MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 679, 23 August 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, august 23, (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly.—John Jordan, charged with being drunk and using obscene language, was fined 20s. An inebriate, who appeared for the first time, and was suffering from the effects, was remanded to Lyttelton for eight days. William Grant, for drunkenness and using obscene language, was fined 60s. Maurice Fitzpatrick, for drunkenness, was fined 10s. Soliciting Alms.—Peter Thompson was charged under the Vagrant Act with soliciting alms from several residents in Oxford terrace. Mrs Shirtcliffe stated that accused called at her house the previous day, and asked for some coppers. He said he had only lately come out of the hospital. Other evidence was given that accused had called at several houses in Oxford terrace and begged for food. Accused, in reply to the Bench, said that he had been in the hospital unwell for some time. He was obliged to lie out for two nights, and could not get work, and had been compelled to ask for a little bread. There were previous convictions against accused, aud he was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Embezzlement. Francis B, Maning, charged on remand with this offence, was further remanded until Thursday. Larceny.—Edmund Hastie, a late member of the police force, was brought up charged with stealing two gold studs, the property of Sergeant Coleman. Whan arrested by Sergeant Pratt, accused said he had told Coleman where he got them. Sergeant John Coleman, called, stated — That he is living at the Christchurch Police Depot. About the 23rd July last he had occasion to go to his box, and missed two plain gold shirt studs with a crescent on the back. He made enquiries from the mounted men in the room, and subsequently learnt from one of the detectives that accused was wearing similar studs. Afterwards witness saw accused in the yard, and after some conversation, and when he (witness) produced the third stud, accused said he had them, and had found them in the yard. He then gave them up to him. Had kept the studs in a small box in the corner of his large box in the room. Valued the two studs at 15s. The box was not kept locked, and accused used to come into the room, as some of the other footmen were in the habit of doing. In answer to accused witness said that he (accused) had told him he had found them in the yard, and gave them up to him at once. Inspector Buckley told his Worship that there was a second charge against accused of stealing a pair of drawers, and in the absence of a witness at Lyttelton, he would ask for a remand until next day. His Worship granted the remand, and said he would hold over the first charge also until the second bad been heard. Breach op Destitute Persons Act.— John Jordan was charged, on summons, with refusing to contribute towards the support of his aged mother. Mrs Jordan, who spoke the Celtic language, which was interpreted by Mr O’Malley, stated that about a fortnight ago the defendant turned her out of doors, and would not allow her into the house. She had a second son in Dunedin, who had sent her money, with which she had purchased a section of ground and built a house on it, which was occupied by defendant, who bad the deeds of the property made out in his name. She would like to sell the property and get back tne money she had paid if she could. His Worship ordered defendant to pay 10a weekly towards his mother’s support. Bestiality. William Haynes was brought up on a charge of this nature, said to have been committed at Riccarton on the 17th of Jane last. Mr Izard appeared for accused. After evidence had been taken, his Worship committed the accused for trial at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court.