MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 193, 21 January 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, January 21. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) fighting in the streets. Thomas Hendley and William Murphy, arrested for fighting the previous night in Colombo street, were each fined 10s. DRUNK AND USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Patrick Kennedy, who has been several times'before the Court Jately, was charged with being drunk and using obscene language in Gloucester street, and fined 20s; John O'Brien, arrested for a similar offence, was discharged with a caution. DRUNK AND ILLEGALLY ON PREMISES. George Morris, arrested that morning in an outhouse belonging to Mr Rossiter, Whately-road, was fined 10s. Mary Cunningham, found at three o'clock in the morning lying in a yard off Kilmore street, was fined 10s. BREACH OF CITY BYE-LAWS. For permitting horses and cattle to wander the following summonses were heard—H Jackson, fined ss; Thos. Bruce, ss; George Chisnall, ss; James Goss, ss; J. Firth (two cows), 5s each case. NEGLIGENT DRIVING. John Collins was summoned for negligently driving his horse and trap on the 9th January in Cashel street, by which means he came into collision with a horse and cab passing, doing both injury. A second charge of being drunk on that occasion was preferred against the defendant. Samuel Thomas, cab driver, said that on that day the defendant drove furiously out of Mr Montgomery's yard, and drove his shaft against his (witness's), breaking his harness and injuring his cab and horse. , The charge of drunkenness was dismissed, and a fine of 10s inflicted for negligent driving, the expense of one witness to be also paid. For not having his horse and vehicle under sufficient control, and allowing it to run away, R. Sunderland was fined 10s. DRUNK AND USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE. John Gaynour was charged with using obscene language in Colombo street, with negligently driving a dray and team of bullocks, and with being drunk, the three offences occurring on the 6th January. Mr Slater appeared for the defendant. The evidence of several witnesses showed that defendant was driving his team on the wrong side of the road that day, and came into contact with a phaeton containing ladies and children. When remonstrated with, he used filthy language. Defendant was also stated by them to have been drunk at the time. Mr Slater called evidence to show that defendant did-all he could to "gee" his bullocks, but they would not face the stones. When his wheel struck the phaeton, he expressed regret for the accident; but said the trap was on the wrong side of the road. He did not use bad language, and was not drunk, but had only had a glass or two. The charge of drunkenness was dismissed. For negligent driving defendant was fined 10s, and he was also fined 10s for using bad language, with expense of witnesses. FIGHTING IN A PUBLIC PLACE. Jeannette Beattie and Julia Crawley were summoned for creating a disturbance by fighting in a right-of-way off Tuam street. A charge of drunkenness was also preferred against defendants. The charges were not proved and the cases were dismissed. Robert Beattie, for allowing his horse to wander was fined ss, and Richard Offwood was mulcted in a similar amount.

For tethering his horse in a public thoroughfare, Richard Offwood was fined 10s. BREACH OF STAMP ACT. Hugh Hepburn was summoned for contravening the Stamp Act by signing two receipts over £2, without affixing a stamp in accordance with the Act. The defendant admitted the offences but said he had signed the receipts in ignorance. Fined 20s in each case. NEGLECTING TO MAINTAIN HIS SON. John Hobbs was summoned for neglecting to maintain his son. The complainant, who from the manner he gave his evidence evidently required looking after, stated that his father had threatened to cut his throat if he did not clear out of his house. He was unable to support himself as he was subject to fits. Mrs Toombs, half-sister to complainant, said he (complainant) had been turned out by his father, who resides at the Hororata, three times. Her brother was subj ect to fits, and the doctor told her that it was unsafe to allow him to be by himself for a moment. The boy's father kept a store at the Hororata and at the White Cliffs. She had paid his fare to his father's place, and he had sent him back again, and- made him walk from Rolleston station to town. His Worship made an order for complainant's father to pay 15s per week for the boy's support, and said, he would take care that the payment did not fall into arrears. ASSAULTS. Sarah Battcock was summoned for violently beating Emma Whittaker on the 30th December. Complainant stated that defendant came to Alington House and inquired for her husband. She (complainant) said he was not at home, and Mrs Battcock persisted in going in, and when she would not allow her to do so she used most disgusting language. Fined 40s and costs. Edwin Best