MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 340, 15 July 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH,

Thursday, July 15. [Before G. L. Mcllish, Esq., R.M.] Affiliation. —J. C. Frew was charged on warrant with failing to provide for two illegitimate children. Sergeant Kennedy stated he arrested accused the previous day in the Clarendon Hotel. Inspector Buckley asked for a remand to Hokitika. Remanded to Hokitika to be brought up there on the 22nd. His Worship said he would grant bail in two sureties of £3O each, or one substantial person in f (10. Drunkenness and Exposure.— John MTvoy, charged with this offence, was fined 10s.

Drunk and Resisting the Police.— Robert Kempton, charged with being drunk in the Theatre and resisting the police, was fined 20s.

Stock at Large. —The following persons were dealt with for allowing horses, cattle, &c., to wander;—Robert Kemp, lined ss; J. Robertson, ss; J. T. Gorle, ss; W. Findlay, ss; W. Sheate, ss; W. McLelland, ss; James Tait, os; T. Dixon, ss; James Ashworth, ss;

John Dolan, ss; W. A. Crook, ss; Joseph Wade, ss; S. Fleming, ss; Jacob Barnett, ss; W. Neighbors, ss; James Kimber, ss; R. G. Crockei', ss: S. Nutt (30 sheep), ss; Hugh Leatham, ss.

Bull at Large.— J. A. Graham was charged with allowing a bull to be at large. Mr Joynt appeared for defendant. Phillip Ball deposed to seeing a bull belonging to Graham at large on the 2nd and 3rd July at Sumner. As the information gave the 29th of June as the date on which the animal had been allowed to wander, his Worship dismissed the case, and allowed the expenses of two ■witnesses. Mr Joynt here referred to an unfortunate feeling which existed between these parties, who are neighbours at Sumner.

Breach of City Bye-Laws. —Michael Gerxhewsky, summoned for leading a cow on the footpath, was fined 10s; Robert M'Rabe, charged with driving two pigs through the streets during prohibited hours, was fined 10s. William Chapman, summoned for driving three horses without sufficient reins, was fined 10s. For wheeling a barrow on the footpath Joseph Sherries was fined 10s. Breach of Hackney Carriage ByeLaw. —James Dermott, charged with being absent from his cab, was fined 10s. J. H, Evans and Arthur Gordon, summoned for having no table of fares posted in their cabs, were each fined 10s. Borough Stage Carriage Bye-Law.— On the application of Inspector Buckley, the adjourned information against Alfred Downing for conducting without a license, was withdrawn.

Unregistered Dogs.— For having unregistered dogs in their following, G. W. Ell was fined 20a ; John Carlton (two dogs), 40s ; and B. Callaghan, 20s.

Breach op Railway Offences Act.— Jules Seelies, charged with driving across the railway line at a place known as Duke’s crossing, was fined 10s.

Failing to Pa-y for Support of Children. —A case against Anthony| Ferrick, summoned for failing to contribute towards the support of his children in the Industrial School was, on the application of Mr R. A. Colee, adjourned until the 29th inst. Assaults-- George Dalton was charged with assaulting his wife, Ann Dalton. The complainant stated that her husband struck her on the 26th June. He was in the habit of drinking, and had assaulted her several times. Inspector Feast told the Bench that he had known the parties for years ; they both were given to drinking. Case adjourned for a week to allow of enquiries to be made. Sarah Doig was charged with assaulting Ella Lilly on the Bth inst. These parties are neighbours, and had a difference about a dog, which resulted in the assault complained of. There had also been various disagreements about ducks and fowls. His Worship considered the assault a very trumpery one, and dismissed the case, administering a caution to both parties.

Abusive Language. —Susan Collins was charged with using abusive and insulting language towards R. Hopkins on the 7th July. The offence was proved on the evidence of two witnesses. Mr Hopkins said he did not wish to press the charge. Case dismissed, defendant receiving a caution and advice from his Worship.

