RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WELLINGTON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1892, 9 July 1863, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WELLINGTON.

Wednesday, July Bth. (Before H. St Hill, Esq., 8.M.)

Jeremiah Corcoran, private of the 14th regiment, was placed at the bar charged by Constable Harris with having assaulted him while in the execution of his duty on Monday evening last. The prisoner pleaded " not guilty." Wm. Harris, being sworn, deposed — I am a private of police, and I know the defendant I have known him since- he has been here. Between 5 and 6 o'clock on Monday afternoon, I was ordered by Inspector Atchiaon to go up the beach aB there was a row with some of the soldiers. I was going up the beach, when, opposite Austin's ahop, I met the mob of soldiers coming down. I think there were about 100. They were armed with ■ticks and other weapons, and they were breaking windows right and left I was knocked down by some of the soldiers, but I cannot say which one. When I got up, I followed the soldiers to where they had halted opposite Barrett's Hotel. They then turned and I met them again. I was speaking to Corporal Wilson, of the 14th, on the footpath, telling him to get the men away quietly, when prisoner came up and struck me with his belt across the head. The blow did not hurt me much! A private named Muphy came up. then, and Corporal Wilson ordered him to go on. When Corcoron Btruck me with his belt he ran after the mob. I cannot say whether Murphy joined the mob. I see Private Murphy in Court. The prtaoner was with the mob of soldiers. The mob was very riotouß. They were hitting everyone they could come across. I afterwards met an officer of the 14th, and showed him what the soldiers had done, and he told me that he could aot interfere with them, or they would serve him the Bama way as they served me. I don't know the officer's name, but he was a low-sized gentleman. I swear positively that the prisoner is the man who struck me. There was a good light at the place where the prisoner struck me.

The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say in his defence, said that he knew nothing whatever of the matter, having been in barracks at the time it was asserted he had committed the assault

The Besident Magistrate said he was determined to take stringent measures with every one who could be proved to have taken any part hi the disgracf ul outrage. He would, therefore, commit the prisoner for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court