From Western Post August 14, 1861 POLICE COURT Tuesday August 13 Before the Police Magistrate, his Worship the Mayor, and T CADELL, Esq. Thos. BURNS charged with maliciously destroying property. Mr CLARKE appeared for the defence. Charles POLDEN, baker, on oath, stated that he was standing at the bar of HUGHSON's public house on Thursday, when defendant came up to him in a very familiar way, and greeted him with "how are you Charley?" and at the same time giving him a knock on the head which rendered his hat useless; he gave 15s for it when it was new. Cross-examined by Mr CLARKE: There was no "scrimmaging" of hats at the time when BURNS spoilt his hat; WALSH said "Never mind old man, take my hat"; would not swear that several hats were not thrown into the fire! He took his hat home; it was in such a dilapidated condition that he expected his "missus" had thrown it away. It was perhaps eighteen months since he bought the hat; at the time of the bonneting he considered it was worth ten shillings. T McGUIRE was present at the "scrimmage"; he helped to knock the hats about; his won came in for a share; saw Charley's hat knocked about; all hands had a turn at it; could not say what its value was, as it was not his style of "castor"; did not think he should have picked it up had he seen it lying in the street; each tried to knock one another's hats about; it was like a regular game of blind man's bluff. Mr CLARKE said he had other witnesses, who could prove that the damage was not done intentionally; it was one of those public house games too common in Mudgee. His witnesses, from some cause, not being present, he should only ask their Worships to assess the amount of damage at the value of the old hat, which, form complainant's statement had been in use eighteen months. Verdict 10s and costs. Richard CROSSING was summoned for unlawfully detaining a bullock. Mr CLARKE appeared for Mr CROSSING. John BROOKS said on Saturday he saw a bullock in Mr CROSSING's possession branded JTM on the off rump, which he (complainant) had purchased from Charles WILLIAMS, of Hartley, on the 10th of last month; he lost him about a week afterwards; he knew the bullock by his colour and general appearance, and valued him at 50s. The man of whom he bought him was driving a mob at the time. R CROSSING bought the bullock in question in a mob of cattle he had purchased from MORRIS. It had never been out of his possession since, which was about six weeks. He knew it well; it being an 'old stag' which he tried to sell to a man on the diggings, who when seeing what he was doing said "for goodness sake don't push that one in the lot, whatever you do". James LESTER, stockman to Mr CROSSING said the plaintiff came and claimed the bullock, which had been in his charge for six weeks. This ! being the case, the Bench said they had no alternative but to dismiss the case. ORANGE From our Correspondent August 8th - a melancholy accident occurred here on Sunday evening last by which a young woman named Margaret DARLEY met an awful death from burning. Being in the house alone at the time the immediate cause of the catastrophe must remain shrouded in mystery, and but little light was thrown upon the sad affair at the coroner's inquiry held yesterday. The deceased, who was addicted to intemperance, was found by a man who had occasion to call at the house, lying on the floor with life nearly extinct, but evidently making every effort to crawl to an adjoining room. Medical aid was immediately rendered, but not before the vital spark had fled. Verdict: accidental death..(obscured) ***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