From Western Post 31 August 1861: POLICE COURT Friday August 30 Before the Police Magistrate and his Worship the Mayor. William LYONS was fined 5s for being drunk in Market-street. Margaret JOHNSON, charged with stealing a water cask. Constable MILLER said he apprehended the prisoner upon warrant, and found the cask in a bed room, the door of which was nailed up; prisoner confessed that she had put it there. Edward BAYLY said the cask was stolen, with a quantity of wood, form the Cudgegong Council Chamber; from information he received he went with the constable to prisoner's residence and found it in a bedroom, the door of which was nailed and the window covered with a thick piece of canvas; he valued the cask at ten shillings. The prisoner pleased forgiveness on account of her child and her husband being away from her upwards of four years, during which time he had only sent her money once. This being her first offence, and taking into consideration her previous conduct, the Bench sentenced her to fourteen days' imprisonment. SUDDEN DEATH An inquest as held on Friday morning, by W KING, Esq., M.D. Coroner for this District, at the Fountain of Friendship, on the body of Francis McNAMARA, alias HILL, better known as "Frank the Poet". Robert WELSH having been sworn, said that the deceased had resided with him on the Pipe Clay Creek diggings. They came into Mudgee together on Wednesday, deceased left him, and promised to meet him by a certain time at Mr McQUIGGAN's. He then went to PHILLIPS', and found him in bed; he asked for some water; he was half drunk. He advised deceased to get up; he replied "Put your hand in my pocket and take out what is there". Had known him for eight years. He had a complaint which caused him to spit blood. He earned a great deal of money, and spent I very freely; had known him to obtain "hundreds a week" at Tambaroora. The wind used to annoy him very much in the hut in which he resided. He was no better for his visit to Mudgee. The day before they had been drinking together all day off and on. John McDERMID deposed: That he had been working with previous witness since the end of last month; he came into Mudgee on Thursday to see what was keeping him and deceased. He met WELSH, who was nearly tipsy, in PHILLIPS' tap-room and said "You promised not to get drunk" He replied how can I help it, Frank is very bad. He then went to see deceased, who made no reply to a question he put to him respecting his health. Shortly after, he called WELSH and told him to get some money owing to him in Mudgee, and to give him (witness) half, and died directly after. He used to complain of a pain in his shoulder. During the time he resided with them his appetite was good. He had no effects, excepting some papers. He never cared for clothes. Arthur Thomas Piggott CUTTING, being duly sworn, stated that he was a duly qualified medical practitioner; he had viewed and examined the body and it was opinion that the deceased came to his death by the effects of cold and inanition. The ! jury found a verdict accordingly. DUBBO COURT OF REQUESTS From our Correspondent Wednesday, August 21 Before J M MARSH, Esq., P.M., J RYRIE, and W TIBBITS, Esq., J.P.'s. Benjamin LEACH v J A IRVINE - Plaintiff claimed £6 10s for a saddle. No appearance on the part of defendant. Verdict for plaintiff, costs 7s. J M'INTYRE v James FRAZIER - This was a case of horse hire. Plaintiff claimed £5 for the use of a horse for fifteen days. It was proved the horse was not returned in the same condition as when delivered. Verdict for plaintiff to be paid within a fortnight. COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS John DUNN was charged with having made use of profane and obscene language on Sunday, 11th instant, at his house at Dubbo and on divers other occasions within public hearing. Defendant pleaded guilty. Sir Frederick POTTINGER having been duly sworn, said he did not wish to press the charge against the defendant, but to effect a proper caution and an example to others. The defendant was a hard-working man, but unfortunately was apt to take a drop too much. Fined £1. Ann COONAN v Marianne GOOD - Plaintiff in this case brought a bill to defendant for dressmaking, with a dress partly finished; she did not feel disposed to give up the dress till the account was settled. It appears that an attempt was made on the part of the defendant to gain possession of the dress, high words were exchanged, and the bill for the time being duly paid by a blow producing a black eye. The Bench decided that there being no witnesses to the assault, the case must be dismissed. Sexton M'CAULEY v constable COONAN - This was a case of slander against plaintiff's wife. The Bench decided they had no jurisdiction. J RYRIE v LAMP - Defendant was a shepherd boy in the service of plaintiff, and had absconded from his service. Plaintiff would not press the charge, and spoke in high terms of the boy, who had ran away in consequence of some difference he had had with his parents. The Bench, taking into consideration the prisoner's youth and the punishment he had already undergone (having been in the black hole for five or six days) fined him 10s. J RYRIE v BROWN and wife. - The defendants had agreed in Sydney as general useful servants. It was proved by a respectable witness that the wife could neither cook nor wash, and had refused on several occasions to do her work. £18 expenses had been paid for the conveyance from Sydney. The husband's conduct during the proceedings were such that he had to be locked up. Verdict wages and agreement cancelled. ***END*** N.B. All care has been taken to transcribe the above accurately, however errors may have been inadvertently made. Spelling of names/places should be as appears in original. Transcribed from microfilm available from the State Library. Annette Piper Coolah NSW