A COLD WATER APOSTLE. John Burke O'Brien, against whom there is a long list of previous con victions, came before Messrs W. Recce, J. C. Sopp. ami E. G. i__og, J.'sP.. on a charge of drunkenness. When charged he poured forth a long story to the effect that his medical adviser had ordered him to keep hi. head cool and his feet warm, and in accordance with the order he had taken a shower bath under the new well in Cathedral square. He had become more saturated with water than he intended to be, ur hud been for a long time past. The Bench cut short liis oration by sending O'Brien to Lyttelton for the next seven days. CHARGE OF ASSAULT. Jas. Mcllhone and Robert- Mitchell, for whom Mr Russell appeared, were charged with assaultiiyi.and beating John Nixon in St. Asaph street on October 28th. Nixon's story was that about 6 p.m. he had just got off the Sumner tram, and was walking along St. Asaph street to his home when the two accused caught hold of him, one at each arm, and endeavoured to pull him into a yard, while a third man pushed him from behind. Complainant wrenched himself free ajid went on to Manchester street, wiiere they again caught him up and with ,-t piece of wood knocked him down and punched him while he was on the ground. His wife ran up. and the accused made off. He had never seen the men be fore that day, when, at Sumner, they were knocking about an old man who was drunk. He took the part of the old man, and tokl the accused they ought to be ashamed of themselves. They wanted to fight plaintiff on the spot, but he left them. They evi dently came to town by the same tram as plaintiff, as when he got off the tram they came up behind him. He dkl not know they were there.
