MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 61, 10 August 1874, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, August 10, (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.] VAGRANCY. A charge of this nature was preferred against George Leech, who had gone into a house and committed an act of exposure in the presence of some children. The evidence of the ohildren proved the offence. Prisoner said be had been drinking and knew nothing of the circumstance. His Worship said he considered the offence one of extreme gravity. He felt from the evidence that he ought to inflict the full penalty the law permitted, but before doing so would give the evidence full consideration and with that object ho would remand the prisoner until to-morrow. LARCENY OF 'TOBACCO. John Lecce was charged with the larceny of some tobacco the property of Thomas Lee, grocer, High street. Chief-Detective Feast said that on Saturday morning he took possession of the tobacco produced, from the barman of the City Hotel. Afterwards saw the prisoner at the bar of the hotel. Called him outside and asked him if be could account for the possession of the tobacco be bad sold the previous evening. He (prisoner) denied any knowledge of the tobacco. Took him into the bar and he again denied having sold any tobacco to the barman. The barman then handed witness the receipt (produced) as the one prisoner had given him when he sold him the tobacco. John Oldham, barman at the City Hotel, remembered the prisoner being at the hotel on Friday evening. After he had some drink he went away, and returned with the tobacco (produced), and offered it for sale. Bought the tobacco from him, but in the meantime sent the waiter for a detective. Got the receipt from prisoner when he (witness) purchased the tobaceo. Afterwards gave it up to the police. The prisoner said he wanted £2 10s for it. Thomas Foster gave evidence of being in the hotel when prisoner sold the tobacco produced to the barman. Thomas Lee, grocer in High street, missed a. lump of tobacco on Saturday morning last from his shop. The, tobacco produced is the same. The value of the tobacco is about £5. It was placed at one side of the shop door. The prisoner told the Bench that ho gor the tobacco from a man, but he did not know his name. He (prison er) was a gardener by trade, and came over from Melbourne about twelve months’ ago. Sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor. DRUNK AND USING ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. Jans Thompson was charged with being dmnk and using improper language in the presence of some ladies. Mrs Thomas stated to the Bench that the prisoner had used very improper language in the presence of some ladies who were purchasing at her shop. His Worship told the prisoner that he would deal seriously with him for the offence. He would be fined £5, or, in default, one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Daniel Stalker, for this offence, was fined 10a., and William Yarcoe, for being drunk while in charge of a horse and trap, was fined 20s. LYTTELTON. Saturday, August 8. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Edward Jones was charged by Sergeant Major O’Grady with this offence, and fined 20s. ASSAULT. Peter Walsh was charged by Henry Hewstone with this offence. Mr Nalder appeared for the defendant After hearing evidence, the Bench fiued the defendant £1 and costs CIVIL CASES. Beath and Company v Husband, master of Atrato, claim, £27 Bs. This ca.se wap, upon the application of the plaintiff, adjourned, until Monday.