charges preferred against the prisoner, and as there was not sufficient evidence to commit the prisoner for trial, he would discharge her. Larceny. — Frederick Symonds was also brought up on remand Irom the sth instant, charged with stealing a mustard pot, of the value of Bs, tho property of Charles F. Godhard, and a lady's jacket, of the value of Ll. the property of Margaret Thompson. His Worship sentenced him to three months imprisonment on each charge. — The same prisoner was then charged with stealing two lamps of the value of 9s, the property of It. and T. Haworth and Co.— John Hayes deposed that he was in the employ of E. and T. Haworth. JPrisouer had been in tho habit of occasionally doing an odd day's work for E. and T. Haworth. He did a day's work about twelve or fourteen days back. Since that witness missed two lamps, which he saw yesterday in Deteotive Brown's possositon. They had twelve

of those lamps originally: Two oufc of the number had been, sold, and they had only seven left. Three had been stolen. Witness had especially noticed the burner of one of the lamps in the store. The burner was differently, constructed to the ordinary burners of lamps of that class. The lamp produced nad a burner similar to tho one he had noticed in the store. He had never seen apother lamp Uko it in Hokitika. The lamps could not have been sold withasfeivitness's knowledge. They have three lamps in tho store similar to the second one produced. The lamps are the property of E. and T. Haworth. — Detective Browne deposed that he received information that some property had been stolen, and as he suspected the prisoner, he proceeded to a house on the beach, where he resided with the female Elizabeth Harbinson, and found the lamps wrapped in a piece of . calico in a box. The woman said Sy« monds brought [them there. From enquiries he had made, witness had ascertiined that E. and T. Haworth were the Only people who had lamps in stock like those produced. Prisoner, on being asked by the detective how he came by tho lamp, said he did not know, and added that lie had already given him enough information.— His Worship stated that h.3 would not sentence the prisoner on this charge. He did not consider the property had been sufficiently identified. Assault. — Thotnaa Silvester Downa. master of the brigantine Percy, w^^fe| charged, on the information of John H^^^J ley, " with assaulting him on tho4tb."i^BP^ by striking him with his fist, knocking him down, and otherwise ill-using him."— John Holley being sworn, deposed that he was an ordinary seaman on board the Percy. On Monday, the 4th inst. the defendant, as ho passed witness on deck struck him with his fist. He afterwards shoved him and knocked him down- The defendant also said when he got him down in the cabin he wouid tLrottle him. He afterwards told witness to bring him some water. Witness did so, ana defendant struck him, and took hold of him by the throat. Cross-examined by the defendant — Nicholas Melbsx-ry saw defendant strike him — Nicholas Molberry stated that he saw the master strike the complainant. Aftor striking him he gave him a shove with his elbow and knocked him down. Witness was forward when the blow was struck. He did not hear tho complainant say anything to the master — John Taylor was also called, but was unable to speak as to anything that occurred between the partieson the day inquestion.The defendant denied having assaulted the complainant, and called Ed. Hinds, who deposedthat he was mate of tho Percy. He did not see the master assault the complainant. If he had struck the boy, witness would have either heard or seen him. His worship remarked that on looking the log (which defendant had handed in), he saw an entry to the effect that the complainant had been insolent on the passage. If that was the case the defendant had his remedy. He had no doubt the defendant had committed an assault. His worship fined him LI with costs.