MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 334, 8 July 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, July 8. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.] Using Threatening Language.— Thomas Wild was brought up on warrant charged with having used violent and threatening language towards his wife. Mrs Wild stated that her husband came home a few days ago and threatened to take her life. She had only received £2 for the maintenance of herself and children for the last two months. The accused said he was willing to allow his wife £1 5s per week. Evidence was given of the accused having pawned articles out of his house, including a sewing machine used by his wife, and tools belonging to himself, Hia Worship told Mrs Wild that she ought to have her husband placed in the Inebriate Asylum, as that was his only hope. In reply to his Worship, Mrs Wild said she was afraid of her husband. His Worship ordered accused to find two sureties in £lO each, and himself in £2O, to keep the peace for six months ; in default one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. Horses and Cattle at Large.— For permitting horses and cattle to wander the following persons were dealt with : —Robt McPherson, fined ss; George Baron, 5s ; Wm Ormandy, 5s ; Joseph Zem, 5s ; Peter Pasey, 5s ; Thos Haskett, ss; Hugh Bennetts, 5s ; Benjamin Bulmer, 5s ; Cornelius Connor, ss; H. A. Wilson, ss;'and J. McDonald, os. Creating a Disturbance.— Benjamin Sparks was summoned for creating a disturbance in Colombo street on the night of the 25th ult, by playing a concertina and cooeying. The arresting constable and Sergeant Gatwood gave evidence of the defendant having created a disturbance as stated. Defendant was neither drunk nor sober, and refused to give his name. Defendant admitted having played a concertina, but denied having “ shouted.” He did not think he was doing anthingy wrong. Fined 10?.

Breach of Hackney Carriage Byelaws. —James Reed, summoned for standing in front of the Theatre one hour and twenty minutes, the same not being a proclaimed stand. Defendant admitted the offence, but said that under the bye-law he was permitted to stand at that place, and ask for fares. Sergeant Pratt observed that Dr Foster had stated in Court that the holders of licenses under the bye-law were not allowed to stand in front of the Theatre before a quarter before ten o’clock for the convenience of visitors to the Theatre. Defendant was standing in front of the Criterion Hotel. His Worship having examined the bye-law, said he was not prepared to record a conviction, as under the bye-law any driver might wait for hire, provided that he was 50ft away from the main entrance to the theatre. There was no limit to time mentioned in the bye-law. The case would be dismissed.

Careless Driving.—Harry Goolgerwvs summoned for driving recklessly in High

street, and nearly running over Mr J. Wood. Defendant denied having driven carelessly. Pined 10s.

The Scale of Fares in Cads.— For driving cabs for hue without having a table of fares posted in their cab as required by the Hackney Carriage Bye laws, the. IVlowing persons were fined: —Thos Wheeler, 10 ■; John Hill. 10s; John Mdler, 10s.

Breach of Borough Stage Carriage Byb-LAW. —For acting as conductor without a license, charges against Alfred Williams, George Hayward, and John Falloon were dismissed with a caution. A similar charge against Alfred Downey was adjourned for a week.

Plying for Hire off Route. —James Kearney, summoned for plying for hire off his route, he only being licensed to travel from the Post-office to the railway station, was fined 10s.

Unregistered Dogs — For havingon their premises unregistered dogs Thos. Gutson (2), was fined 40s, and David Dunn, 20s. Breach op Police Ordinance,— Thos. Shailer, summoned for obstructing the road at the railway station, on the night of the 19th June; fined, 10s, and 5s expense of witness.

Fighting. —Joseph Hale and David Craw were charged with fighting in Mr H. E. Alport’s auction room, on the 26th June. Two witnesses stated that defendants were fighting on that day. Defendants denied having fought, and called- Mr Alport, who stated that the affair was a very trivial one, Hale merely took the other man by the beard. The case against Craw was dismissed, and Hale was fined 10s.

Driving without Reins. William Chapman, charged with this offence, was fined 10s.

Obstruciing a Thoroughfare,—W7 J. Falloon, summoned for obstructing a side road leading from the Ferry road with his dray, was fined 10s. Breach of Public House Ordinance. —J. Oram Sheppard was summoned for selling drink and keeping open his licensed house, the White Hart Hotel, during prohibited house. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. Charles Fox deposed to being in the hotel on Sunday, 20th June, about halfpast ten o’clock in the morning, with man named Goodacre. He and the other man had a drink, for which he paid half a crown. He forgot his change, aid when he went back for it the barman would not give it to him. He then went and laid an information. In cross-examination the witness stated that he lived in Christchurch. He went in by the side door, and did not tell the barman he was a traveller before he got the drink. Ho had five half crowns and a threepeny piece when he went into the hotel, and had only four halfcrowns with the small coin when he came out. He laid the information about a quarter of hour afterwards. Mr Thomas called the barman, who stated that when complainant went into the house that morning he told him he was a traveller. He gave him Is 6d change out of half a crown, and when he returned and said he had not received his change, he took out four halfcrowns and Is fid in silver. When the complainant had the drink he said he had only five halfcrowns in his pocket. Mr Thomas asked permission to lay an information at once against the complainant for compelling defendant to infringe the Ordinance. His Worship consented to this course, and said he would, however, fine on each charge. Fined £lO. No Lamp Alight. —W. R. Smith, summoned for neglecting to keep a light burning over his licensed house, the Crown Hotel, was fined 10s. Breach of Sheep Ordinance J Stewart, summoned for driving. 500 sheep across the Broadlands run on the 26th June without giving the necessary notice as required by the Act. The offence was proved by two witnesses. Fined £lO 15s and 20s expense of witness. Assaults.— O. B. Malthus was summoned for assaulting Geo. White on two occasions on same date. Mr O’Neil appeared for defendant. The misunderstanding had originated about a fence, complainant stating that on the first occasion defendant kicked him outside the Selwyn Hotel. The second assault had been committed with a whip on the main road. The evidence of witnesses showed that defendant jostled the complainant on the first occasion, and followed him on the second, threatening to give him a “ lambasting ” if it cost him £5. His Worship said that no doubt an assault had been committed, defendant would be fined 40s in each case, and cost of witnesses. A third charge of assault on the 22nd of June was laid by the same complainant against defendant. The complainant stated that on that day defendant overtook him on the Selwyn road riding against him, breaking his bridle, and overturning the saddle. He partly fell off, and had to walk home. Mr O’Neil, when addressing the Bench, denied the last assault in toto. His Worship said that evidently an ill-feeling existed between the parties, and he could not help thinking that Mr Malthus had acted wrongly. He would inflict a fine of 40s, 7s fid damage done to the bridle, and expense of one witness. [Left sitting.]