Obtainino Goods by False Pretences. —John Williams alias John Anderson and Richard Madigan were charged on remand with obtaining by false pretences 1200 sacks valued at £62 10s from Charles Kiver. Mr Joynt appeared for the accused. J, D. Cranston stated he was storeman to Mr Chas. Kiver, junr, in Lichfield street. Remembered seeing the prisoner Williams in the store first on the 6th July. Had a conversation with him that day about sacks and grain. He said his name was John Anderson, that he lived on the Ashburton, and had some grain which he thought he could store with Mr Kiver, about a 1000 sacks, and asked the charge for storage, and what would be charged for selling them on commission. Gave him the information, and when he asked prisoner where his place was he said it was not from Mr Griggs. He said he supposed they had sacks in the store. Told him we had, and asked him whether he wanted to buy sacks, or the loan of them. He said it did not matter which. He had some things to get, and would be back in an hour. He returned again in the afternoon, and said he would have the sacks sent up next morning. He came to the store next day, and brought a sample of wheat, and said he would rather have the loan of the sacks than buy them. He asked what would be charged for the loan of them. Took him over then to Mr Kiver’s office. He afterwards got four bales containing 1200 sacks. The bales were branded RP in diamond. Made out the consignment note produced; It was made out for Ashburton. The crosses marked on the note were placed on it on the days the prisoner took the bales away, He wished the alteration made, as he said he had bought some coal at Lyttelton, and was going to send them down there when the coals and bales might be sent to Ashburton in one truck. Saw the four bales that morning in the import shed at the railway station, which he had delivered to the prisoner. The prisoner put his mark on the receipt produced, when he took the bales away, as he said he could not write. By Mr Joynt—The prisoner and he (witness) went to Mr Kivers’s office together. There it was arranged that the prisoner was to have the sacks for three months, at a cost of 10 per cent on their value, which was fixed at 12s 6d per dozen. There was an arrangement made for storage. Jt was to be lOd per bag for three mouths. The prisoner said they might sell the grain for him if they could at 3s 6d per bushel. Prisoner said the grain was all wheat. The prisoner got 1200 sacks. When prisoner came the third time he said he had about 1000 sacks wheat, but had purchased some more wheat from a neighbour, which he would have to thrash out himself. This would take 1200 sacks., Charles Kiver, jun, corroborated the previous evidence, and stated that the prisoner Williams told him on Wednesday, when he called at the office, that he had 1000 bags of wdieat on his farm-at the Ashburton, which he would leave in his hands for sale. He gave his name as John Anderson. After the arrangements had been decided about the price on which the sacks were to be lent to the prisoner, he asked him whether he would send the bales to the railway station that day. The prisoner said not, as he had purchased two valuable draught mares fiom Mr Dowling, which had arrived by the Southern Cross. Four bales of sacks, containing 1200 were delivered to the prisoner. What induced him (witness) to deliver the sacks was with a view of securing the storage of the grain and its ultimate sale; and also on his representation that he had a large farm at the Ashburton, At the time ho the whole of the prisoner’s story,

