MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 608, 31 May 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, May 30. [Before G. L. Mellish. Esq, R.M., and G. L. Lee, Esq., J. P.] Civil Cases.—R. h-athome v P. Palmer, claim Ls ; judgment for amount claimed and costs 9s. Superintendent of Canterbury by Eaßt Cbri9tchurch Education District v G. Wood, claim £2 ; judgment by default for amouDt claimed and costs 9s. H. Rogers v A. Kerr, claim £8 ls 8d ; judgment by default for amount claimed and costs 13s. E. Stokell vF. Peiper, claim £2; judgment for amount claimed and costs 9s. A. T. W. Bradwell v A. Hood, claim £3 12s 2d ; judgment by default for amount claimed and costs 9s. W. Thomson v W.Storer, claim £6 7s ; plaintiff nonsuited with costs 16s. F. Fisher vO. G. Ross, claim £2 13s ; judgment by default for amount claimed and costs 9s. H. P. Brake y G. Dell, claim £5 13s lOd ; judgment by default for amount claimed and coats 13s.

Wednesday, May 31. (Before G. L. Lee, Esq, J.P.) Deunk and Disorderly.—William Cody was fined 20s, being an old offender. John Knott (on bail), who acknowledged his fault, was ordered to pay 10s. William James Falson, who said he had been to "see a friend off," was fined 10s. Ellen Talbot, a dissipated-looking woman, who had before been "in trouble]" of this nature on many occasions, was sent to prison for three months, and an inebriate for a first offence was fined ss.

Larceny.—James Davis was charged ■with stealing a silver watch from the person of John Rogers, of Timaru. Prisoner said the watch was given to him, and he had witnesses to prove it. Eemanded to Timaru. Arson.—Joseph Catchpole was brought up on a charge of wilfully and maliciouslyhaving set fire to the Burnham Hotel on the night of the 19th of May. Mr Joynt appeared for the prisoner. Inspector Feast stated that an inquiry had been held on the previous day on the hotel in question, and an open verdict returned; but he had, from the suspicious nature of the whole affair, thought it his duty to have the prisoner apprehended. He was not, however, prepared to go into the case at once, and would therefore ask for a remand. Mr Joynt objected to any remand being granted, unless some evidence were taken, or the accused was out on bail. Inspector Feast stated that the witnesses were all at Burnham, and could not be in attendance that day. Mr Joynt said if the accused were liberated on bail, he had no objection to the remand being granted. Inspector Feast observed that it was a serious matter, and he did not think bail should be taken. Mr Joynt said he should certainly apply to the Supreme Court if it were refused. The Court would not be inclined to refuse bail, it was only a question of amount. After some further discussion, the prisoner was remanded for a week, bail being taken for his appearance —himself in £2OO, and two sureties in £IOO each.

LYTTELTOfc. Wednesday, May 31. [Before W. Donald, Esq, 8.M.1 Drunkenness—James Cunningham, Jo'm Lewis, and Bobert Vivall were fined 10s each for this offence, or in default fortyeight hours' imprisonment. Vagrancy.—George Bice was charged with this offence. From evidence it appeared that prisoner had been going to tradesmen in Lyttelton, asking for goods, and taking them away without payment. As it was proved that he had committed similar offences in Ohristcburch, and gave signs of aberation of intellect,the Bench remanded him for medical examination.

LARCENY. —John Lewis, who had been arrested for drunkenness, was also charged with having stolen a church service and some clothing, the property of Mr Jennings. The evidence showed that the prisoner was a fellow seaman to the prosecutor, both belonging to the ship Euterpe. Accused left his ship on Tuesday morning, and shortly afterwards prosecutor missed some cloihes and other things from his chest. He did not give leave to prisoner to take things. Constable Daley said he arrested prisoner, and on searching him found articles produced, viz, some clothes and a church service. As there were some other clothes which had evidently been sold missing, the prisoner was remanded that evidence of the sale of the goods might be procured, Case remanded till Saturday. William Blackmore was charged with attempting to steal some money from the t:' 11 of Mr McQuilkin, of the Railway Hotel, Lyttelton. Constable Daley proved arresting prisoner in London street, as he was running away, the alarm having teen given that he had robbed McQuilkin's till, When wrested

prisoner had no boots on ; they were after* wards found in front of the bar where he had been sitting. Mrs McQuilkin said she saw prisoner in the bar on Tuesday afternoon ; he had some drinks there ; going cut of the bar for a minute she heard a uoiso a the till, and going baek say prisoner jumping over the counter. She tried to prevent prisoner leaving the house and gave thp alarm, but he got away from her, she picked up two £1 notes and half a sovereign he had dropped on the floor. He had his boots off at the time. The notes and half sovereign were in the Jtill when she left the bar. TbeJßench sentenced accused to three months' imprisonment with hard labor. Vagrancy. Tom, an Arabian, was charged with this offence. Constable Watt stated he found accused sleeping on Peacock's Wharf in a shed. Accused, who conld not speak English, told the Court, through an interpreter, that he came to Lyttelton in the Island City barque from Newcastle, and that the captain left him behind. He was not on the ship's articles. Had been a fireman on board P. and O. Co's boats, and had been left in Sydney. His Worship gave the man assistance in money from the " Poor Box," and some gentlemen in the Court also contributed towards providing him with food and lodging till a vessel could be found to take him to some port where he would be likely to get employment.