MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 480, 31 December 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, December 31. (Before Alexander Lean, Esq., J.P.). Drunk and Indecent Exposure.— John Lane, charged with this offence, was fined 20s, or 48 hours. Drunk and Disorderly.— The following inebriates were dealt with : Charles McCarthy, was fined 5s ; James Greenwood, 5s ; John Corboy, 20s ; and Ann Griffiths Tilley, who was also charged with wilful destruction of private property in a house at the East belt, was fined 10s for being drunk, and ordered to pay the value of the property destroyed. (Before R. J. S. Harman and A. Lean, Esqs, J.P.’s ) Ferocious Dog at Large. —The adjourned summons case against Norman Haines, for allowing a ferocious dog belonging to him to wander at large, was called on. The evidence of Charles Hulls showed that the dog had rushed at him in Armagh street, and had bitten him in the leg. Defendant admitted being the owner of the dog. Fined 20s, and 14s expense of witness.

Cutting and Wounding. Theodore Arnold was charged on remand with cutting and wounding Arthur Stewart Faithful with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. The following evidence was taken Constable Hughes stated that on the night of the 22nd instant about 10 o’clock he was in front of the Q, 0. B. Hotel in Gloucester street. He saw the prisoner in front of the hotel, and saw him catch hold of a man who is now in Court (A. S. Faithful) by the throat with his left hand, and strike him with the right on the left shoulder. A scuffle then ensued, and prisoner said, “I’ll do for you now.” Did not see him strike the second blow. Then caught hold of prisoner’s arm and held him. Sergeant Wilson then took prisoner by the left hand, and he (witness) saw the knife produced drop. Prisoner then said—" I’ll do for him yet. I have been waiting for him for some days to pot him.” The first he saw of the knife was when it dropped to the ground. Held the prisoner till he heard that Faithful had been stabbed ; then arrested him and charged him with the offence. On the way to the depot prisoner remarked he was sorry he had missed his heart); that he had been drinking for two or three days, and his hand was unsteady. He said that Faithful had robbed a man in Port, and had said it was him that did it. He (witness) cautioned prisoner in the usual manner, and he said if he met Faithful in twenty years he would pot him. Asked prisoner where he carried the knife. He said he was wearing it in a sheath, and he (witness) could have it Prisoner was wearing the sheath produced, at the back of his waist. It fits the knife. By prisonei—l am quite sure you were sorry you had missed his heart. Sergeant Wilson stated that on the night of the 22nd instant he was outside the Q C.E. Hotel, a few yards from the front entry to the bar door. Saw the prisoner and prosecutor come out of the bar ol that hotel. Prisoner was in front and prosecutor following him when they were coming out of the door. When they got outside, on the footpath, saw the prisoner catch hold of the other man by the throat with his left hand. He struck down at him with his right hand at the same time. Could not say in what part the man was struck. A scuffle ensued, and he saw Constable Hughes catch hold of the prisoner with his arras around him, and he (witness) then caught hold of the prisoner’s right arm. The knife produced, then fell out of the prisoner’s hand on to the footpath. The prisoner was struggling hard at the time, wanting to get at the prosecutor, and he (witneg ) saw a cabman named Reed pick up the knife produced, which was handed to him. The prosecutor then went into the hotel, and prisoner said he intended to do for Faithful, and that was the only opportunity he had had for several days. He (witness) then followed Faithful into the hotel, and law him

