CHARGES AND OFFENCES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4147, 6 November 1884, Page 3

CHARGES AND OFFENCES.

-•■■■■■■ : Chbistchtjkch, This day. This morning, Michael P. M'Carthy, seaman of the H. J. Libby, American barque, who was committed to gaol by the Kesident Magistrate at Lyttelton, was brought before Mr Justice Johnston on a writ of Habeas corpus. , Mr Wesfon,'with" him Mr Joyce, appeared for the prisoner. Mr Harper appeared to watch the proceedings on the part of the American Consul. The magistrate wds unrepresented. After reading the affidavits giving a history of the case, his Honor said that the form of commitment was bad. The magistrate had seen that he had , no jurisdiction, and no convictioii had taken place. The magistrate's intention was to detain the prisoner in custody '■ until the American consul could intervene, 'biit the warrant of commitment alleged that the man had been conyic-

ted. The commitment was, therefore, bad ; as the man had not been adjudicuted upon for his offence. The 'prisoner was entitled to hia discharge, but it was to be 'understood that this did not interfere with the Consul's right to apply for an extradition order in proper form, nor did it prevent the captain of tho ship moving again in the matter if he pleased. The prisoner was then discharged. ;.: . t ; ' ' TiHARtr, This day. A man named Thomas Parks was committed for trial at Geraldiue yesterday, for a criminal assault on a girl between 13 and 14 year.? of ago.