MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 461, 6 December 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, December 6. (Before G. L. Hellish, Esq, R.M.) . Drunk and Destroying Private Property.—Aim Sliott was charged with this offence. Mr Wynn Williams appeared to prosecute. The arresting constable stated that he was sent for on Saturday to the house of the father-indaw of accused. She was in a very excited state, and he saw her throw down a table and break a lot of crockery. Valentine JShott stated that accused came to the house on Saturday, and asked for her children, of which his son is the father, and pays a certain sum of money per week for their support. She was drunk at the time ; was very violent; used bad and threatening language, and broke a quantity of delf. In reply to the Bench, the accused said all she wanted from the prosecutors was peace and quietness, and permission to see her children. The Shotts refused to let her see them, and that was the cause of her conduct. Both the prosecutor and his son had ill-used her when she went to the house on Saturday. His Worship said the case seemed to be one more of annoyance than drunkenness. The best thing accused could do was to leave her children alone, and he had no doubt if she went to see them in a quiet and proper manner, she would be permitted to see them. He did not wish to deal harshly with her, hut she must not repeat the annoyance, and must abstain from taking drink in the future. The case would be discharged now, but she must not create another disturbance, or she would be punished. Lunacy from Drink, —James Schrader, who was brought up on this charge, and had recovered, was discharged on his promising to at once join a temperance society. Soliciting Alms. James Brown was charged with begging money from a Mr Duckworth, in High street, on Friday and Saturday last, Mr Duckworth proved the offence. Accused was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment, with hard labour. Drunk and Disorderly.— George Davis was fined 20s. Edward Stuart, who had been admitted to bail, did not answer to his name, and his Worship adjourned the case until Tuesday. Attempting to Commit Suicide. —James Buchanan was charged with attempting to commit suicide on Saturday night last. Alexander Hood stated that he was in company with accused on Saturday night. He had given his (witness) wife a letter in the morning to deliver to his own wife, who is staying at his (witness) place, and accused walked down from his lodgings in the evening with witness. He (accused) and their wives were afterwards walking near the railway, when accused and his wife com menced “ haggling ” together, and witness went up and said “You must not strike her,” Accused then went on to his knees, and hoped the sun might shine on his wife and that she might be happy, and said she would be a widow next day. He then took out the knife produced, and attempted to cut his throat with it. He (witness) took hold of his arm, and held him while a policeman was sent for. The accused was a quiet, hard-working man, and had not been drinking, but he was very much excited at this time. His Worship told accused that he had acted very childishly, and if he thought he had intended to carry out his threat he would certainly take care of him for some time. He no doubt intended only to frighten his wife, but it was a very foolish act. The charge would be dismissed. Stealing Beer. —Alexander McKenzie, Francis Coyne, and James Brown were charged with this offence. Constable Barden stated that on Saturday morning McKenzie was given into his custody by the barman of the Borough Hotel on the charge of stealing beer. When arrested McKenzie said that it was not he who took the beer, but a fiddler named Coyne, When he arrested Coyne afterwards, he said he did not steal the beer. Wilson Berridge, cook at the Borough Hotel, stated that about 5.30 on Saturday morning he saw five men at one of the beer hogsheads, and McKenzie was drinking beer at the time out of a broken bottle. He threw a poker at the man. The prisoners were three of the men who were round the barrel. Alfred Thompson, barman at the Borough Hotel, said that he was called on Saturday morning. When he got up, MeKenzie was being detained ; he afterwards gave him into custody, A large quantity of beer had been taken from time to time, and the value of the beer stolen and wasted on Saturday would be about £3. John Garland deposed to seeing Coyne and McKenzie at

the rear of the Borough Hotel on Saturday morning, and saw Coyne come out of the back yard with a broken bottle in his hand. McKenzie was also there, but he did not see the third prisoner. The accused, in defence, said they had been asked by two men to have a drink of beer, but they denied having broached the hogshead. Sentenced each to fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard labour.