MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 639, 6 July 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday, July 6. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, E.M.) Breach of Railway Tolls Act. —The adjourned case against William Wyatt, for acting as conductor at the railway statiou without an authority, was called. It was shown that defendant, though now in possession of an authority from the railway authorities, was not so when the information was laid against him. Fined 10a. Larceny from a Till.— John Carter was charged on remand with stealing £5 from the till at Barrett’s Hotel on Tuesday last. Accused was seen by the barman on that day lying across the counter with the till open, and a paper parcel in his hand. The barman followed and caught him, and when searched the money was found on him. In reply to the Bench accused admitted stealing the money, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Assaults. —Christopher Dalwood appeared to answer the charge of having assaulted John F. Gillias on the 30th Complainant had been in defendant’s employ, and on that day was told to go for some horses. As the weather was very bad he did not go, and was told by defendant to clear out. He afterwards went to look for them, and because he used a horse that had been worked hard the day before, defendant assaulted him with a supple jack. Defendant in his evidence said that complainant was under the influence of liquor that day, had “ steeplechased ” a tired horse, and was so drunk that he fell on the floor of the stable. He would swear that he did not strike the man. His Worship said the evidence was so conflicting that he would adjourn the case for a week for further evidence. Thomas Gabites was charged with assaulting R. B. Marshall at Fendalltown on the 30th June. Mr H. H. Loughnan appeared for complainant. The assault had been a most trivial one, and had originated through complainant asking in a certain manner that night for a piece of butcher’s meat, which defendant thought to be objectionable, and struck him a blow, when they both went down together. His Worship thought the squabble had been a very foolish one, and dismissed the case. Selwyn Davies was summoned for assaulting Peter Bunuey on the 28th June. Complainant had gone to defendant’s store in the Ferry road on that night to get a loaf of bread. The store was closed, and complainant knocked rather loud. then came round from the back and,, struck him violently k in the face, kaocEng him down,

and using very abusive language. Tha assault was seen by a witness passing at the time, who stated that it was a most scandalous assault, as the man seemed to be senseless after he was knocked down. His Worship told defendant that his conduct had been most disgraceful and unjustifiable, and inflicted a fine of 40s and cost of witness. R. C. Mills was charged with violently assaulting his wife, Harriett Mills, on the 4th of July. Mrs Mills, who bore marks of violence on her face, stated that since they had been married her husband had constantly assaulted her and frequently turned her out of the house. She would ask his Worship to bind him over to keep the peace, and also to grant her a protection order for her earnings, as he was in the habit of taking everything she acquired. The marks she then bore on her face had been inflicted by her husband. His Worship bound defendant over in one surety of £25, and himself in £SO, to keep the peace for twelve months, and also granted complainant an order for the protection of her earnings. Using Abusive and Threatening Language.—George Osborne was summoned for using abusive and threatening language to William Simmonds, on the 29th of June. Mr Thomas appeared for the complainant. The offence had been occasioned about a trotting match, which took place at Riccarton on that day. Defendant had backed a horse to the extent of £230,. and had subsequently learned that the match was a swindle, it having been previously arranged that the mare was to win. He then went round among the crowd and cautioned the people against backing the horse, and used the language complained of, Complainant, in his evidence, stated that Osborne was constantly in the habit of annoying him with a view of getting him to fight. Mr Thomas asked that defendant might be bound over to keep the peace. His Worship ordered defendant to find one surety in £2O, and himself in like amount, to keep the peace for twelve months. Destitute Persons’ Relief Ordinance.—William Foley was ordered to pay 10s towards the support of His father.