MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 107, 3 October 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHUCCH. Saturday, October 3. [Before G. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.] DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Edward Butler was arrested for being drunk and insulting some females in Armagh street. A married woman gave evidence of the prisoner having followed and spoken to her ; catching hold of her dress, and trying to detain her.

A second witness, who was with the previous one at the time, gave similar evidence. His Worship said, that he had often stated that he would deal seriously with such offences. There were numerous complaints of women being insulted in the streets by drunken men, and this state of things was perfectly intolerable. Prisoner would be fined 60s or 96 hours in default.

Wm. Clark, for drunkenness, was fined 28s or 48 hours. INDECENT ASSAULT. James Stewart was charged, on remand, with this offence. Mr Thomas appeared for the accused. Inspector Buckley called Margaret Dempsy, who stated she was a married woman, living in the Papnnui road. On Sunday, September 27th. she was a prisoner in the lock np in Christchurch. There was a woman in the lock up with her named Elizabeth Bennett. During the night there was a woman put in the cell with them. The woman in the Court is that person. She was very tipsy when brought in, and during the night she was very unwell. In the morning she (the witness) had some conversation with this woman, but she made no complaint and only said she had taken too much drink. J. H. Kersey knew the prosecutrix. Saw her at the Caversham at quarter past seven. He walked about with her until about ten minutes past eight o’clock, and then left her at the Caversham. She was perfectly sober when left her, and had no drink while ha was with her.

In cross-examination this witness stated that he had never heard anything of the complainant, but what was respectable. Mrs Rebecca White stated that complainant stayed at her (witness’) house until late that Sunday afternoon. She had not had a drop of beer or anything else to drink that day.

The employer of the complainant stated that she and her husband were out on that Sunday night visiting a sick friend. They had locked up the house, and it was impossible for this girl to get in until they returned, which was about half-past nine. Mr Thomas called Mrs J. Baldwin who came out as matron of the ship Northampton. The complainant was an immigrant by that vessel; she (complainant) was a fast, forward girl, not truthful or honest, and she (witness) had reason to know that herself. Saw her take a glass of rum one day, which she believed was given to her. William Flynn met the prisoner on last Sunday night. He (prisoner) was with a tall man at the time. Saw them about a quarter to nine. They were crossing from Mr Bennett’s boarding house, to the Borough Hotel, and saw them go into the hotel. The witness Joyce said, yesterday, outside the Court, that his relation (complainamt) would be very willing to settle the matter, and that she told him that she was in company with two other men on the Sunday night. James Hislop knew the man Joyce. He (witness) was working at the Borough Hotel one evening, and he heard Joyce tell one of his (witness) men he didn’t care a button whether she (complainant) went on the streets or not; if she did it would make more money for him. Thomas Willis, barman at the City Hotel, was in the hotel on Sunday night, but did not see the prisoner there. The prisoner could not have got a soda-water full of brandy without his knowing it. Joyce, re-called by his Worship, said that he did not say anything about settling the case, but the man Flynn told him that Stewart would be glad to pay £3O to shut the matter up. The expression stated by the witness Hislop was not correct, what he did say was that he would stick to her through this, but if her character was no cleared up he didn’t care, &c. The prosecutrix recalled, said the matron of the vessel had poured out the rum for her on that day. It was given to all the girls on her birthday by the matron.

After Mr Thomas had addressed the Bench for the accused,

His Worship said he would dismiss the charge against the accused. He had, however, no doubt bnt that the girl was wandering about with some one who had given her spirits. The evidence was very contradictory, and the complainant had been very indiscreet ; but that was all, as there was the evidence of her mistress that she could not get into the house. The complainant had been guilty of so much indiscretion that the whole of her statement could not be received with credence. The case would be dismissed.

At the request of Mr Thomas, his Worship said that there had been nothing in the evidence to connect the accused with this offence.

LYTTELTON. Friday, October 2. [Before W. Donald, Esq., B.M,] REFUSAL OF DUTY,

Charles George Dorsch, a seaman belonging to the ship Cathcart, was charged by Mr Bruce, first officer, with the above offence.

The accused said he was unable to work on account of his eyes being very sore.

Remanded for medical examination until Saturday morning.