stripped. Had before this given the constable instructions to take the prisoner to depot. When Faithful was undressed of the two shirts and vest produced, saw he was bleeding, and that the clothes were all three cut, each cut corresponding in position. The cuts are a little belo--, the breast, on the left-hand side. Examined the prosecutor and saw he had three wounds corresponding with the cuts in the clothes. He had also a cut on the jaw, and another in the neck, ail the cuts were bleeding. Was about conveying prosecutor to the hospital when Dr Prins arrived. Had him then taken to the Commercial Hotel. By prisoner—All the wounds were clean cuts. Arthur Stewart Faithful living at Warner’s Commercial Hotel, Christchurch, stated that he was a recent arrival by the Langstone. Prisoner was also a passenger by that vessel. On the night of the 220 d inst was in the side passage of the QC.E. Hotel. There were some other gentlemen in company with him. Prisoner came in through the frant bar and said, “ I have been looking for you almost all the afternoon, I have something particular to say to you, will you come outside for a minute,” He" (witness) replied “ Yes, but I can’t stop long.” Then followed him out through the front bar. When about five yards from the door prisoner stopped, turned round, and seized him by the throat with his left hand, and said, “You villain, take this.” That was all the prisoner said, and struck him with his right hand. Think it was with a blow with the fist he was struck. He (witness) partially freed himself, and then saw the glitter of a knife as prisoner’s hand was raised for a second blow. Threw up his right hand to ward the blow off, and felt the point of the knife enter his left side. He then called out that he was stabbed. Prisoner only struck him twice. He then saw the prisoner pinioned by the constable. He only felt two blows. Did not see a knife drop, but saw the knife produced on the ground, which he identified as his property. Then returned to the hotel and stripped, and left there afterwards to Warner’s hotel with Dr Prins. The clothes produced are those he had on that night. There is a cut on the left side of his body corresponding with that in the clothes. Had the coat produced on at the time, but it was open at the time. Deceived three cuts that night’ One on his left cheek, another behind the left jaw, and the third on his side, all received at the hands of the prisoner, Had not the slightest idea how tile prisoner got possession of the knife. Last saw it about a month ago on board the vessel. The knife was in such a place that the prisoner could obtain possession of it. Was attended by Dr Prins that night. Had been confined to his bed for five days. Only felt his side tender, and a little drawing on that side. By Prisoner—My brother gave the knife to the second steward, and he (the steward) returned it to him. I have not the slightest idea for your motive in stabbing me. Ido not think you had been drinking that evening. James Reed, cabdriver, stated that he was outside the Q.C.E. Hotel on the night of the 22nd instant. Saw the prosecutor and prisoner outside the hotel. They both went inside afterwards, and by different doors. Prosecutor asked him (witness) to have a drink. Prisoner was not then present. While he (witness) was in company of prosecutor, the prisoner came in and stood there for a few moments, and then said to prosecutor that he wished to speak to him particularly. They both went out, and he (witness) also went out. Saw prisoner catch hold of the prosecutor and strike him. Saw that the prisoner had a knife in his hand, and he (witness) called out. Prisoner struck the man with his right hand once, and afterwards with the knife. Constable Hughes then caught hold of the man. Did not see the knife drop, but he afterwards picked up the knife produced which he handed to Seigeant Wilson. Prisoner afterwards said, “He meant to do it; that he had come all the way from the port on purpose to do for him, and would do yet if it was in five years to come.” The prisoner also said, “ You robbed the man, and yet you blame me for it.” By prisoner— When you came into the passage I did not think you had been drinking. You seemed to be perfectly sober at the time. Dr Prins, called, stated that on the night of the 22nd December he was called to attend the prosecutor between a quarter and half past 10 o’clock. Found him just entering a cab to go to the hospital. Examined him at Warner’s hotel and found a wound in the left cheek at the angle of the jaw, and another in the neck under the car, also a third wound on the abdomen. The wound in the face was in his opinion caused by one blow, the wound at the angle of the jaw was the entrance of the knife, and the one on the neck its exit. The wo md on the ald )tnen was a small one; After dressing the wound examined the prosecutor’s clothes. The under shirt and waistcoat had a cut in each corresponding with the cut on the abdomen. Attended prosecutor until h : s recovery. The knife produced would cause the wounds described. The wounds have not proved dangerous. It was only just a question whether the knife had penetrated the abdomen or not, whether the wound would prove dangerous. Could not tell whether it would have proved so or not, until after six or seven days had elapsed. Had considered it advisable that the prosecutor should remain in his bed for some days. The prosecutor was now out of danger. By prisoner—The knife penetrated the cheek about an inch in a lateral direction. It was as deep as it could go, as the jaw bone prevented it going deeper. Did not probe the wound in the abdomen as it would not have been wise to do so. Could not tell the depth of the wound It might have penetrated to a depth of an eighth of an inch. The wound could have been inflicted by the knife produced. The evidence having been read over to prisoner, and having received the usual caution, he reserved his defence, and was fully committed to take his trial at the ensuing criminal sessions of the Supreme Court. LARCENY, —Patrick Maloney was charged with stealing a pair of boots from Mr A. Clark’s shop, High street. The prisoner was seen to take the boots, which were hanging outside the door of the shop, by a boy, and go to the bar of the City Hotel. After he came out of hotel, believing himself to be watched, he dropped them on the footpath. The boots were identified by Mr Clark as belonging to him, and were valued at 18s 6d. The prisoner was under the influence of drink at the time. Sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Obtaining Goods by False Pretences. Fames Finn was charged on remand from Akaroa with obtaining three pair of boots from Andrew Clark, High street, by false pretences. The prisoner had gone to Mr Clark’s shop on the 4th NoTem*

ber, and got two pairs of boots for Mrs Dorn, who prisoner said had sent him, The boots were given him. He went to the shop again on the 9th November, and got a third pair of boots for the same person, which were given him on the strength of his statement. When the account was sent to Mrs Dorn it was discovered that the prisoner had not been sent by her, and that he had no authority to get the boots. Two of the pairs were ladies’ boots, which the prisoner acknowledged having sold. In her evidence, Mrs Dorn, who is sister of accused, said she had authorised him to get a pair of boots for himself, Sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor.