RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2629, 30 January 1868, Page 4

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Tuesday, January 28. (Before J. 0. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) USING abusive and tabeatening language. Joseph Browne was charged by Edward E. Morton with using abusive and threatening language. Mr Allan appeared for the defendant. Complainant stated that on Saturday afternoon last he was on his way to see the presentation of a bugle to the Artillery corps, and while passing the Evening Post office, tho defendant came out, and walked away on his left. Witness saw nothing more of him until near Mcintosh's when hearing footsteps behind, he turned and saw Browne. Complainant stopped, and defendant stopped also. Complainant then looked into Wrigglesworth's shop-window, thinking defendant would move away, but instead of doing so, tho latter imitated his example, and looked into the window. Complainant then seeing Mr Brandon, walked on with that gentleman as far as Warmoll's and was there joined by Mr Cheesman and his two daughters. Witness complained to Mr Cheesman that it was very hard he Bhould be annoyed by Brown crossing his path afc every step he took. Browne, who was close behind, then jumped upon Mr Cheesman's toes, and jostled against witness, nearly causing him to break a window. Browne kept repeating, " I want somebody to strike me ; I want somebody to strike me I" Mr Spackman then joined them, and Browne folhwed them as far as Warmoll's, repeatedly crossing in front of them, and repeating the same words. Witness saw the Resident Magistrate and said he would go and complain to him. Spackman remonstrated with Browne, whereupon Browne said, holding out his clenched fist, "By God, I shall take Mr Morton's life, or he shall take mine." Witness then left defendant. Cross-examined by Mr Allan : I did not strike defendant's foot with the stick I had in my hand. I did not say to Browne, " I'll have your property yet." My sollciwr is oiideavoring to recover my I money from Browne. I did not say " You b — d wretch, I'll strike your face with my stick," or ' words of that character. I did not say to Browne, " I'll have a red shirt on you yet." [ have not to my knowledge Baid " I'll sell Browne up and put him in gaol afterwards." I neither struck at nor spoke to defendant. Browne did not say to me, "It will be a matter of life and death if you attempt to strike me." lam in bodily fear of defendant. I believe if he met me in the dark he would stick a knife into mo. He is a man capable of anything, from pitch and toss to manslaughter. Robert S. Cheesman, solicitor, deposed to seeing defendant hold up hia left hand and walk alongside Morton near the Evening Post office. They appeared to be in conversation. Witness crossed the street with his daughters afc Warmoll's, and himself walked along with Morton and Browne. The latter was very mnch excited, and used strong language, such as " You have used me very badly j you have sold my property," and other expressions of a like character. Witness recommended defendant not to annoy complainant 1 but to go back ; the latter, however, would not \ take his advice, and when near Marriott's, Browne said, "You wretch, you have got my property ; I will have your life," or he might have said, " By God, I shall have your life or you 6hall take mine." I tock Morton on one side and recommended him to apply to the Resident Magistrate. George Spackman, timber merchant, residing at the Hutt, corroborated the evidence of the complainant and the last witness. > o evidence was called for the defence. Defendant was bound over to keep the peace for six months, himself in the sum of £20, and two sureties for like amounts each. Wednesday, Januaey 29. [Before W. R. E. Browne, Esq., J.P.] DRUNKENNESS. Patrick Gill charged with being drunk and creating a disturbance in the Native Lands Court, was fined ss.