MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 464, 9 December 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, December 9. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly. —The following inebriates were dealt with :—John Mason, fined 5s ; Joseph Stevens, ss; Robert Jamieson, charged with drunkenness and going about the cabstands the previous night, with an open knife in his hand threatening he would stab a certain man if he could find him, was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard labor. Illegally on Premises. —Terrence McLaughlan was brought up for being found illegally on the premises of the White Swan Hotel, the previous night. It was shown that the accused had formerly been living in the house, and his Worship dismissed the charge. Larceny, Frederick Humphries was charged on warrant with stealing a tent-fiy, at Ashburton, belonging to Mr Blackburn. Inspector Feast produced the warrant on which accused had been arrested, Accused had admitted to him that he had taken the fly, but it was for money owing to him by prosecutor. He (witness) would ask that be remanded to the Ashburton. Remand granted as asked. Using Obscene (Language. James McKenzie, jun, and Duncan Stewart were charged on summons with using obscene language and being drunk at Merrivale on the 18th of last month. Dr Foster appeared for McKenzie. Evidence was given to show that on that date the accused were in charge of two horses on the main road at Merivale. Both were drunk and had been fighting ; and at intervals very bad language was used by one of them. They had annoyed the neighbourhood very much by their conduct. In cross-examination by Dr Foster, it was shown that McKenzie had not been the aggressor, nor had he used any profane language. McKenzie u as fined 10s for drunkenness, and Stewart £1 10s for being drunk and using obscene language. Witnesses’ expenses (£1 ss) were also allowed. Breach of Public-house Ordinance.— W. R. Smith was summoned for keeping his licensed house, the Crown Hotel, open, and selling drink during prohibited hours on Sunday, 21st November. Mr Wynn Williams appeared for accused, and admitted the offence, but stated in mitigation that his client was very particular in not selling drink on Sundays. On this occasion the father and brother of a servant girl, then in Mr Smith's employ, camean from Biugs-

land, and Mr Smith supplied them with a glass of ale each. The girl had since been discharged, and the present information had been laid. In reply to the Bench, Inspector Buckley said the house was exceedingly well conducted. His Worship said that defendant should have asked the men if they were travellers before supplying them with the beer, but under the circumstances of the case, and the report of the inspector of police he would only inflict a fine of 20s and 5s expense of witness. Horses and Cattle at Large.— For permitting horses and cattle to wander, Fredk. Ballard, was fined ss; David White, ss; Thomas Hazaard, 5s ; Robert Beattie, 5s ; James Wilson, 5s ; Joseph Pillow, 5s ; George Steel, ss; A. Culliford, 5s ; James Hill, 5s ; R. Sunderland (two informations), 10s, and expense of witness ; Philip Taylor, 5s ; Edward Campbell, 5s ; A. Cowan, 5s ; Robert Morton, ss; Samuel Ward, 5s ; James Chambers, 5s ; A. G. Saunders, 5s ; P. Palmer, 5s ; John Cassin, 5s ; John Condon, 5s ; Thomas McGarvan, 5s ; William Pearson, ss; Henry Brown, ss; and G. M. Pickering, ss. Driving Cattle in Prohibited Hours.— Hugh Donelly and William McMillan, summoned for driving cows through the streets during prohibited hours, were each fined ss. Tethering a Horse. —W, A. Herbert was charged with tethering a horse on the East town belt, and allowing it to cross the footpath. Defendant denied that it was his horse which had been on the footpath, and his Worship dismissed the charge. Runaway. —John Bergman, summoned for allowing his horse to runaway, was fined 10s.

No Light on Hoarding.— James Goss was summoned on three informations for neglecting to keep a sufficient light on a hoarding at junction of Cashel street and Oxford terrace. Defendant admitted the offence, but pleaded the late stormy weather rendering it an impossibility to keep the lamps alight. Fined 10s on one charge, and the other two cases dismissed. Behaving so as to Provoke a Breach of the Peace. —James Gilbert was charged with behaving so as to provoke a breach of the peace to H. B. Huddlestone. From the evidence of prosecutor it appeared that on the 9th December he was driving on the bridle path at the Heathcote Valley ; his son was riding a horse behind at the time. He passed defendant, and when he did so he (defendant) drew his cart across, and cracked his whip in front of his son’s face, causing his horse to shy and nearly go over the cutting. He had to run back to prevent an accident happening to his son. He had occasion to bring defendant before the Bench sometime ago, and since then an illfeeling had existed on his part. A witness called by defendant said that he was standing about five chains away at the time. Defendant pulled his cart on one side and allowed the boy plenty of room to pass, but the horse he was riding was a young unbroken one. Mr Huddlestone observed to the Bench that it would be impossible for this witness to see the occurrence from where he was standing. His Worship said it was a pity where an ill-feeling existed b ;tweeu neighbours that such cases were brought into Court. But for this feeling, he did not think the case would have been brought forward. Case dismissed. Slaughter-house Licenses. —The following applications for licenses to slaughter were heard :—Charles Jeffs, section 2715. Templeton. Granted. Wm. Rossiter, section 156, Spreydon. The inspector of slaughterhouses stated to the Bench that when he inspected this place there were a number of bullock heads lying about, which created a nuisance. The neighbours also complained of the applicant’s pigs running about, but would not object to the license being granted. Application adjourned to the 23rd inst.