MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 251, 1 April 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, April 1. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Edward Goodacre was fined 20s for drunkenness. LARCENY. Ellen Maloney was charged with stealing a piece of alpaca. Detective Benjamin deposed that yesterday he searched the prisoner's b axes in her lodgings at Waltham, and found the piece of stuff produced. Prisoner said that she bought the stuff from Mr Black the draper. The prisoner on being taken into custody, said she hoped she was not to be charged with stealing it. Emily Vartha, a dressmaker in Madras street, deposed to receiving a piece of alpaca from Mrs Fox of the Prince of Wales Hotel. Prisoner called on witness and went into the room where the alpaca was; the next day witness missed the alpaca, and the day following she spoke to prisoner about it. Witness identified the piece of alpaca produced as the piece she had missed. Mrs Hannah Fox examined by ChiefDetective Feast deposed that she gave a piece of alpaca, about nineteen yards, to the last witness to make into a dress. Witness identified the piece of alpaca produced as her property ; it was worth £1 10s. The prisoner, in her defence, said that she bought the dress from Mr Black three months since. A witness named Barr was called, and said he had seen the prisoner several times in Mr Black's shop, but did not know whether she bought any alpaca like that prodxiced. Mr Black had goods similar to it. There had been several changes in Mr Black's employes during the last three months. His Worship convicted the prisoner, and sentenced her to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. HORSES AND CATTLE AT LARGE. The following persons were fined for this offence:—J. Garland, ss; W. A. Crook. ss; P. Taylor, ss; John Foster, ss; A. Haxworth ss; E. Berry, ss; H. Lummins, ss; J. Dolan, ss; A. M'Taggart, 10s (two cases); H. Isaacs, ss; D. M'Guinness, case dismissed as the tether-rope had been cut; A. Wright, ss; B- Treganz, 5s ; James Martin, ss; H. Priest, 10s. OBSTRUCTING THOROU G HFARE. B. Button was charged with obstructing Colombo street by allowing two ladders to remain thereon without the authority of the City Council. Defendant said that he had applied to the city surveyor, and obtained permission. Case dismissed. Henry Letherby was charged. with obstructing High street by placing a cutler's cart thereon. j Defendant was engaged in grinding scissors and knives. He had authority from the City Council to remain for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour at a time. Defendant said that he shifted his place every fifteen minutes, although he was in the neighbourhood above an hour. The case was postponed for a week for further inquiry. j

J. H. Parkyn was charged with obstructColombo street by allowing an apple-cart to remain thereon. The boy's uncle, who was in Court, said that the boy's father was ill up the country. The case was dismissed. A. Smith was fined 10s for obstructing High street by allowing his omnibus to remain there. NEGLECTING TO KEEP A LIGHT BURNING. Joseph Wood was fined 30s (three cases) for neglecting to keep a light burning on a hoarding near Bank of New Zealand. CATTLE AT LARGE. The following persons were fined:—A. J. Hoskins, ss; R. Ball; ss; W. Barringer, ss; J. Tenbey, ss. UNREGISTERED DOGS. Thomas Hare was fined 20s for an unregistered dog; Thomas Johns was fined 20s for a similar offence; Robert McPherson was fined 20s ; M. Clements fined (two dogs), 40s; W. Freeman 20s; T. Ridley fined 20s; J. Allen fined 20s; H. Garland fined 20s; W. Kirkwood fined 20s. FIGHTING. John Morris and Patrick M'Guire were charged with fighting at Avonside. M'Guire did not appear. Mr Walker deposed that he saw defendant fighting with M'Guire, who probably had challenged the defendant. His Worship adjourned the case for further inquiry. VIOLENT ASSAULT. Joseph Rich was charged with assaulting his wife. The case was ordered to stand over for a week for an amicable settlement. OBSTRUCTING RAILWAY STATION. Michael Hamilton was charged with causing an obstruction at the railway station with his licensed cab. It appeared from the evidence of a constable that defendant drove up to the traffic manager's office and remained there. A gentleman came out, and defendant spoke to him, saying, " I may as well drive you up town." The gentleman said that he did not hail defendant. ■ Defendant said he was engaged by the Good Templars to drive Mr' Hastings and Mr Hardinge, of .Napier, and seeing Mr Hardinge he drove lip to him. A 'witness was called' who said that Mr Hardinge said that he'did not call the cab ; Mr Hardinge did not say that he did not order the cab. His Worship dismissed the case. OBSTRUCTING, THE STREETS. John Tetley was charged with obstructing High street. :;:■:, It appeared that on. Saturday night defendant {Was in the habit of holding a kind of auction at his stall, and collecting' a crowd. The defendant said he was trying to make an honest living and did not know that he was breaking the J.aw.s:; • Sergeant Wilson said that, he had warned defendant not to continue the practice. His Worship fined the, defendant 10s. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. W. F. Warner : pleaded guilty to two charges of keeping open his licensed house on 14th March" contrary to provisions of Licensing Act. The Bench fined defendant £5 for each offence. r.., ~,,,-• . . . CONTEMPT OF COURT. John H. Hart charged with assault, but who appeared in Court. under the influence of liquor, was committed for contempt for twenty-four hours.- • DISOBEYING AN ORDER OF THE COURT. John Hobbs was charged with disobeying an order of the Court to contribute towards the maintenance of his son. His Worship said that £6 at 15s a week was due, and was ordered to be paid forthwith. ',.,.' ' ,; . ASSAULT. Catherine Jordon was charged with having on 25th March assaulted Ellen Davis. This was a neighbours' quarrel respecting the children. . • , His Worship fined defendant 5s and costs.