MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 64, 14 August 1874, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

OHRISTCHURCH. Friday, August 14. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq, R.M ) DRUNK AND INDECENT EXPOSURE. William Tracey, arrested by Constable Davis for this offence committed in Madras street, was fined 20s and cab hire. Michael Ryan, arrested for drunkenness, was fined 6s. PAWNBROKER'S LICENSE. H.B. Nathan, Colombo street, applied for a renewal of his pawnbroker's license. His Worship told the applicant that he had had his application under consideration, as he had found that he (Mr Nathan) had placed an exceedingly impertinent notice in the Court receipt book when paying in some money, which course he preferred to take, to having'the case heard in the Court. The words in the book were, " The money is paid not because it is just, but under a threat from Mr Bowen." Now, he (his Worship; had never spoken to the applicant on thi3 subject at all. ~ > Mr Nathan—Sergeant Willis mentioned your name, and held out a threat when he came to me. : His Worship called Sergeant Willis, who stated than when he was sent to Mr Nathan's to see about this money, he told him that he had better pay it back, or it would be remembered when the application for his license came on. He had not mentioned Mr Bowen's name at all. His Worship—From what he (his Worship) had heard.would have preferred that the case had been brought into Court as he had his own opinion about it/ and his impression was that it was a scandalous and dishonest transaction. The circumstances were these—a foreigner (an Indian) went to his (Nathan's) place to purchase a watch, and paid some money towards its purchase, and he (Nathan) got this man to sign a piece of paper saying that the watch would be forfeited if the balance of the money were not paid within a certain time, and at the same time he (Nathan) kept the watch in his own possession, and would not hand it over to the man. Mr Nathan—" That is the usual way of doing business." His Worship—Well, all I can say is, that the man who usually transacts his business in that way is not fit to hold a pawnbroker's license. : His Worship continued to say that the man then came to him, and complained of the manner he had been treated, and he (his Worship) told him to take out a summons. This was done, but he (Nathan) preferred to pay the money into the office to having the case tried in Court, and at the same time wrote the impertinent note which he (his Worship) had referred to. He would adjourn the application until Monday next.

Thursday, August 13.

[Before "W. Donald, Esq., K.M.] ASSAULT. Wm. Morton was charged by George Constance with this offence: Upon the application of Mr Nalder, who appeared for.the complainant, the case was adjourned until to-morrow. CIVIL CASES.

Aylmer v Smith, claim £25 being amount of a promissory note dishonored. Mr Nalder appeared for the plaintiff, for whom judgment was given,for full amount, and £2 lis Court costs witfr'pro-fessional fee. Virice v H. B. Johnstone, claim 5s for boat fare from the •watermens' steps to s.s. Atrato and back. Mr Nalder appeared for the plaintiff. Plaintiff stated "that he took the defendant, in company with Mr Kennaway, to the Atrato. PMervesserWaa then laying, in the 2s 6d fare. Mr Johnstone contended at some length that the charge was extortionate, and upon this ground he refused to pay. Mr Nalder having replied, judgment was given for the plaintiff for the full amount, with Court costs 10s, professional fee £1 Is. A similar case against Mr Kennaway was withdrawn, the money being paid after the termination of the previous case. Mainer v Miller, master of the Peeress, claim £7 for luggage lost by plaintiff, who was an immigrant by the Peeress. Mr Nalder for defendant. This case was partly gone into and adjourned until Monday next.