MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 170, 22 December 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHEISTCHURCH. Tuesday, December 22. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq, R.M.] DRUNK AND INDECENT EXPOSURE. ■ John P. Meehan, a 'rested for this offence, was fined 40s or ninety-six hours. LYTTELTON. Monday, December 21. (Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and J. T. Rouse, Esq., J.P.) WILFUL DISOBEDIENCE OP LAWFUL COMMANDS. Frederick Fisher, an able seamau belonging to the ship E. P. Bouverie, was brought up on remand charged by Captain Roberts with this offence. Mr Nalder appeared for Captain Roberts. The Bench said as the accused bad be. n locked up for a week he would be sent on boards LARCENY. Thomas H. Belby and Samuel Shepherd were brought up charged by Sergeant-major O'Grady with stealing four bottles of brandy and one bottle of wine from the lighter Faithful, they being employed by Captain M'Clatchie, the owner of the lighter. Mr N alder appeared for the accused. The evidence of Sergeant-major O'Grady and Thomas M'Clatcuie was taken, and the accused on the application of Sergeant-major O'Grady, remanded until Thursday next. KAIAPOI. Monday, December 21. (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M., and F. H. M. Walker, Esq.^) CATTLE TRESPASS.

On police informations, W. Dudson, owner of a mare and foal, W. G-. Chainey, nine head cattle, and N. George, for allowing six head of cattle to wander at large, were each fined 5s and costs, 6s 6d.

Mary Dale was charged with allowing a bull at large on December 14th.

Mr O'Neil appeared for the accused. . A. T. Clark, Mrs Davidson, and Elizabeth Packwood, gave evidence of seeing a bull at large.

The Eesident Magistrate, giving accused the benefit of the doubt as to the identity of the animal, aud the probability that the land on which it was at large was in her occupation, dismissed the charge, cautioning her not to let it roam on unfenced land. ASSAULT. Arthur Campbell, farmer, Church Bush, was charged with having violently assaulted and beaten his wife on December 16th. Margaret Campbell said on the day named hef husband had been drinking. Her son came home, and she was over-joyed, the drink going round faster. Her husband and son then rode off to Rangiora. She had to milk the cows and do a lot of work, so she took about three-parts of a glass of whisky. Her son came home first, then the accused. The latter called her everything out of her name, giving other abuse; gave her two black eyes, and kicked her on the leg. Had wauted to leave him; but after she had wrought and helped him to get what he had, she was not willing to take only 10s a week. Alexander Campbell, the son, stated accused had promised to give him £IOOO to take his mother away, and he was agreeable. They went to Rangiora, and there had some words, On returning accused began to fight

with a man named Thompson, when witness interposed, and subsequently accused assaulted complainant as already explained. She was sober. Accused's excuse was that the lot of them at home were drunk, and he tried to put them out. The Bench considered the assault a brutal one on the woman who had helped to earn money for accused; and if she made up her mind to separate and apply for an order to protect her earnings it would receive consideration. Accused would be fined £5, ordered to pay costs of the Court and witness 12s 6d, and bound over in the sum of £25 to keep the peace towards his wife for three months. HOBSE STEALING. Henry Keetley, on bail, was charged with having on April 7th, stolen a horse, the property of Walpole Cheshyre Fendall of Leithfield. Prosecutor, a stockowner, stated in April last he lost two horses, one a dark bay fifteen or sixteen hands with narrow white streak down face, thin tail and mane, white spot on wither, but no brand. Reported the loss to the police at Leithfield. Had seen horse outside the Court which was his property. In July last offered a reward of £1 for recovery of the animal by advertisement, three insertions in the Lijttelton Times. Did not sell the horse or authorise anyone to take it. Had the horse on his farm four years. Never knew it to stray except'once; it was sent to Saltwater Creek, and escaping from the paddock, strayed for three weeks in the direction of home. He purchased it when eight years old, from W. A. Crooke. Wrote to Crooke about the loss, and, with him, on Saturday last, found the animal tethered near accused's house. He asked accused where he got it. Accused replied. " he found it on the plains, near Capt Row's, and thought it belonged to D. Thow, of Christchurch, but as it was not Thow's, had kept and used it." Witness told him he had advertised it as lost. Accused said he had not seen the advertisement. Witness also posted up written notices of his loss in Leithfield and different public houses, and notice to the Raugiora poundkeeper. Its value was £25. It was eleven years old. Did not know the accused. He gave up the horse without demur. Its shoulders were eollar marked.

Henry Fendall, son of last witness, gave corroborative evidence. The horse was not used to harness. The horse had strayed from the river bed, which was a portion of the run.

W". A. Crooke, horse-dealer, Christchurch, said on Wednesday last he saw accused with the horse near the Girder bridge. He asked how long he had the horse. Accused said since witness had been away. Witness had been from Kaiapoi two years. Accused did not lead him to suppose the horse was his own:

Mounted constable Beck said he had instructions to look out for suitable horses for ihe police service. He saw the horse referred to now outside the Court at accused's plnce, and asked him if he would sell it. Accused said " he would not, as he might not get another to suit him so well." He told witness it was two years'since he bought or got the horse. He arrested accused on Saturday. When cautioned, he said he took the horse from the run, thinking it was one advertised as lost by David Thow. Witness questioned him about its having been in harness; accused admitted having put it into harness. Thow is a horsedealer, but at present in Wellington. Accused, who wished for an adjournment to get a witness to state when he got the horse, was committed for trial. Bail was accepted, viz, two sureties of £IOO each. 3LA.UGHTER HOUSE ORDINANCE. A license was granted to W. Pearson, Flaxton. PUBLICANS' LICENSES. Extensions of licenses were granted to J. Lewton, Junction Hotel, Ohoka, on the occasion of sports, and J. Conway, White Crane Hotel, Woodend, on the occasion of sports. CIVIL CASES. W. Smith v T. Foulkes, further adjourned on certificate from Dr Ovenden, that defendant could not attend. M. Dale v W. Ellis, olaim, £l9 2s, set-off £5 45.. Mr O'Niell for plaintiff. Judgment for plaintiff for £l7 2s and costs.