MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 550, 23 March 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, March 23. (Before (4. L, Mellish, Esq, R.M.) Dr i;nk ivN n ess. —The following inebriates wore dealt with:—Johanna O’Connor alias Gallagher, was fined 10s; Thomas Carlin was fined os. Arson. —John Diepenheim, a boy, was charged with wilfully and maliciously setting fire to a stack of hay, the property of Mr Jackson, at Papanui. On the application of Sergeant Pratt, prisoner was remanded until to-morrow. Robbing a Till. —Daniel Hamer alias Jones was charged with stealing 4s from a till at the Public Library. Detective Bettington deposed that he caused Miss Reader to mark certain money—a fiorin, three shillings, and two sixpences with a cross under the head, and place them in the s'amp drawer at the Public Library. Yesterday it was reported that the florin and two shillings were missing directly after the prisoner had left the Library. Witness and Inspector Feast met the prisoner, and the inspector charged prisoner with being a vagrant. Pri soner then produced some silver, which witness seized, and amongst it found the missing marked money (produced). Prisoner denied having committed the offence. Miss Reader gave corroborative evidence, and stated that the prisoner was in the

Library yesterday between one and two o’clock. After he was gone witness missed from the drawer the marked florin and two shillings produced. The money belongs to witness' father. Prisoner said nothing in his defence and called no witnesses. Inspector Feast said that the Wesleyan Chapel box had been broken open, and the poor box at St Luke’s Church. The prisoner had done no work, but had been loafing about. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. Horses and Cattle at Large. —The following cases were dealt with Charles Oromsone, fined 12s ; William Vincent, fined ss; A. McTaggart, fined sa; John Dingle, fined ss; Julia Clark, fined ss; Samuel Seager, fined 10s ; Bheuben Butcher, fined 5s ; W. A, Herbert, fined 20s (two cases) ; Samuel Dowding, fined 5s ; Wm, Munroe, charged with having obstructed the footpath by having two horses and a dray standing across the footpath at the back of the Post office. Defendant said that he had left the dray to go into the Weighbridge office to get his ticket. This was corroborated by the Weighbridge keeper. The Bench dismissed the case.

Keeping a Brothel.—Mary Gordon was charged with keeping a house of ill-fame in George street. Detective Bettington gave evidence as to a row which occurred in defendant’s house in George street. The house was a house of ill-fame, in which robberies had been committed. The defendant was fined £5 and cost of two witnesses.

Cab Lamps not Alight. —James Reed, a licensed cabman, was charged with neglecting to keep a proper light burning on his vehicle, was dismissed with a caution, as he had one lamp burning.

Width of Tires Act.— James Ward was charged with having driven a waggon drawn by five horses with a width of tire less than 5 inches. The offence was proved, the width being 3$ inches. His Worship said that as this was the first case, it would be dismissed. Similar cases against Charles Neil and E. W. Trent were dismissed on the same ground. His Worship remarked that the Act was in force now, and hereafter would be strictly enforced. He was glad the police had taken action in the matter. Creating a Disturbance in a Licensed House. —Thomas Richards and Jos. Hasketh were charged with having on the 9th March created a disturbance in the Borough Hotel by fighting in the bar. As it appeared that Hasketh was the cause of the disturbance, he was fined 20s, Richards was dismissed. Driving too Fast across the Rakaia Bridge. —Thomas -Jones was charged with driving a pair of horses and cart across the Rakaia bridge at a greater speed than six miles an hour. Inspector Feast said the railway authorities had sent the wrong witness. Case dismissed.

Unregistered Dog. Henry Rutson, charged with being the owner of an unregistered dog, appeared in Court drunk, and was locked up for contempt of Court.

Not Attending his Horses.— James Bowden, the driver of a laden waggon, was charged with net properly attending his horses and waggon while driving on the Lincoln road. He was fined 10s.

Adulteration of Liquors —Edward Y Hiorns appeared to answer an information for selling adulterated liquor. Mr Garrick appeared to support the information and Mr Joynt, with him Mr Thomas, for defendant. Mr Joyn' took the preliminary ob jeotion that this case had been previously dismissed. By the 23rd section of the Justices of the Peace Act a certificate of dis missal was a bar to all future proceedings in the same case. There was a test case trier which was dismissed on technical grounds, and then the remainder of tne cases were likewise dismissed. Certificates of dismissal kad been applied for, and would be issued in an hour. He would submit that the Court had no jurisdiction. Mr Garrick said that he certainly did not understand that the cases were dismissed, but that they were withdrawn, otherwise he cer tainly should not have have caused the informations to be res worn. Mr Me dish said ihatthe cases were dismissed, and were en tered as such on the record. He should certainly issue the certificates of dismissal which were applied for. Certificates of dismissal were ordered in this case as well as in the cases of Joseph Oram Sheppard and El'zabeth Fuchs.

Abusive Language —Elizabeth Hull was charged with using abusive and threatening language towards Jane Paynton. This was a trumpery quarrel by neighbours, and was dismissed, as was also another information by the same parties. Philip Redington was charged with using abusive and threatening language to John Trots, and was fined 10s and costs of two witnesses.

Violent Assault.— John O'Malley was charged on information with assaulting Robt Paul. Mr Joynt, in support of the information, Mr Thomas for defendant. Mr Thomas applied to have the case adjourned. O’ Malley only got the summons yesterday, and cross information had been sworn. His Worship adjourned the case for a week. Wife Desertion.— Charles Hopkins appeared on remand to answer a charge of deserting his wife, Harriett Hopkins, and two children. The defendant made a statement affecting his wife's character which was denied by Mrs Hopkins, who said that his statement was utterly unfounded. She only wished her husband to support the two children, as she had property of her own sufficient to maintain her, and she produced a letter from England confirmatory of her statement. Inspector Feast said that he knew nothing against Mrs Hopkins’ character. Mrs Hopkins said that she did not want an order made on defendant. All she wanted was that he should be kept from annoying her. She would be glad if the Court would give her an order to protect her earnings. His Worship said that there appeared to be nothing against Mrs Hopkins’ character, and defendant did not appear to do anything towards her support. He should grant a protection order. Slaughtering Licenses. —The following cases were dealt with :—John Brook, TaiTapu ; this was objected to by John Gerkin, as being likely to 13 prejudicial to the health of his family. Constable Cartman, who had inspected the locality, said no person objected except Mr Gerkin, The Bench granted the license, as the applicant said that he would keep the premises clean. Danzio Cant, granted; Edward Chapman, Drayton, near Ashburton, granted ; B. G. Fleming, Bast Malvern, granted ; R. G. Fleming, Ahuriri, granted : John Gilmour, Heathcote, granted ; Thomas Hancock, Spreydon, granted ; Wm Keill, Ferry road, granted ; H. P. MurrayAynsley, Mount Hutt station, Ashburton, granted ; J. B. Pepperill, Ferry road, granted ; Parker Westenra, Oatnla station, granted} Thomas Garr, Grsenparlt,granted.