MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 728, 19 October 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, October 19, {Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M., and C. P. Cox, Esq., J.P.) Drunkenness. —John Taylor was lined ss, and Edward Stewart 10s, for this offence. Furious Driving, John Smith was charged with furious driving and creating a disturbance. Defendant was fined 40s, as also was a man named Jordan, who was creating a disturbance. Cab Racing. —Charles Crease was charged with having raced the driver of another cab for a fare. The case arose out of the late accident in Cathedral Square. The evidence of a cabman named De Jersey, and a witness named Denny, was taken to prove the offence. His Worship said the evidence proved that there was no fare at all, and therefore he would give the defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the case. He did not think the Council could prevent two drivers leaving the stand, nor interfere until a dispute arose between the drivers as to a fare. Breach oe City Bye-Laws.—The following penalties were indicted :—Dupre, 5s ; B. Gallagan, ss. Furious Riding. —Andrew Purvis was charged with furious riding on the North road. The defendant admitted the offence. Mr Mellish gave evidence as to the reckless way in which the defendant rode along the road, and deposed to the defendant being very abusive and violent to himself when spoken to. Fined 20s, and witnesses expenses. Mr Mellish placed his expenses in the poor box. James Wood, for a similar od'ence on Sumner beach, was tiued 10s. Breach of Dog Ordinance. —James Chambers, for having an unregistered dog, was fined 20s. Breach of Publichouse Ordinance.— Samuel Treleaven, was charged with having supplied intoxicating liquors to Andrew Purvis, he being intoxicated. There were also two other charges for supplying liquor to other than travellers or lodgers, and keeping his house open during prohibited hours. His Worship, after hearing evidence, dismissed the case. Elijah Gadd was fined 10s for neglecting to keep a light burning over his licensed house at the Valley. John Wesley Smith was lined 10s for a similar offence. Breach of Prevention of Fire Ordinance. —M. Goodger was charged with obstructing the fire brigade in the discharge of their duty. John Burbery deposed that on the Ist of October the defendant drove over the hose with his hansom cab, and

obstructed the fireman. Mr Superintendent Harris stated that the brigade were frequently interrupted by cabmen. The defendant was fined 40s. A. MeTaggart was charged with a similar offence. Mr Superintendent Harris deposed that on the Ist October the defendant drove across the hose with his cab, and when remonstrated with, made use of abusive language. The couplings of the hose was broken, but the brigade had no wish to press for damages. His Worship fined the defendant 40s. Abusive Language. — H. Clifford pleaded “ Guilty” to using abusive language towards J. H. Hancock, at Newtown. The Court fined defendant 10s, and costs of one witness ss. The latter was placed in the poor-box. Breach of Road Board Ordinance. — J. Horler was charged with having obstructed the Ferry road, by placing a verandah so as to project over the footpath. The defendant admitted the charge, and his Worship adjourned the case for a week to enable the defendant to remove the obstruction. J. H. Hopkins was Charged with a similar offence. Mr Bamford appeared for the defendant. Edwin Wadman, clerk to the Heathcote Road Board, deposed that the verandah of the defendant’s shop encroached on the footpath. In 1869 a resolution was passed giving Mr Hopkins permission to erect the verandah, under the supervision of the surveyor. Mr Bamford took objection to the case, inasmuch as the footpath had not been proclaimed in the Gazette after its widening. The information was also bad, as it was laid under the Roads Ordinance, which did not apply, inasmuch as the sections of that Ordinance applied only to unauthorised erections. Now the Board had given the defendant permission to do the work, hence the information could not lie. His W orship held with Mr Bamford that the information was bad, and he would dismiss the case. Mr Bamford applied for expenses of bis witnesses. His Worship refused to allow these.

