MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, 15 February 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, February 15, [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, B.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.—Patrick O'Cotf nell for this offence was fined 10s, and Wm, McKenzie ss.

Creating a Disturbance—Mary Holmes for this offence was fined 40s.

Larceny.—Ellen Boyle, who was convicted of stealing several articles from the back yard of a cottage .belonging to F. Ormandy, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with' hard labour. Affiliation.— The remanded charge against John MacMahon for "being the father of an illegitimate child of which Margaret Condon was the mother was called on. Mr Joynt appeared for the complainant, Mr Thomas for th.e defendant. The accused was subjected to a lengthy cross-examination by Mr Joynt, who requested that the evi • dence should be taken downi as he intended to proceed further with the case. There was considerable argument between the opposing counsel, and the counsel and the Bench, as to whether certain questions might be put to the defendant as to his conduct with regard to other girls besides the convplainant. Eventually the Bench decided that the questions could be put. Mr Thomas then advised his client not to answer a question put by Mr Joynt. His Worship insisted on the question being answered, but the defendant, by the advice of his counsel, still declined. He was then committed to the common gaol at Addington for forty-eight hours for contempt. The defendant having been taken into custody, Mr Thomas then consented on the prisoner's behalf that he should answer the question put by, Mr Joynt. The cleI fendant then resumed his place in the wit- . ness box, and answered the questions put to, I him by the counsel for the plaintiff. At the conclusion of Mr Joynt's cross-examination, Mr Thomas re-examined the witness, but nothing of any consequence was elicited. Mr Joynt then called a witness named Margaret Devon, who ga\e evidence as to her acquaintance with the defendant. Witnesses named John MacSwiggin, M rs Bresnahan, and Mrs Williams were called by Mr Joynt, and Margaret Condon was Mr Thomas on the part of the defendant, called Edwin Spjcer and Caroline MacMahon. Counsel on both sides having addressed the Bench, the Magistrate said that the evidence of the cle-. fendant had been unsatisfactory throughout, and-that ttye* evidence of the girl had been corroborated important particulars, more especially by Mrs Bresnahan. Defendant was or«pd to pay 10s per week towards the stippacfc of the child. LYf'BELTON. 1. Monday, ;? Ajbkuaby 14. (Before W"i i)»ld, Esq., R.M.) v DBUNKENN£SS.-VEpincis Coyne, arrested by Constable Devihe,pvas dismissed with a caution ;■ ' m Absent without4S|A.ve.— George Pierce, .of the. barque Hadda,,%as accused of this offence. The captaito not pressing the charge the man was omered on board. Lunacy fbom 'Ubink:.—Francis Mitchell, whOiwas found by Serkt-Major O'Qrady in 'the schoolyard on Satalday at in a delirious state, wasi/emanded for eight days for medical tfpatment. •. ." Insulting' A Female.-—Dennis Foote, a lisamaß belonging to the ship Soukar, was sfihasged with following a little girl aged '"eleven: years on twV several occasions last ;week,on the outskirißof the town. In consideration of his having been, locked up since Saturday night, 'the Bfeeh "dismissed the case, after severely rewimahding the ac« cased and warning him 'to be careful in the future. z