MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 101, 26 September 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, September 26. [Before C. 0. Bowen, Esq., R.M.] DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Phoebe Miller, an old woman, was charged with this offence. Constable Sheehan had arrested the accused the previous day in front of the Government Buildings, incapabably drunk. Mr Callender, charitable aid officer, said the woman was in receipt of charitable aid to the extent of 10s a week. She had been ejected from the house she was living in, as it was in such a filthly state, and the Government would not see her thrown on the street. Very great difficulty had been found in getting a place for her to live in, and a Mrs Sperrin had received the money for her keep. His Worship lectured the accused for getting drunk, while in receipt of Government aid, and fined her 10s, or forty-eight hours. LYTTELTON. Thursday, September 24. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] CIVIL CASES. Hilton v Belgrave. Mr O’Neill for plaintiff ; Mr H. N. Nalder for defendant. This was a claim of £2O for wrongful conversion of a chest of clothes which plaintiff, who formerly lodged at defendant’s, alleged to have left in his care. Plaintiff stated that he formerly lodged at Belgrave’s hotel, and that he left there in December last, leaving a chest of clothes, which he alleged the barman detained, and that the clothes were of the value stated. Defendant swore that plaintiff left without his knowledge, and that he did not detain or authorise anyone to detain plaintiff’s box, and that he was not aware it was in the house until, some months after, he received a message from a Captain Ray, sent by plaintiff, that he (plaintiff) was going to claim, and that he had left a box of clothes enough to pay what he owed in defendant’s house. That he (plaintiff) then searched and found plaintiff’s box in an outhouse, where he supposed plaintiff had placed it, and on opening it found it empty, except a few small items ; that the box was still in his house, and plaintiff had been informed by him he could have it, After argument by counsel, the Bench decided that plaintiff must be non-suited, with costs, as there was no evidence to show a wrongful conversion. Dockery v Bevins. Mr O’Neill for plaintiff; Mr Nalder for defendant. Claim £7O, for use and occupation of certain lands belonging to plaintiff. After hearing evidence, the Bench decided they could not hear the case, as a question of title to the land was involved. Friday, September 25. ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE FROM SHIP. John Sutherland, mate of barque John Knox, was charged by Captain Davis with being absent from the above-named barque without leave. Mr O’Neill appeared for Captain Davis, and Mr H. N. Nalder for defendant. The evidence, after being fully gone into, went to show that the defendant was ordered out of the ship by Captain Davis, who afterwards wanted him back, refusing to give him his discharge. The Bench reserved its decision until a case of assault, laid by the mate against Captain Davis, was gone into, when they dismissed the former case, and fined Captain Davis £1 for the assault, with solicitor’s fee £1 Is. CIVIL CASES. Sutherland v Davis; claim £l7 14s for wages, due as mate of John Knox. The same counsel appeared, and after a lengthy hearing the Bench reserved judgment until to-morrow morning.