Protection of Earnings.— Sarah Mitchell applied for the protectiou of her earnings against her husband, James Mitchell. The defendant had failed to support his wife for the past five months, and she had never received any money from him during that time. In January, when the separation was arranged, the defendant had given her £SO; but of this he afterwards got away £25 from her. She had been endeavoring to support herself and her children for the past five months. His Worship made an order protecting the wife’s earnings, and ordering the defendant to pay 20s per week for the support of his wife and family. Disturbing Public Worship, — Henry Butler was charged with having on the 15th instant thrown stones at the door of the Wesleyan Church, Knightstown, during service. Mr Wynn Williams appeared for the defence. The evidence was to the effect that the defendant was caught outside the church on Sunday evening when stones were thrown at the door. He told the person who caught him that he knew who threw the stones, but he would not get his mates into trouble. There were three lads running down the road, one of whom was the defendant. When the defendant was caught he threatened to do for one of the witnesses. Defendant told the witnesses that he knew who threw the stones, but he would not tell. For the defence William Henley was called, who deposed to being in the Church grounds on the evening when the stone was thrown. The defendant did not throw a stone into the porch. He was positive of this. The case was dismissed with a strong caution to the larrikins of the neighborhood. His Worship said that steps would be taken to afford police protection to the district. Affiliation, James Douglas was charged with neglecting to support his illegitimate child, of which Elizabeth Jobin -was the mother. Mr Thomas appeared for the defence. After hearing the evidence of the complainant the Bench adjourned the case for a week, to allow of confirmatory evidence being brought. Mr Thomas strongly protested against his dint being brought down a long distance to answer a charge which was, on the evidence adduced, utterly unsupported. stealing Post Letters.— T. H. Knibbs was brought up on remand, charged with this offence. Jehu Neil deposed that, from information received, he went to the Post office on Saturday last. Two letters were placed in Box 37, and witness remained inside the office to watch the box. Shortly after 6 p.m on Monday the letters were there still. He watched the box until five minutes past eight on that day. The prisoner then came to the box and abstracted the two letters. Witnrsa then accosted prisoner, and ultimately arrested him on a charge of stealing two letters from box 37 at the Post-office. He said, “ Oh, you have made a mistake this time, I made a mistake for J. T. Fisher’s box. Oh, don’t expose me.” Witness took prisoner into a side room in the Post-office, where be found the two letters produced, also a bunch of keys, amongst them a skeleton key. One of the keys unlocked and locked the door leading to the private boxes. Witness examined box 37 shortly before he saw prisoner there, and itwaslocked. Mr James John Fitzgibbon, Chief Postmaster for the Province, deposed that in consequence of what came to his knowledge on Friday last, he marked two letters and placed Ihem in box No 37. These two were removed on Saturday morning by some person, they were addressed to Mr H. J. Hall, box 37 After this, witness communicated with the police and marke d the other letters. Tbo r e produced were the same They were stamped and placed in box 37, where he saw them afterwards. Mr 11. J. Hall, of iiiVcartuo, < 9 the leasee of box No 37, There shou'd be only one key to that box ; the key of )L was iu my pocket on Saturday. The prisoner had no authority from witness to remove any letters from the boxes, He had no box, nor had ho any right there. Letters, before taken from the box by those to whom they are addressed, are the property of the Postmaster-General. Henry Joseph Hail deposed to renting box 37 ac the Post office, Christchurch, For the last three months lie bad not received any of his English letters, On Friday night last he had given up the key of his box to the chief clerk at his private residence. Wit; e s had not taken any letters out of the box since he gave up the key. ,He had not authorised the prisoner to take any letters out of the box The two letters produced had never been in his possession. Frederick Joseph Fuchs deposed that ho was employed by Mr Thomas Richard Proctor, jeweller. The prisoner was employed there also. They both used one workshop. Witness saw prisoner doing something to a key about four days ago. The key produced is the one. The prisoner was filing it, This closed the

case. The prisoner, who said nothing, was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court. Coining. —The same prisoner was charged with this offence. Mr Inspector Feast deposed that on Tuesday last he went to the lodgings of the prisoner. Under the bed in the room of the pri soner he found the die produced made for the manufacture of fiorinsor two-shillings pieces. The counterfeit two-shilling piece produced was taken from the pockets of a pair of trousers belonging to the prisoner. Witness subsequently took possession of the box produced, in which he found the two counterfeit florins shown. There were also two bottles containing quicksilver and acid. Quicksilver was used by coiners for polish ing off. A. quantity of white metal was also found, as well as copper plates. Annie Robinson deposed to the prisoner residing with her. On Tuesday last witness wenv. with Inspector Feast to the bedroom occupied by prisoner. The box produced was at the foot of prisoner’s bed. The clothes hanging behind the door belonged to prisoner. The room was empty until prisoner came, and no one slept there but him. The box produced was not there prior to prisoner coming to lodge at witness' house. Detective Neil deposed to finding the counterfeit florin produced in the pocket of a pair of trousers in the bedroom, pointed out as occupied by prisoner, Frederick Joseph Fuchs gave evidence as to seeing the dies produced in possession of the prisoner at the workshop. Witness saw them often. Prisoner hit them with a hammer. Witness was certain as to the dies being .he same he bad seen in the prisoner’s possession. Tbo prisoner, who made no defence, Mas com m tted for trial at the- next session of the Supreme Court.