MAGISTRATES' COURTS

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 603, 25 May 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS

CHRISTCHUKCH,

Thursday, May 25. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esci, R.M.) Drunkennkss,— Henry Niven charged with this offence, and righting on the racecourse was fined 20s. Three other inebriates for keeping the Queen's Birthday too hilariously were fined, two of them ss, and the third 20s, and ordered to pay the value of some glass he had smashed. Assault.—John Pourford was charged with assaulting Elizabeth Stewart. Mr Thomas, who appeared for the defendant, said an apology had been tendered and refused. The' complainant deposed that; the assault had arisen through the defendant moving some wooden fixtures off land belonging to her. She depos d that defendant had first struck her husband when his back was turned, and that on her remonstrating he also struck her in the mouth and bosom. Defendant was fined £3 and costs.

Another Assault. —William Sutton was charged with beating and assaulting A. Ashford. The dispute in this instance appeared to have arisen out of the " fowl nuisance," and the parties aggrived were, as is usual in such cases, neighbours. There was a kiud of cross-action, Sarah Ashworth, one of the family, and Henry Knowles, her son, were charged with using threatening and abusive language towards William Sutton. In this case also the dispute had arisen through fowls. The last ?a3 dismissed, and in the first case W. Sutton was fined 10s.

Failing to Support his Wife. —Noah Symons was charged with neglecting to obey the order of the Court to contribute 15s a week towards his wife's support. Defendant said he had not the money. He had only been able to pay one 15s. The Bench asked him. where he had applied for work He replied, " All about town." There were hundreds of men walking about doing nothing as well as him. The Court adjourned the case for a week, remarking that unless defendant took some steps to procure his wife some money in the meantime, he would be sent to prison. Maintainance. —John Kane came up on remand. His wife had applied for a protection order and maintenance. The Bench asked if any arrangement had been arrived at. Defendant said they had not been able to come to any settlement, and it must be left to the Couit to fix the amount of allowance money. Defendant was ordered to pay 30s a week towards his wife and family's support. Slaughter House Licences. —The followinging slaughter house licenses were granted there being no objection :—F. J. Carter, Green park ; James Eaturn, Springs district, J. Wheeler, Tapu; T. Gabbotes, Lincoln; Henderson Mcßeath, Spreydon district ; James Wright, Riccarton ; John Gunn, Malvern ; Thomas Henry Henry, Malvern ; William Bashford, Courtney, and J. Watt, Belfast factory. LYTTELTON. Thursday, May 25. [Before W. Donald, Esq, R.M.] LARCENY. —Robert Sempher was charged with stealing a gold ring, value 16s 6d, the property of James Gould. Constable Watt, sworn, said—From information I received yesterday morning I went to the British Hotel, where I saw the prisoner, and told him he was suspected of stealing a gold ring now in Court; I then arrested him. James Gould said he was lodging in Pearson's boarding house on Tuesday night, and s'ept in the same room as prisoner ; the next morning when he got up he left a ring on the table, during the time he was washing, and left the house without taking it away ; when he came back, a short time afterwards, he found it gone ; he then told Mr Pearson, and they went to the British Hotel where they saw the prisoner; they then went back with constable Watt, who found the ring in his possession Did not know prisoner, and never authorised him to take the ring. Robert Pearson, boardinghouse keeper, gave evidence corroborating the last witness. The prisoner in defence said he did not take the ring with any dis honest intention. The Bench sentenced him to fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour. Civil Cases.—Estate of John M'Donald v W. Webb, claim 16s. Mr H. N. Nalder for plaintiff : judgment confessed, costs, 17s. Same v Isherwood, claim £l 163 6d, balance of account; judgment for plaiutiff with costs. Chalmers v Ferdinand, judgment summons, claim 163 ; defendant ordered to pay amount by Monday morning, or in default fourteen days' imprisonment. Weatlake v Davidson, judgment summons, claim, £3(5 6a 3d. Mr Nalder appeared for plaiutiff Defendant ordered to make immediate payment, or in default, two months' imprisonment.