MAGISTERIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1926, 23 August 1888, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON— THUBSDAY. (Before Mr C. A. Wray, R.M.) ALLEGED WIFE DESERTION. Henry JSeal, who was brought In custody from Christohurch, was obarged with having deserted his wife. Accused pleaded not guilty. Annie Neal, wife of the accused said that be left her about the 4th of the month, leaving her and seven children entirely destitute. Witness had been receiving rations from the Charitable Aid Board for some months, bat these had been stopped, the authorities telling her that she must take proceedings against her husband for her support. Her husband, if he were not addicted to drink, would be able to keep her. When he got any money he gave i< to witness. — la reply to tbe Bench the witness said tbat she did not think that her husband had any money when he went to Ohrlstchuroh. She thought it was the best thing to do, and she advised him to go. She did not have him brought back because of his refusing to support her, but because of the Charitable Aid Board not providing for her maintenance. —Sergeant Falton explained the position of the Charitable Aid Board In the matter, the man having frequently thrown the support of his wife and children on charity while he loafed about drinking. The Charitable Aid Board refused to maintain the wife and children any longer as accused was perfectly able to support them. — The Magistrate said that tbe charge of wife desertion oould not be sustained, but he advised the accused to mend his ways and get work, or he would be liable to be taken up es a vagrant, ASSAULT AND BATTERY. Robert Johns was charged with having aiianlted Patrick Oashan— Mr Outhbertaon appeared for the acoused who pleaded guilty.— Sergeant Felton said that on the evenlngof the2lßt, Cashan,who wasa quiet, elderly man, came to him. He was cut and bleeding about the face. He was quite sober.— Mrs Stribling, boradinghouse keeper, said that she saw Johns strike Casban tffice, Oashan saying that he did not want to fight, Johns had his ooat off, and his sleeves rolled up. Oashan w<t« sober, but Johns seemed to have had o little drink.. She did not know what led up to the row.— By Mr Outhbertson : Did not see Caahan kick Johns or "leave the mark of bli fingers " on his oeck.— James Swan said that when he saw the row first Oaehan had hold of Johns by the throat, Johns then struck Oasban, and the Utter klokedUohns.— Patrick Oaohan said that Johns without any provocation struck witness In the face twice. Witness had his hands in his pockets when be was first struck, Witness then caught him "or the flesh would have been skinned off his face In no time." Witness was Bober, but Johns appeared to have had a few drinks. In the afternoon before the row Johns made a remark about the landlady, whioh witness objeoted to.— ln reply to the Court, the witness said that Johns who was a "fighting man" had once or twice previously challenged him to fight.— There had, it appeared, been blokerings between the two on former ocoaaions. — Mr Cuthbertaon addressed the Oourt, asking that accused might be leniently dealt with, as there was a good deal of blame for the affair attached to Cashan.— Sergeant Felton said that tbe acoused was one of a number of young men who prided themselves on their pugilistic skill, and who were always challenging people to fight, It Was mainly In consequence of this that the police brought the case, as there was a general feeling that the behavior of these young men should be put a stop to. — The Magistrate said he was loth to send a young man like tbe tcoased to prison, though he deserved it, A fine of 20s and costs was Inflicted. UNEZGI6TEREB DOG. Alexander Turner was oharged with being the owner of an unreg'stured dog. It appeared the dog was registered as a black and tan, though in reality it was of another color. The Magistrate warned the defendant In future to properly describe his dog. — Case dismissed, INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AOr. James Milne, a respeotahle-looklng lad of about 13, was oharged under the Industrial Sohools Act with having no settled place of abode. It appeared from tbe statement of the police that the lad oould not get on with his stepmother. The police asked the case to be adjourned pine die, as Mr Oroy was willing to take oharge of the boy, Mr Coty had had charge of the boy some time ago, and spoke highly of his behavior then. — Tbe Magistrate ordered the ci»se to stand over, with a view to the lad being taken in hand by Mr Oroy. civil cabbs. - J. Henry v A. Wells, claim £9 4e on a dishonored qheque,— Mr Cuthbertson for plaintiff. Judgment for plaintiff by default. j . Henry vH. Semple, claim £3 Bb.— Mr Cuthbertson for plaintiff, Jadgment for plaintiff by default. Upper Ashburton Boad Board v Thos. Bolger, claim 7s for rates Judgment for 1 plaintiff by d3fault, 1 Upper Ashburton Road Board v Alex. Tamer, olalm 16s 9d for rates. Judgment for plaintiff by default R. Lancaster v Alex. Spring, olaim £2 ■ 10a 9d. Judgment for plaintiff by default. 2, Lancaster v Jas. Tait, olaim £1 10s 4d. Judgment foe plaintiff by default. R. Lancaster v Chas. Ohamblin, claim 11s 3d. — Defendant said that be had done some work for Lancaster, and as he oould not get tbe money ho took It out In meat. — Judgment for plaintiff. J. O. Duncan v &. Cox. olaim £2 17* lid. Judgment for plaintiff. Thp Oourt then roiaj