MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 532, 2 March 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH.

Thursday, March 2nd.

(Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M., and W. H. Pilliett, Esq, J.P.) Drunkenness.—The following cases were dealt with :—Jesse Engfield was find ss; Mary Pryke, for drunkenness at the Railway Station, was fined 40s; Richard Hart was fined ss; Patrick Ryan was fined • ss; Michael Hannon was fined ss. , Houses and Cattle at Large.—The following cases were dealt with:—Robert Morton, fined ss; John Merson, case dismissed ; J. Clark, 5s ; Wm. Campell, fined 5s ; Samuel Dowdel, fined 5s ; A. McTaggart, fined ss; Samuel Woods, fined ss; James Rosser, fined 5s ; James McKenzie, fined ss.

Absent from Vehicle.—J. D. Frankish was fined 10s for being absent from his vehicle, so that the horse was not under proper control. , Ferocious Dog. James Clark was charged with being the owner of a ferocious dog, which, on the 14th January, was allowed to be at large and unmuzzled. It appeared that a boy named Eobt. Turton was bitten by the dog on the day named in the information, and was ill in consequence for three weeks. Turton was playing with a lad named Duncan, who took the [dog off the chain. Duncan stated that the dog never had bitten before, and had been in the habit of playing with the children. Mr Clark never authorised witness to let the dog off Case dismissed. Breach of Licensing Acts.—Jacob Wagner, landlord of the Clarendon, was charged with having on January 15th kept open his licensed house for the sale of liquors during prohibited hours. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. Police-sergeant Wilson deposed that he entered the house at the time named in the information ; saw no drink served; there were five men in the bar, but no person was serving them; saw Mr Wagner in the' passage, who said that the men came in during his absence and without his knowledge; Mr Wagner is a little deaf; Henry D. Manning said that he was in defendant's house between 12 and 1 a.m. on. 15th inst; got into the house with other young men through the private entrance; there was no drink served. Another witness gave similar testimony. Mr Thomas submitted that the charge must be dismissed, as there was no evidence to show that liquors had been sold or even offered for sale. Mr Mellish said that he would give defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the information.

Assault.—Robert Ross was charged with assaulting George Daltry at Waltham. Mr Thomas appeared for the complainant, and Mr Joynt for the defendant. The matter out of which the alleged assault arose was a dispute with reference to the right of certain horses, belonging to defendant, being in complainant's father's paddock; -during the dispute .Ihe father, Joseph Daltry, told defendant that he was drunk, and then he struck complainant; he also attempted to get into Daltry's house. Mr Mellish said that it was a gross case, which he felt com. pelted to visit otherwise than by fine. Mr Joynt applied for leave to examine defendant and other witnesses, as he had no idea that the case would take such a turn. Mr Thomas said that his client did not wish defendant to be sent to gaol. His Worship said that defendant might consider himself fortunate in complainant having begged him off. Defendant would be fined £5, and 5s costs. Slaughtebing License.—The adjourned application of John Brook for a slaughtering license at the Tai Tapu was called on. Mr Thomas appeared in support of the application, and Mr Joynt to oppose. Mr Thomas produced a plan of the locus in quo. He now applied for a license to be granted to slaughter at the flax shed and not at the flax m ill—both were on the same premises. Inspector Coleman stated that he had inspected the place indicated, and did not think that any nuisance would arise from slaughtering there Mr Mellish said that he did not see any reason to alter his previous opinion. Ha did not think this was a desirable place >anc| the license would therefore, be refused. mttm