RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXV, Issue 3041, 3 September 1870, Page 6

RESIDENT MA GISTRA TE'S CO URT.

0 (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., E,M.) Thursday, September Ist. WHEELING A BARROW ON THE I'OOTPATH. Frederick Hurley was Rued 10s for this breach of tho Constabulary Forco Ordinance. i civil. I Georgo Spackman v. Thomas Wugg. — Claim £10 10s. Paid into Court. John Compton v W. Turnbull.— Claim £35. Adjourned sine die. - B. Cohen v. W. Graham.— Claim £35. Adjourned caso for judgment. Ordered to return Lhe 49 boxes of cigars. Thoso deficient to be accounted for at tho rato of £1 Is per box. Oohcn to refund defendant tho duty and charges amounting to £21 13s with costs. Fkiday, September 2nd. A TLUEXT VAGABOND. Thomas Armstrong made his fourth appearince, being onco a week for tho last four, in tho different character of etowawi.y, inebriate, and prowler, and this morning to hear of his own antecedents. The prisoner did not bear tho appearnice, of a man of fortune, unless, perhaps, of hard Fortune, as lie looked much the worse for wear and tear, and seemed badly oil" for Foap. On examining liim closely, one might bo impressed with the idea :hafc he had been studying colonial experience )n the reverse side for a very long time, so long indeed as to have had an indeliblo impression if it photographed on his outward and visible nan. But prisoner was not at all abashod ; he liad met too many emergencies not to be equal 'o that small occasion, and therefore, rejoicing in his wealth of experience, such us it. had been, ie smiled at tho myrmidons of the law who had gnobly failed during a wholo week to discover iis modest scroll of fame, and comported himself ivith the easy freedom of a man who was master )f tho situation. Tlio arraigning constable said hey had received word by telegram from Piclon hat nothing was known there of the prisoner. His Worship : What have you got to say for yourself? Vug: Well, your Worship, I havo boon for some yenrs leading the life of a digger, until in he course, of my rovings I went to the Wanga>eka rush ; but boing unsuccessful there, 1 came lown and engaged myself to Mr Goultor, and ■emaincd with him until another man turned lp to whom ho had promised employment prior ;o my engagement. Onco more thrown out, I rent clown to Blenheim, and engaged frith Sir Sdward, whore I remained eight weeks, until ifter racing time. As there was no furthor uso 'or mo, 1 loft Mr Edward's and went to tho Irovc at Picton, to a saw mill where I had brmorly worked. I was unfortunate in not >l>ininiijg there the employment I had oxpecled,

and after waiting several creeks I only succeed?! in getting one small job at fencing ; and as jou Worship knows, I was driven, in order to avoi< starvation afc that place, to stow myself away oi bourd the Phoebe. His Worship : I am well aware of your historj sinoe that event. Vug : Pardon me, your Worship ; if you wil allow mo to proceed a little further with ny statement, I feel that I shall be able to dis pel any injurious suspicion you may entertain o my character. His Worship nodded, finding he could no stem the torrent of eloquence. Vag. : After receiving my liberty in this city I searched in vain for employment, and coulc only succeed in getting one day's labor ; anc finding how difficult it was to get work of anj kind to do. I determined on seeking for il elsewhere. I am a sfonenmson by trade, anc was anxious to got to Melbourne, where I hay( formerly worked. However, before carrying mj resolution into effect I fell into the company o. some seamen of the Alesundrina, and— (ilrsl sign of hesitation) — got drunk. I then thought I should join their ship and go to London, where I might have ample scope for my trade. As they told me the vessel would sail in the morning, and having drink in me, I determined to be earlj enough and went on board that night. Of course the mate heard a noise, as I made no attempt at secrecy, and besides, I wear the biggest pair oi boots of any man in tho country. I asked the mate if he would ship mo to go to England, telling him that I was willing to go for nothing. Ho Hind that ho could not ttiko me, and blowed mo up for coming at. that time of night. [Vag. then deridedly became pathetic] Your Worship; no man Ins ever suffered more through drink than I have. However, I have now come to my proper sense?, and am resolved that for tho future I shall do without drink altogether. I intend to earn ray money and keep it ; I shall avoid evil companions. I am determined to go into tho country, where, if I find plenty of employment as a bricklayer or as a stonemason I shall earn a good livelihood, which I shall not squander foolishly. If I hnve Leen a fool, or if 1 have sinned, it has been to myself only aud against myself only. After such a display, what could his Worship do bub compliment the prisoner on hit) remarkable eloquence, and discharge him with a caution, telling him to keep out of suspicious situations for the future, or probably — Vag. hastily interjected his thanks, and vanished before the sentence was concluded. DRUNKENNESS. John Blnney was fined 5s for being drunk and incapable. STKATJXC SPUHS. Thomas Doren, charged by Neil Cameron with stealing a pair of spurs of the value of 7?, was remanded till Monday. Civil,. K. Stokes v. W. Mason.— Claim £30. Judgment reserved. P. Brogan v. W. Jenkins.— Claim £39. Adjourned till to-morrow. A. Diko3 v. J. D. Nicholas.— Claim £8 19s sd. Nonsuited, further costs remitted.