MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 601, 23 May 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, May 23. fßefore G, L, Mellisb, Esq, R.M.] Drunkenness. —An inebriate, for being drunk and disorderly on the Railway station, and for resisting the police, was fined 20s, and ordered to pay Is cabhire. Another for simple drunkenness, was ordered to pay 10s. Ellen Jordan, an old offender, who was fined and cautioned a few days ago, admitted that she was a “ regular nuisance,” and was fined 20s. Robert Hart, for being drunk and disorderly, was ordered to pay 10s; and another inebriate, for drunkenness, was fined ss. Larceny.—John Smith was charged with stealing a pair of boots from the shop of Mr George, High street, and also with assaulting the police. Edward George deposed that the boots stolen were hanging on a nail just within the doorway. The prisoner was caught a short distance from the shop with the boots in bis possession. Thomas Lindergan deposed to seeing the prisoner lift the boots from the pegs by the shop, and walk away. Witness followed him, and asked him what he was going to do with them. He replied “ to buy them.” Prisoner, in defence, said be had never intended to steal the boots. The Bench—l see you had twopence upon you—did you think that was sufficient. Prisoner—l had sixteen shillings on me at the time, butthepolicesoknockedme about that it fell out of my pocket. For the larceny prisoner was sentenced to fix months’ imprisonment, and for the assault on the constable—which was fully proved—fourteen days. Burglary l —Richard Nixon and Matthew Smith were charged with burglary. Inspector Feast said that he was not prepared to go on with the case then, and would ask for a remand. The prisoners were remanded until Saturday. Passing a Valueless Cheque, and Larceny as a Bailee.—Patrick Gordon was brought up on charges of this nature. Prisoner said he would plerd guilty. The Court remarked that the evidence mud be taken as the cases must go for trial James Burtenshaw, sergeant of police stationed, at Malvern, deposed to arresting the prisoner. He stated at first that that his name was Davies, and not Gordon. He afterwards said he gave himself up and was sorry for what he had done. Witness had presented the cheque produced to all the Banks in Christchurch where the answer was “ no funds.” George Webley deposed he was a cab driver in Christchurch. On Saturday, 13th instant, prisoner went to him in Cathedral Square. He owed witness 10s; he tendered the cheque produced in payment of that 10s, and in exchange witness gave him £3. He made no remark, and witness believed the cheque to be genuine or he would not have given the money. On presenting the cheque the answer was that prisoner was not known, and that he had no account at the Bank. The cheque was drawn on the Union Bank. John Madder Tudbope, clerk in the Union Bank, Christchurch, deposed—There was no such name as the prisoner’s on their books. The prisoner was committed for trial. He was then charged with larceny as a bailee. John Gay, deposed he was a livery stable keeper, in Cashel street. Prisoner went to his place on Saturday, 13th instant. He hired a bay mare, saddle and bridle, which he had never returned. Witness bad given £lB for the mare and £5 5s for the saddle and bridle. Prisoner had no right to dispose of the mare. Dennis O’Callaghan deposed he was a farmer residing at Kaiapoi Island. On Saturday, the 13th, saw the prisoner at the Canterbury Aims. He offered witness a mare for sale. The mare was not branded, and witness bought it, and subsequently the saddle and bridle. Gave him a cheque for £lO for the lot; prisoner gave him the receipt produced. The mare, and saddle and bridle he had seen outside the Court were (be same that he had bought

from the prisoner. Prisoner was committed for trial on this charge also. He was then charged with another offence of a like character. Patrick Graham deposed he was io the employ of Messrs Millet and Saunders. On Sunday the prisoner went to the st-d/es and hired a chesnut mare, saddle and bridle which witness handed over to him. The same were now outside the court. He wa< to return in the afternoon of the same day, but he never went back, and witness next saw the mare in the hands of the police. The mare belonged to Mr Joseph ivlacfarlane, and was in Messrs Millet a>’d Saunders’ charge. The saddle and b’idle belonged to Messrs Millet and Saunders The mare was worth about £2O, and the saddle and bridle about £7, Pri soner had no authority to sell or dispose of the mare or the saddle and bridle. Alexander Humphries deposed he was a saddler at Malvern, Saw the prisoner there on the 16th. He offered witness a chestnut mare and saddle and bridle for sale. He com. plained that the marc was pretty well knocked up, as he had ridden her overland from Dunedin, and that was why he wished to sell her. Witness bought her, giving £6 10a for the lot. Prisoner wrote out a receipt. Prisoner was then fully committed to take his trial on all three charges. Lunacy from Drink John Stotter, originally charged with lunacy, said lo be the result of heavy drinking, was brought up on remand. Evidence was now given that he had quite recovered, and he was discharged. LYTTELTON. (Before W. Donald, Esq, R.M., and H. R. Webb, Esq, J.P.) Refusing to Assist the Police James Snoswell was accused of refusing to assist Constable Watt on Saturday evening when called on to do so in the Queen’s name. Fined 10s. Breach of Public House Ordinance. —John Pierce, of the British Hotel, Lyttelton, was accused of two breaches of the above Ordinance. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for the defendant. Constable Watt gave evidence to the effect that on the 15th of the present mouth, at ten minutes to midnight, he went into the British Hotel, and found several persons standing in front of the bar, one with a glass of liquo' in his hand Constable Moutray corroborated the evidence. After hearing evidence which showed that the liquor was served to a lodger, the Bench dismissed the case. Obstructing the Police— J. Pierce was charged with this offence also; the same two constables were called, and stated that they had to wait several minutes before admittance to the hotel on the night of the 15th. As it appeared from evidence of Mrs Pierce that she had gone to the door when the police knocked, but had not opened for a minute or two, as she was not sure who Was there. The Bench also dismissed this case. [Left sitting.]