MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 253, 3 April 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, April 3. [Before H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Esq., and Dr Back, J.P.’s] VAGRANCY. Charles Evans was charged with vagrancy. It appeared from the evidence that the defendant was in the habit of loafing about public-house bars drinking; he had no visible means of subsistence; only a short time since defendant went into Burmeister’s fish shop and a gentleman gave him a feed to get rid of him. He was drunk yesterday, in fact he was continually drunk, and was often ejected from bars. Defendant said that he had been working and when he came into town he had £4O. He never spent any money but his own, although he was given to drink. The Bench sentenced defendant to three months imprisonment with hard labor. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. George Stevens was charged with drunkenness. Inspector Buckley said that the defendant was a very hard working man but unfortunately whenever he came into town he got f drunk and was locked up. The Bench sentenced defendant to one month’s hard labor. WIFE DESERTION. Henry Lee, who had been remanded from Timaru was charged with deserting his wife Eliza Lee and four children without any means of support. It appeared that defendant left his wife and family a fortnight ago without means of subsistence. The defendant said that he was taken whilst at his work, and he was going to send his wife some money this week. Mrs Lee said that if defendant would allow her a weekly sum and keep away from her she would do the rest. Defendant said that he was quite willing to allow her £l. The Bench made an order to pay £1 per week. BIGAMY. Eliza Ann Ward was charged with having on the 20th April, 1868, married with James Flynn, her former husband, Benjamin Ward, being then alive. Mr O’Neill appeared for defendant. A witness named Wadworth stated that he was present at the marriage of the defendant with Benjamin Ward on the 24th May, 1861, at the Registrar’s office, Christchurch, the ceremony being performed by Dr Barker, who was then Registrar. Benjamin Ward, now in Court, was the man to whom defendant was then married. Inspector Buckley put in a certified copy of the register of marriage from the Regis-trar-General, Wellington; also, a certificate of the death of Dr Barker. Examination of witness continued—The marriage with Ward took place in 1861; but he could not be positive as to to the month. Thought it was in June or July, Defendant was married in the name of Eliza Ann Wooding. Defendant lived with Ward for two or three years to witness’s knowledge. Cross-examined —Defendant is my wife’s sister. James Flynn deposed that he resided at the Rakaia; was married to defendant in April, 1868 or 1869 in Christchurch by the Rev C. Fraser in his house. A man named McGregor, another man named Irving, and Mrs McGregor were present. Knew prisoner as Mrs Eliza Ward, a widow, it being reported that husband w»b dead,

Inspector Buckley put in the usual legal proofs of this marriage. Cross-examined —At the time I married defendant I did not know whether her husband was dead or not. Did not know whe ther she ever had a husband or not. Do not recollect whether she told me that her husband was dead. I cannot swear that she did not tell me so. I lived with defendant as her husband two or three years perhaps, more or less. By the Bench—l do not recollect whether she was described in the register as a spinster or not. I believed that she had been married, but I thought her husband was dead. It was only hearsay. After we were married I heard that her husband was still alive. I never left her; she left me. Mr O’Neill—On account of your cruelty? Witness —I do not think so. Mrs Celia M‘Gregor, wife to John M‘Gregor, accountant, at Timaru, deposed that she was present at the marriage of defendant with James Flynn by the Rev C. Fraser, at his residence in Christchurch, about five or six years ago. Knew defendant as Mrs Ward before she was married to Flynn. Cross-examined—l had heard defendant’s husband was dead. Mrs Annie Cox, wife of William Cox, of Templeton, deposed that she knew defendant and Benjamin Ward for twelve years. They were living as man and wife when first witness knew them. The last time witness knew them to be living together was in 1866, at a house in the Sandhills, Ferry road ; they left for Wellington in 1866 ; next saw prisoner on the Racecourse, Canterbury in 1867. Defendant said she was not going to return to Wellington ; she gave no reason for not doing so. Detective Walker stationed at Timaru deposed that he arrested defendant on warrant at Geraldine on the Ist instant ; told her the charge and cautioned her ; she said —“ This is Tom Wadsworth’s doings ; I may thank him for this. I was married to Flynn, perhaps I had better bring the certificate down with me.” The prisoner, under the advice of her counsel, reserved her defence, and was fully committed for trial. Mr O’Neill applied that defendant be admitted to bail. The Bench said they would admit her to bail, herself in £2OO, and two sureties in £IOO each. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. Jas. G. Burgess, landlord of the Castle HUI Hotel, pleaded guilty to keeping his house open and selling liquor during Sunday, 28th February last. He said that he was away from home at the time. The Bench fined defendant £5 and costs, cautioning the defendant not to have many more of these cases against him, or he would get his license cancelled.