RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1427, 12 January 1885, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASH B UR I ON—To-day.

(Before H. 0. S. Baddeloy, Esq., R.M.

Drunkenness and Obscene Language. —VV. Shayer was charged with drunkenness, using obscene language in a public place, and disturbing the Salvation Army daring their devotions on Saturday eveninor. —Mr Branson appeared for the accused. —Sergeant Felton and Constable Beddek gave evidence as to the arrest of accused in East street and the character of the language used, which appeared to be of a most filthy description. The former stated that some forty ladies.were in the vicinity, and within hearing at the time. —Reuben Smith, “ captain ” of the Ashburton contingent of the salvation Army, sud that the Army were holding an open air meeting on a small plot at the junction of East and Burnett streets on Saturday evening. The accused came out of the Somerset Hotel, and approaching the Army, threw a pint of beer, which he had held in his hand, over three of the soldiers. On beiig remonstrated with by witness, accused made use of abusive language. —Mr Branson having addressed the Bench, his Worship fined accused 20s and costa or 48 hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness, 20) and costa with the alternative of 43 hours’ imprisonment for disturbing the array, and 48 hours’ imprisonment on the charge of using obscene language. , , Drunkenness. —John Connell, charged with being drunk on the previous day, was remanded till Friday for medical treatment. —A first offender was discharged with a caution for drunkenness. Ellen Danby was charged with drunkenness at Rakaia, and with having broken a window in the Bou ; .h Rakaia hotel. ?Oonstable Bourke deposed that the accused while drunk had wifu ly broken a window in the hotel.—The accused was fined 20s, with the alternative hours’ imprisonment for the d unkenness, and 40s, with the alternative of 14 days’ imprisonment, for breaking the window. Breaking a Window. —William Douglas was charged with having wilfully broken a pane of glass at the house on Mr I. R. 0. C. Graham’s station at Alford Forest,—Mr Crisp appeared for the complainant, and Mr Branson for the defendant. —John Mooro, shepherd for the complainant, said that |he knew the defendant, who was boundary keeper for the complainant. On Christmas eve the defendant had called witness to lot him into the house. While witness was preparing to comply with the request he heard a pane of glass broken. Shortly afterwards the door of the house was burst open, and defendant, who was drunk, entered. Witness did not see the g ass broken or the door opened.—The Magistrate said ha thought the evidence was insufficient to convict the accused, and the information was dismissed.