DRUNKENNESS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14844, 9 December 1913, Page 2

DRUNKENNESS.

(Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.)

One first offender for drunkenness was fined os, with the alternative of twenty-four hours' imprisonment. DISTURBED CATHEDRAL SERVICE Samuel Ledshaw, a middle-aged man, on the verge of delirium tremens, pleaded guilty to charges of drunkenness and disturbing a congregation assembled for public worship in the Church of England Cathedral. Senior-Sergeant Mathieson 6tated that the man had vomiu in the Cathedral. "I would like jour Worship to peruse his record," he added. The Magistrate convicted tho accused, declared him to be an habitu-l criminal, and ordered him to be tv tamed at Roto Roa for twelve montiis. ASSAULT. Roland John Ranger pleaded not guilty to assaulting John, Fleming on Saturday last in a public place. *I saw the accused strike Fleming," said Constable Hamilton. "Accused used his clenched fist, and knocked Fleming down. Fleming got up and again accused struck him and knocked him down." Accused: Did you see him strike m e?—l am quite sure he did not. "Your Worship, he called mc names," protested the accused. 'What did he call you?" asked Mr Bishop. '"He called mo some nasty names, that I would not care to repeat in Court." Tho Magistrate: No? Quite shocking, I -suppose. To the Senior Sergeant: Any record ? Accused's previous convictions included one for theft. The Magistrate added another conviction to tho list, fining him 40s, in default ono month's imprisonment. A WIFE-BEATER. Patrick Morgan pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife. Accused: I am sorry for what I did. The Magistrate: You are a big nuisance. Accused: I can assure you that if you givo mo a chance, I will never do it again. Tlio Magistrate: There is no use in asking for leniency. You are becoming a public nuisance. You get one or two glasses of liquor in you, and you commence to beat your wife, and alarm the neighbourhood. Then she flies off to tho police-station, and there is a general' "set-to" all round. She begged you off once, but it won't happen again. Accused: Tako a prohibition order out against mo? ' The Magistrate: I'll do that in any case. You 'will be prohibited for twelve months, and will have to find security in £25, that you will keep the peace for six months. Next case? "And," added the Magistrate, as the accused steoped down from the box, '•next time t will send you to gaol. I'm not going to play the fool with you any more." CIVIL CASES. . Judgment by default was entered for plaintiffs, with costs, in the following cases: —Adams, Ltd. (Mr Johnston) v. R. Frew, £9 14s 2d; J. D. Williams and Co. CMr Johnston) v. A. S. Lamb, £9 14s 2d. A YOUNG WOMAN'S CLAIM. Annie E. Huggins (Mr Hunter) claimed from Charles W. Billcliff (Mr Johnston) the sum of £16 2s Bd, as damages in connoxion with an accident. ; Plaintiff said that on September, last she was riding a bicycle near tho junction of St. John street and Ferry road, Woolston, when the defendant, who was riding a motor-cycle, by reason of negligent riding, collided with her. She was thrown to the ground, and sustained a sever shock, and was badly bruised. Her bicycle was much damaged. s She claimed £5' as . general damages, and the balance for medical expenses, repairs to her bicycle, etc. After hearing evidence, the.; Magis-. trato said that there was a pure case of negligent driving. Ho gave judgment for £13 2s Bd.