RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 22, 15 November 1879, Page 4

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Fbiday, Nov. 14.

(Before Thos. Bullock, Esq., J.P.) James Sullivan, on remand, was charged with being found drunk in East street. S. Maddison, master of the Old Men’s Home, stated that Sullivan was a quiet man, except when in drink. The Bench gave him a lecture, and the prisoner was discharged on the understanding that he was to be on his good behavior for the future, and to abjure beer so long as he remained an inmate of the Home, Garret Gough and Gough were charged with having no visible means of support. ■ Constable Maroney, deposed that Mr Gough had been about three weeks in Ashburton, and both, bore a very bad character in Christchurch. Constable Beaumont said that they had had twelve months on achargeof vagrancy, and on two other occasions a month and a fortnight respectively. The prisoners did not deny the facts, but stated in defence that it was only for having a drop of drink which they were in the habit of indulging in. The Bench sentenced them to two months with hard labor each, which was objected to as being too much. assault. George Smith was charged with assaulting a Railway guard in the execution of his duty. McFarlane, Railway guard, stated that prisoner had refused to show his ticket in the train, and on arrival at Ashburton had struck him and knocked him down. Mr Pilkington, stationmaster, corroborated the evidence of the guard as to the assault, which was unprovoked, and very severe, the guard being insensible for some minutes afterwards.

Constable Beaumont deposed that after arresting Smith he had searched him, and his effects consisted of sixpence, a knife, and a pipe, and he had no railway ticket in hie possession. Smith said that he was drunk, and had intended to get out at Bakaia, and was vexed at finding himself at Ashburton, hence the assault. The Bench fined him £6 or a month’s mprisonment.