Would not have delivered the bags if he had thought the prisoner was going to send them out of the country. There was also some twine delivered to the prisoner of the value of 15s. feaw the four bales and twine the same evening at the Christchurch Railway Station. That would be on the 8 th. By Mr Joynt—The prisoner was to have the use of the sacks for three months at the price named, 10 per cent on their value. Re-examined by Inspector Feast—The grain was to come down to the store at once, and be held for three months. It was to be delivered to his (witness) order at the Christchurch station. Michael Howard, storeman at the export shed, Christchurch Railway Station, remembered seeing the prisoner Williamson the Bth July, at the shed. The prisoner delivered four bales cornsacks and a package of twine. Prisoner handed him the consignment note produced. Before the bales were delivered prisoner inquired when they could be sent on to Lyttelton, and he replied that if they came before 4 o’clock they would go down by the 4.15 train. The bales did not go that night. Next morning the prisoner came down to the shed, and said “ you haven’t sent those bales yet,” The witness said he would send them on by the 10.20 train, and he did so. Lavington Hart, shipping clerk to Cuff and Graham, in Lyttelton ; remembered seeing the prisoner at the office on Saturday, 10th iost. Prisoner asked if he could ship four bales of sacks |by the Easby, Told him he (witness) thought he would be too late to ship them, as the lighter had gone off; but if he could get a boat he could ship them. Prisoner returned afterwards, and said it was all right, that he was going to ship them. They were passed through the]office for shipment to Newcastle, N.S.W. Prisoner paid £2 freight on two tons. Gave prisoner the receipt produced. Thomas Smith, clerk to Cuff and Graham, saw the prisoner Williams at the office on the 10th inst. He went with the prisoner and engaged a boat to take off four bales of sacks to the Easby. Evidence was given by John Walsh of the prisoner Williams having engaged his boat to take four bales of sacks off to the Easby. He took off two bales to the steamer. He came back for the other two, but the police prevented him taking them. The prisoner Williams paid him for taking off the two bales. Detective Kirby stated that he went in the 10.20 goods train to Lyttelton on Friday morning last. He saw four bales of sacks in the train, and watched them to Lyttelton, and there throughout the day. Saw both prisoners in in Lyttelton that day. They were about the streets together. Followed them to Christchurch that night. Went again to Lyttelton next day, and saw the prisoners arrive by the 10.30 train. Saw them together that morning in conversation near the Harbour office about half-past eleven. Saw four bales of cornsacks brought from the railway shed to the screw pile jetty. They were the same bales he had followed down the day before. Saw two of the bales put into a boat and taken on to the s.s. Easby. Spoke to the prisoner Williams, charged him with obtaining four bales of sacks from Charles Kiver, of Christchurch, by false pretences. He said he did receive them, and ;had shipped them for Newcastle. Asked him who the shipping agents were, and he pointed to Cuff and Graham’s offices. He said his name was John Williams. Detective McGorman gave evidence of seeing both prisoners at Lyttelton on Friday and Saturday, and seeing the four bales of sacks removed from the railway shed to the screw pile jetty. He had previous to this seen Williams talking to Walsh the boatman. When the two bales where shipped in the boat, he followed them to the Easby, The prisoner Madigan went on-board in another boat, taking some luggage with him from the railway station. He took possession of the two bales of sacks on board the steamer. The prisoner Madigan told him that one of the carpet bags belonging to his mate. The prisoner Williams claimed the bag; Afterwards charged the prisoner Madigan of having with another obtained the bales of sacks by false pretences from C. Kiver, Christchurch. Madigan said in reply to a question, that he and the prisoner Williams came in the coach together from Oamaru. Williams afterwards said he became acquainted with Madigan in Christchurch. Inspector Feast gave evidence of having seen the prisoners together on Friday morning last at the Christchurch railway station. The men went to Lyttelton in the same carriage together. He watched them together at Lyttelton all that day; sometimes one would go into an office and sometimes the other. After he (witness) had seen the four bales secured for the night at the railway station he followed them to town. Watched them that night. They were together in several public-houses and at the theatre. Next day when the prisoners were brought to his office on a warrant, Williams said his name was not John Anderson ; that he had never lived at Ashburton, and only came through there. Madigan said that he became acquainted with Williams in Oamaru, and had come from there in the coach with him. Had made enquiries.of several persons resident at the Ashburton, and no person named Williams or Anderson had a farm in the district, nor any person of such a name had grain there. Mr Joynt submitted there was no evidence against Madigan to connect him with the offence, beyond their having been seen together after the bales had been obtained, there was nothing further against him. He had not in any way been seen in the transaction, and it would be a pity to convict a young man whose only crime was knowing the other man, who was, he (Madigan) understood, going to Sydney, and they were only proceeding there together as fellow-passengers. His Worship dismissed the charge against Madigan, hoping it would be a warning to him about the class of company he kept for the future. - The prisoner Williams was committed for trial.