was charged with violently beating J. W. Sycamore on the 9th January. Complainant did not appear, and the case was dismissed with costs. John West was summoned for assaulting his wife Maria West on the 14th January. Mrs West stated that during the last seven wee s she had received £2 10s from her husband, and when he knew she had a shilling ie has stood over herewith a tomahawk until sue gave it up. On Thursday last he returned home the worse for drink, and when she asked him where he had been he struck her. She put on her bonnet and went out, and he followed her and struck her again. He had struck her repeatedly, and had only really been sober for nine weeks from last November twelvemonth. Her husband was an excellent tradesman, and could earn from £3 to £3 10s every week. She had one child, and was unable to altogether support herself. When her husband was a Good Templar he was a very excellent husband. Defendant said his wife had-a very irritable temper, and she often drove him to commit excess. His Worship said he believed there were faults on both sides. He would adjourn the case until the 2Sth to enable defendant to keep his promise of re-joining the Hope of Christchurch lodge. Clara Clark against Samuel Clark, for assault ■'./as adjourned for a week. lUcliard Clark was summoned for assaulting his wife, Amy Clark, on the IBth January. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. The complainant stated that on that day her husband had been out drinking and returned home, and because she had moved a box he threw her down and struck her violently. She bore the marks of his violence. She had been married to him for 36 years, and about two yeais ago he had beaten her so that she was compelled to leave him them. By Mr Thomas—l don't take more drink than what I require. I certainly had two sixpennyworths of old torn yesterday, but what's that? I do take my beer at dinner every day, but I don't often try old torn. I have tried my best to punch him, and wish to pity I was strong enough to do so. I'd do it with all my heart. I did take up half a brick but didn't throw it. I didn't batter him with a 71b weight. I have said I would try and poison him if wasn't afraid of my throat. I "have" a little temper of my own. Mr Thomas addressing the Bench said that if his client had struck the complainant it was under very great aggravation. He would consent to a separation on any equitable terms. Defendant consented to allow his wife 15s a week, and his Worship made an order for that amount. The case of assualt was dismissed. USING THREATENING LANGUAGE. The case against Anne Osborne for using abusive language, was dismissed. SLAUGHTER-HOUSE LICENSES. The following applications for slaughterhouse licenses were considered : Frederick Bull, section 8983, Malvern. Adjourned'ti?l2Bth. T; Dixon, section 221, Hoon Hay road. Granted. John Gilmour, section 1144, Sandhills. Granted. J. E. Hanson, section 1858, Spreydon. Granted. F. and C. E. Marchant, section 2852, Shand's track. Granted. Simon Mcßae, section 8869, Kowai Pass. Adjourned till 28th. New Zealand Provision Company, section 3194, Avon district. Granted. Alexander Reid, farm, Russell's Flat, Malvern. Adjourned till 28th inst. Harry Stace, section 8035, Springston. Granted. R. Westenra, Camla station, Selwyn. Adjourned till 28th inst. James section 313, Avon district. Mr Thomas appeared to support the application, and Mr George Harper to oppose on behalf of the Papanui school committee. Mr Thomas handed in a sketch plan showing that there was a private road leading to the slaughterhouse, which was altogether away from the schoolhouse. Mr George Harper, who gave evidence said that the school committee objected to this slaughter yard, as it was only thirty chains in a N.E. direction away from the schoolhouse. Even if the committee had not objected, the inhabitants of Papanui intended to, on the ground of health to the children and district. He was quite satisfied the other road would not be used. By Mr Thomas—lf the yard was kept perfectly clean, it might not be detrimental to the health of the children; but prima facie a slaughterhouse was never what could be called clean. Mr Tyson also objected to Ihe slaughteryard being permitted, there, as it was only six chains from his house.

The applicant, called by Mr Thomas, said that he would only use the road past the school for his cart. There was a stream of running water there, and he would undertake to keep the place thoroughly clean. His Worship said he was always very much averse to grant licenses where there was the slightest opposition, and more particularly so where a school existed in the immediate neighborhood. He thought the time had come when the question of public abattoirs might be taken into consideration, and he thought it was a fair subject for the City Council to take in hand. Mr Harper would ask his Worship to adjourn the case, so that the sense of the inhabitants might be taken on this application. Adjourned for a week for further evidence.