MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 581, 29 April 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRIST CHURCH,

Saturday, April 29. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.—James Bell, charged with being drunk and disorderly, and also with resisting the police, was fined 20s, and Is for cab-hire. Illegally on Premises. —Bridget Ferrick, an eccentric-looking woman of middle age, was charged with being illegally on the premises of Mr Beattie, of the Q.C.E., viz., sleeping in the stable without authority. Prisoner was sentenced to forty-eight hours' imprisonment. On leaving the Court, she said she hoped the witnesses would be choked.

Vagrancy. —James Shearer was charged with vagrancy. Mr Thomas appeared for the prisoner. Detective Bettingtou said he had watched the prisoner frequently. He was a pimp and decoy for drunken men, who were taken to the houses for women where he was always hanging about. He was of bad character, and was always prowling about and trying to pick up drunken men. In cross-examination, witness swore distinctly that the prisoner was a pimp to witness’ own knowledge, William Wilburn deposed to the prisoner having been in his company, and wanted to take him away to a house. On leaving prisoner’s company he missed six notes. He was sure prisoner was the man who had taken the money from him. Other evidence having been given, the prisoner was discharged with a strong caution, and on the understanding that he would at once clear out and go to work in the country. Wife Desertion, —Henry Jordon was charged with deserting his wife Janet in Timaru, about two months ago. Prisoner said he had left her with £lO. Witness said her husband had gone away with another woman. Prisoner said this was quite correct. He would not live with the complainant, but he was willing to allow her maintenance money. Ordered to pay £1 a week. Assaulting a Wife.— George Marshall was charged with violently assaulting his wife, Mary Marshall. The prosecutor deposed that the prisoner threatened to kill her. He took up the poker and assaulted her. He was always getting drunk and coming home and ill-treating her. He never gave her a farthing. Prisoner said he had nothing to say. He was bound over to keep the peace for six months, himself in £2O, and two sureties of £lO each—in default of finding sureties to have a month’s imprisonment. Deserted Children.— Mary Gallagher and John Gallagher, two little children, were placed at the foot of the table and charged with being neglected children. The evidence given showed that the childrens’ mother and father were habitually drunk, and had frequently been convicted in that Court. The children were systematically neglected. They were sent to the educational school for seven years’, to be brought up in the Roman Catholic religion.