MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 651, 20 July 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTOHUROH. Thursday, July 20. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, KM.] Drunk and Disordebly.— Thomas Kennedy, charged with being drunk and resisting the police, was fined 10s and cab hire. An inebriate, for a first offence, was fined ss.

Indecent Exposure.—Jas Kent, brought up on warrant for this offence committed at licathcote, was, at the request of the police, remanded until the 21st.

Horses and Cattle at Large.—For permitting horses and cattle to wander in public thoroughfares, the following persons were each fined 5s :—William Howell, Elizabeth Stevens, John Dollan, and Luke Adams.

Harassing a Horse.—James Cain was charged with driving a horse on the Papanui road on the 28th June, whilejit was suffering from a sore shoulder. Defendant admitted that the shoulder of the horse was galled, but said that the animal did not belong to him. Pined 10s. James Savage, charged with driving on the wrong side of the road, and coming into collision with another person, thereby causMig an accident, was fined 10s, and expense of witness. Creating a Disturbance.—James Keid and George VVebley were charged with creating a disturbance in Cambridge terrace on the 25th June. A second charge of using obscene language was preferred against defendants, tilv Murphy called, stated that about seven o'clock on that Sunday morning he saw defendants from his own window smashing the windows of a house of illfame in Cambridge terrace. They were making use of scandalous language, Webley, who Avas drunk, being the worst of the two. He (witness) went out and asked them

to desist, when they threatened him. They continued this conduct until a constable came. This evidence was corroborated by another witness. Elizabeth Bowen, one of the inmates of the house, gave evidence of the damage done by defendants, and their having come there between six and seven on Sunday morning. Reid was fined £1 10s and Webley £3. Both defendants are cabmen, and his Worship said he would report their conduct to the City Council. A charge of being absent from his cab _ ■on that occasion was then preferred against Reid, and he was fined 103. Breach of City Bye-laws.—William Parker, summoned on two informations for having no light on a hoarding at the junction of Tuam and Colombo streets, was fined 10s in each case. Patrick Sheridan, for driving without sufficient reins, was fined 10s. Joseph Buggy and Charles Collins, for allowing their chimneys to catch on fire, were each fined 10s. Charles Jackson, for a similar offence, was also fined 10s. A charge against John Smithers, for being absent from his horse and cart, was dismissed. _ George Tapling, summoned for having no lights on his cab, was fined 10s. Assault. —William Smith was charged with assaulting W. Walker on the 23rd of June. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. The defendant had been employed by complainant as ploughman, and on the date named had complained about having to plough over some gorse. Some words passed between the parties, and complainant ordered him out of the kitchen. Defendant went outside and was followed by Mr Walker, and, after some further words, defendant threw some bricks at complainant, which knocked him down, inflicting a wound on his head. Defendant, examined by MiThomas, stated that Mr Walker first threatened to kick him out of the kitchen, and when he replied to him, somewhat strongly, he knocked him down and threatened to kill him. He acknowledged throwing the bricks, but it was only in self-defence, and through fear. Several witnesses were examined ; and, after Mr Thomas had addressed the Bench, his Worship said that defendant had no right to have used the language in the first instance, which warranted Mr Walker ordering him out. Defendant had admitted throwing the bricks, and, making every allowance of his having used them through fear, he would inflict a penalty of 403, as the costs would be very heavy. W. F. Warner was summoned for having violently assaulted Alexander Smith. Complainant did not appear. Mr Warner desired to tell his Worship that he was charged with having assaulted a man named Alex. Smith on the 13th of July. He knew nothing whatever of the assault, as he was in Temuka on the day it was said to have been committed. Charge dismissed.

Fighting in the Street. William, Hall, charged with fighting in Manchester street on the 4th of July, was fined 10s.

Breaking a "Window in a Church.— William Lee and Henry Thompson, two little boys, were charged with breaking windows in the Congregational Church. The charge against Thompson was withdrawn as it was shown that though of the same name, it was a case of mistaken identity. Mr 8. C. Farr stated that between seven and half-past seven on last Sunday evening he heard a stone thrown through a window of the church. He was near the door and ran out and caught the boy Lee who was running away at the time. As the windows were stained glass, they could not be replaced here. The father of the boy who was in Court, said that his son denied having had anything to do with throwing the stone. He told him that he, Fred West, Harry West and Harry Thompson were standing outside the church, and the latter said that if Fred West would go inside, he would throw a stone through the window. He shortly afterwards threw the stone and then ran away. Mr Farr said he would like his Worship to adjourn the case, so that all the boys named might be brought up. His Worship consented to this; course, and adjourned the case for a week. Using Insulting Language. Arthur McMahon was summoned for using insulting language to Constable Lonegan while on duty. It was shown that defendant, who had been dismissed from the police force, had since that time been in the habit of making insulting remarks to the-men on the various beats. Fined 10s.

LYTTELTON. Thursday, July 20. (Before VV. Donald, Esq. R.M.) Civil Cases.—Theodore Christophal v Husband ; claim £5. This was a case adjourned for production of evidence from Thursday, 13th inst. Judgment for £5, with costs 17s ; witness's expenses, 10a -, solicitor's fee, 21s. McQuilkin v Mabar ; claim £7 10s, for board and lodging. Judgment for plaintiff by default ; costs 13s.