MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 424, 21 October 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, October 21. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M., and C. J. Bridge, Esq, J.P.] Embezzlement.—lsaac Gardner, brought up on warrant from Timaru, on charge of embezzling monies belonging to Mr F. Innes, was, at the request of Inspector Buckley, remanded until Monday. Horses and Cattle at Large.—For permitting horses and cattle to wander in the public thoroughfare, the following owners were fined :—A. Culliford, fis ; Geo. Steel, 5s ; John Barlow, 5s ; J. Garland, 5s ; Thomas Aldridge, 5s ; Henry Leedham, 5s ; Henry Milne, 5s ; Samuel Nutt, 5s ; Charles Roger, 5s ; and John Brooks, ss. Cruelty to a Horse.—James Fraser, charged with working a horse with galled shoulders, was fined 10s. Causing an Obstruction.—James Gobs, summoned for obstructing Hereford street for two or three days with a house in course of removal, w 8 fined 20s. Absent from Cab.—Frederic Palmer and Ralph Trigance, charged with this offence, were each fined 10s. Job Hornell. summoned for being absent from his horse and vehicle, was also fined in a similar amount. Carrying Excess op Passengers*— Charles Drene was summoned for carrying two passengers in his hansom cab and one on the springs. As the informing constable could not say whether the driver had, or had not, obtained permission from the hirer to carry this latter passenger in the manner stated, as permitted by the bye-law, his Worship dismissed the case. Plying off Route.—Joshua Page, summonad for plying off his licensed route without advertising his intention to do, as required by the bye-law, was fined 10s. Dog in Park, Archdale Matthias, charged with allowing a dog to follow him through the Park, was fined 10s.

Driving Sheep on a Railway Line.— Henry Washbourne, was charged with driving, on the 4th October, about 400 sheep on the Racecourse and Southbridge railway. Defendant admitted the charge, and said he had committed the offence unwittingly. The witness for the prosecution said that Mr Washbourne had offered to pay the damage done. Fined £3.

Assaults. —Samuel Taylor was summoned for striking Thomas Mitchell. The assault was proved not to have been a very sorious one, and defeudant was fined 20s and costs. David Gurdle was charged with having assaulted a little boy named J. T. Cook, on the 15tn October. Mr A. Thompson appeared for the defendant. The mother of the boy said she did not see the assault, but when she returned home she found the boy lying on a sofa, very much hurt, and covered with bruises. Some of the bruises were still on his body. The little boy being called, said that on the afternoon of that day defendant's boy was striking his brother, and he went to take his part. Mr Gurdle then struck h'm, took him by the arm, and carried him into a bakehouse, kicked him, and afterwards struck him with a piece of iron. Some female neighbours of complainant corroborated the evidence of the boy as to the conduct of the defendant. Mr Thompson called a little girl, who stated that she saw the defendant did carry the little hoy across the road, but he did not strike him. They boy lay down himself on the road. She did not see what occurred after the boy was carried into the bakehouse. Fined 40s. Using Abusive Language. George Armstrong was charged with using abusive language towards J. P. Oliver, on the 15th October. Mr Thomas appeared for the defendant. A cross summons was taken out between these parties, which was heard at the same time. The evidence of Mr Oliver went to show that on that date he met defendant in Cashel street. A conversation took place about a crossed cheque for education rate sent by the former to the latter, and about the time he forwarded it he (complainant) received a summons for the rate. After some further conversation the defendant, according to eomplainant's evidence, used the langnage complained of. Evidence was given of an ill-feeling having existed about the previous year's collection of rates. Mr Poole, called by complainant, said he heard defendant call him (complainant) "a complete humbug," and he (defendant) also shook his whip at him. In cross-examination by Mr Thomas the witness stated that he had been summoned some time ago by Mr Armstrong for education rates. Mr Thomas then called Mr Armstrong on the cross summons, who said he was collector of education rates. He had inserted the advertisements produced. On the 4th October he applied for a summons against Mr Oliver for unpaid rates. On the 11th he received a memorandum from Mr Oliver enclosing a crossed cheque for the amount of his rate. On Friday last witness drove up to Ballantyne's' with Borne ladies, when Oliver came across to him and observed, " You have sent me a summons, and I have sent you a cheque." His manner was very impertinent. Witness then detailed the quarrel that took place between the two parties. Cross-examined by Mr Oliver—" 1 have sometimes received cheques for rates, but I regard it as irregular." After further evidence had been given, and Mr Thomas and Mr Oliver had addressed the Bench, his Worship said it seemed to him that it was just a case where both parties had lost their temper. Complainant acted hardly right in speaking of official business in the public street. Both cases would be dismissed.

Wife Desertion. —An order for protection of her earnings was granted to Mrs

MaTT Wheatley on the ground that her husband had deserted her, leaving her without .any means of support. Lunacy from Drink.—John barton, Who had been remanded on this charge, was brought up and ordered to be sent to the Hospital. , ; Furious Riding.—Daniel Stacey, charged with this offence, was fined 10s.