RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3148, 15 March 1871, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Tuesday, Mabch 14. (Before J.C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) VAGBANOY. George Q-ough was sentenced to a month for this offence, apparently more out of charity to his destitute and helpless condition than anything else. STOWING AWAY. . Thos. Brown, who had stolen a passage in the Alhainbra from Nelson, was ordered to pay £2, or in default to be committed for 24 hours. Captain Underwood did nob wish to be severe in the case. ASSAULT. Patrick Minchin chai'ged James Walden with having assaulted him, but the case was dismissed with costs. The litigants then changed pUces, Walden becoming tho proseutor, and on very substantial grounds. It appeared, that Minchin went, in a drunken state, to the house where Waldin lives, and on being ordered off Bhowed fight. Minchin had in his hands at the time a shingler's hammer and a saw, and struck at Walden with them. The latter, although an invalid, as he is suffering with an injured leg, the result of an upset of a coach on election day, managed to convey his respects to Minchin by a severe blow on the eye ; but not before Minchin had murked him on the check with the saw. He had already failed to do so with the hammer. Minchin was fined £3, and £3 Is 6d costs in both cases, being also bound over to keep the peace himself in tbe sum of £10, and one surety in a like amount ; and failing to pay the costs, to go to gaol for fourteen days. The cage against the Osborno family of Pahautanui, which had been adjourned for some days, was finally disposed of. T. Smith charged the Osbornes, pater and mater faniiliae, and their youthful progeny with having assaulted him. The charge against the children was dismissed immediately ; but tho examination of Mr and Mrs Osborne occupied the Court for some time. The charge seemed of a somewhat trumpery nature, and did not evince tho possession of much discretion or judgment on the part of Smith, a young man. It appeared, however, that tho occurrence took place only a day or so after the Osbornes became released from their bonds in a former case of a like nature, binding them over to keep the peace, and of course the name was in bad odor ia Court.

Inspector Atchison gave Osborno pere a very good character but was silent as to the amiability of tho better half. Both of them stoutly denied the charges and tried to fit Smith with them, but as they were without witnesses, and his Worship refusing to make another adjournment, the case went against them. Smith had witnesses. His Worship ordered tho defendants to keep the peace for 6 months, Osborne in £10 and two sureties in alike amount ; and also to become surety for his wife.