MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 563, 7 April 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, April 7. [Before G. L, Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunkenness. —Thomas Richards, an old offender, for being drunk and disorderly while in charge of a horse, was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment, John Walls, for being under the influence of liquor, and for disorderly conduct, was lined ss. Wife Desertion. John Lloyd was brought up on warrant charged with desei'ting his wife, Mary Lloyd. Complainant deposed that prisoner had deserted her in September last, saying lie was going away in a schooner, but he had never sent her any money, with the exception of one sum of £3. She had been compelled to get aid from the Charitable Institution. He came back a few days ago, and on Frday night he had abused and assaulted witness. Prisoner, in defence, denied that he had stuck her, and said that she had refused to live with him, would not wash, or do anything for him. He gave her neai-ly all he earned. She gave a ring to another man, and wrote to him to meet her, and in the letter said that her name was no more Mary Lloyd, but Mary B -—•—* ; that she would be true to him if he would bo true to her. The Bench enquired what the woman’s character was. The Inspector replied that she used to be of loose habits, but she was much better now. Prisoner said she was continually drinking with other people, and setting up till all hours of the night. He was willing to keep her. He was a seaman, and earned £7 a month, In answer to the Bench he said he would maintain the child, but did not care about maintaining his wife, as she said she would not live with him. Complainant said she had five children, and one of them was the prisoner’s. Ordered to pay 25s a week, and recommended to give her a month’s payment in advance by orcler on his employers. Ultimately prisoner and his wife left the Court, the former offering to give her some money in the afternoon. KAIAPOL Thursday, April 6. (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq., 8.M.) Larceny.— G. Kilgour, jun, on remand, was charged with larceny of a £5 note belonging to his father. The Magistrate to Q. Kilgour, sen—l understand you wish to withdraw this charge. What are your reasons? Prosecutor —Yes. I laid it when I was under the influence of liquor. Magistrate—What do the police say ? Constable Haldane—Prosecutor, your Worship, was sober when he made the charge, at 7 a m on Wednesday, and signed the information. Magistrate—He was sober too when he was here yesterday and the case was gone into. After the explanation given in my office, I have no hesitation in dismissing the case .and saying the lad leaves the court without any suspicion, but at the same time (addressing the father) you ought not to have laid a charge against a lad no more than seventeen years old in such a way as this, more especially when the boy is a member of your own family. Your conduct is very reprehensible, and rendered, if anything worse by your statement, for you were not at all under the influence of liquor yesterday. I caution you to be more careful in future. W. Woods was charged, on information qf Pat. Whelan, with stealing a pair of elastidside boots, value 22s 6d. The parties had been on friendly terms and staying at the Railway Boarding-house. Accused admitted having taken the boots to go to Christchurch, intending to return them, when he was arrested, and had left at the hotel a pair of pants and two pairs of boots ( The magis-

trate, remarking that no felonious intent was proved, cautioned accused that, but for his returning to the town with the articles, he might have been sentenced to imprisonment. Obtaining Goods by Valueless Order. —Houi Mark, a Maori, arrested by Constable Haldane, was charged with obtaining from Carl Hansen, at Middleton’s Hotel, four bottles of liquor, value 11s, The constable stated that he found the pocketbook produced on accused, from which the leaf on which the order was written corresponded ; there was also an impression of the order on the next leaf made with the hard pencil used, and in other places where he had been practising, thus, “Mr Harry Middleton please geve John Malen “Mr Harry Middletsn pleas to geve Matene J. “ Mr W. Moody pleas to geve my money £4 18,” The order handed to him by prosecutor was—“ Mr Middleton please to geve John Matone some beer and two pottle whisky —moody.” C. Hausen state I that accused on the date in the information asked for two gallons of beer and two bottles of whisky, for Walter Moody. Witness asked if he had any order. He replied “Yes,” and handed him the order produced, saying Mr Moody gave it to him. In consequence of this witness gave him the whisky, and as he had nothing to put the two gallons of beer in he gave him two bottles. Walter Moody, North road, stated he knew accused, but had never given him authority to get anything for him. Did not give him the order; and had not seen it till yesterday. The magistrate said the charge was clearly proved, and from the evidence in the pocket book accused did not appear to have been the dupe of another party. He was sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment, with labor. LYTTELTON. Wednesday, April 5, (Before W. Donald, Esq, R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly, and Resisting ( the Police. —William Pemberton, arrested . by Constable Devine, and charged with the above offence, was fined 10s.