RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

West Coast Times, Issue 840, 2 June 1868, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before G. G. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.) Monday, June 1. Drunk and Incapable. — Patrick Whelan and Thomas Bice, were each fined ten shillings, or in detault of payment to be imprisoned for four-and-twenty hours. Drunk and Disorderly. — Mary Ann Hamill, alias Smith, aftas Kirkpatrick, was charged with his offence. Three previous convictions for drunkenness were recorded against this woman within the last twelve months, an|. his Worship sentenced her to one month's imprisonment, without the option of paying a fine. She was further charged with using obscene language in a public place, for which she was fined L 2, or in default of payment, to be imprisoned for four days. Vagrancy. — John Donaldson was charged with having no visible lawful means of support. Detective Dyer deposed that he had known the prisoner for the last six months, and during that time h n had never known him to do any work. He was constantly to be seen loitering about in the bars of public houses. — At this stage of the proceedings the Inspector of Police applied for a remand until the following day, when he would be-in a position to adduce additional evidence in support of the charge. — Tho prisoner was accordingly remanded till the 2nd inst. Breach of Police Ordinance.— Henry Develin, for indecency, was fined L 2 and costs. / Breach of Westland Harbor Regulations. — John West (who failed to appear) was fined L 2 and costs for removing drift wood from the sea beach, near the port of Hokitika, without the permission of the Harbor Master. Breach of Westland Public-house Ordinance. — Alfred Dyson was summoned under clause 10 of the above recited Ordinance of permitting gambling to be carried on in his licensed house, the British Empire Hotd, The clause runs

as follows :—": — " It shall not be lawful for any licensed person to permit gambling of any kind whatever to be carried on in his house or premises licensed, under a penalty not exceeding L 20." The defendant admitted that two horses were raffled in his house, but he was not aware that he was in any way infringing the law. In reply to a question from the Bench, the Inspector of Police stated that he was not desirous of pressing the charge ; he had the information laid in order that the practice might be put a stop to ; His Worship said he would not take it upon upon himself to say that raffles did not come under the head of gambling, but in this instance he would not inflict any fine. The information was accordingly dismissed. The Court then adjourned till 11 o'clock next day.