MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 160, 9 December 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, December 9. [Before G. L. Meliish, Esq, R.M.] DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. John P. Meehan for drunkenness was fined 5s and cab hire. George Stevens, an old offender, charged with being drunk, was fined 60s, or seven days, and strongly cautioned. Walter Stiles, ss, and cab hire. William Spencer, ss, and cab hire. LUNACY FROM DRINK. Morgan Harper, who had been remanded to Lyttelton for medical treatment, was brought up, and, being recovered, was discharged. A second charge of stealing a pair of boots from James Purcell at Oxford was then preferred against Harper. On the application of Sergeant Mullens prisoner was remanded to Rangiora, to appear there on the 10th of December, at 11 a.m. VAGRANCY. Alfred Saunders was charged on remand with this offence. Mr Topping, gaoler at Addington Gaol, stated that prisoner had been suti'ering very much fiom the effects of drink. The evidence of the prisoner having begged money from a gentleman on Sunday last at the gardens for the purpose of getting food, and receiving 2s, was immediately seen to go into into an hotel for the purpose of obtaining drink, was repeated. Evidence was also given of the prisoner's loafing habits, after which he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor as a vagrant. LYTTELTON. Tuesday, December 8. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and H. R, Webb, Esq., J.P.] ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, John Blackmore accused his wife, from whom he is separated, of this offence. Mr H. N. Nalderfor complainant. The Bench, before hearing the case, stated that he had received a letter from defendant, and reprehended severely such an endeavor being made to influence justice, stating that had it happened in the Supreme Court she would probably have been committed for contempt of Court. The case was then proceeded with. It appeared that defendant, who is allowed 17s 6d per week by plaintiff, is continually following him about and annoying him. The Bench stated that this course of conduct, for which she had already been cautioned, must be put a stop to, and ordered her to find one surety, in the sum of £SO, to keep the peace for six months ; or, in default, one month's imprisonment. BREACH OF BOROUGH BYE-LAWS. Thomas Greig was charged by Constable McGorman with neglecting to keep a light burning over the hoarding erected by him at the new Government Buildings. Two offences were proved, and defendant fined 5s and costs in each case. John B. Drake was also charged with breach of bye-laws by allowing a case to remain on the footpath in London street longer than necessary, and was also fined 5s and costs. Lars Jacobsen, for allowing a heap of firewood to remain an unnecessary time on the footpath, was also fined 5s and costs. BREACH OP PUBLIC HOUSE ORDINANCE. Stephen Baily was charged by Constable Wallace with neglecting to keep a light burning over his licensed house in London street. The offence was proved, and he was fined 5s and costs. CATTLE TRESPASS. William Pitcaithly was charged by Constable Emson with allowing a mare to wander in the public streets. Defendant did not appear, and was fined 10s and costs. assault. Harriett Oldfield charged Agnes Forrester with this offence. Mr H. N. Nalder for complainant. After hearing evidence, the Bench fined defendant 10s, costs ss, and solicitor's fee £1 Is. CIVIL CASES. Cousins v Cousins. This was an action to recover £l4 lis for rent of a house, cash lent, &c. Mr Nalder appeared for the plaintiff. After a lengthy hearing, judgment was given for defendant. Handley v Davis (captain of the John Knox).—This was an action to recover £3 balance of wages due. Defendant stated that £3 had been deducted from plaintiff's wages in consideration of an order given and signed by him to a boardinghouse keeper in Sydney, on account of plaintiff, the said order to be paid three days after the ship sailed from Sydney. Judgment for defendant. KAIAPOI. Tuesday, December 8. (Before J. Birch, Esq, aud E. G. Kerr, Esq, Mayor.) VIOLENT ASSAULT. Thomas Millwood was charged, on the information of Joseph Stanton, with having violently assaulted his wife on Sunday last. Elizabeth Millwood said accused was her husband, on Sunday he refused to have breakfast, and acted strangely. He began to upset things out of her box, when she interfered, aud he pushed her against it so as to hurt her side. Her brother, who laid the iuormation for her. then took her part. To the Bench—Would not say that her insband had not previously abused her. Accused wanted her to go to church, and she ■van ted to go to chapel. Had been to church >n the previous Supday and did not like it, ?he wished to go with her brother,

J. Stanton gave corroborative evidence of the assault, adding, he told accused if it had not been Sunday he would have dipped his head in a tub of water. On Monday Mrs Mill ;vood complained of a pain in her side, as if a rib was broken. Mr Tine' ing, chemist, was sent for, and subsequently Dr Dudley. Dr Dulley stated he had examined Mrs Millwood. She bad a plaster on her side, which he did not disturb, but from the description of her injuries concluded that a lower rib had been broken. She had a bad bruise on her knee, and appeared to be suffering from ill-treatment, In reply to the Bench, Mrs Millwood said her husband had been under the doctor's care for about four years past. The ship's surgeon told her that he was deranged. About sixteen or seventeen years ago he had his head split open with a sledge hammer. She did not .press the case. Accused, iu defence, stated he had only pushed her as any other man might do his his wife, but denied using undue violence. The Bench remarking that they had decided to give accused the benefit of the doubt as to whether any of his wife's bones were broken, would order him to be bound over to keep the peace for six months in two sureties of £25 eacb, and himself in the sum of £SO, or in default one' month's imprisonment.