MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 752, 16 November 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, November 16. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, 8.M.) Hurting a Cow. —The adjourned case against,Peter Kerr and John Lilly for hurting a cow was called on. A witness called stated that on October 21st he saw a cow attached to a spring cart, by a rope, near the Oxford Hotel. The cow was pulling back, and the horse was pulling her. The rope was attached to the animal’s horns. Near the Victoria bridge the cow fell down, apparently from weakness, and she was dragged along the road for a little while. This evidence was corroborated by another witness. Fined 10s each and 8s expense of witnesses.

Breach op Publichousk Ordinance.— George Lloyd, licensee of the City Hotel, was summoned for keeping his house open and selling drink on the 6tb and 6th instant, and also with obstructing the constable Mr Thomas appeared for the defendant. Sergeant Beck stated that early on the morning of the 6th, he went into the house by the back door and saw two men there. The bar was open at the time, and he saw two men drinking, and both of them acknowledged having been served by the barman. A witness named Haldane admitted having drink in the house that morning. Did not pay for the drink, but believed his mate did. Fined £5 and 10a coat of witness. The case of the 6th instant was then gone into. Sergeant Wilson said that’at twenty minutes past S o’clock he heard some persons in the bar of the hotel. He knocked at the front door, and heard footsteps walking through the house towards the back. Some person answered when he knocked, but five minutes had elapsed before he was admitted, when the bar was empty. Why he had knocked was that the constable was off his beat for some time, and he had learnt that he was in the hotel. Constable Reilly called, stated that he went into the hotel at a quarter past twelve that night, and left at about a quarter past three. He had a drink while he was there, and paid for it. In reply to the Bench, Inspector Buckley said that the constable had been already punished for being off his beat that night. Fined £5 for selling drink, and £2 for obstructing the police. No Lamp Alight. For neglecting to keep their lamp alight, John Fox was fined 10s, and Peter Pryde a similar amount. DisordbrltJHousb.— Wm. Simmonds was charged with permitting prostitutes in bis licensed house, the Warrick Hotel. Constable Creighton stated that on the night of the 80th October he saw six well-known prostitutes and about thirty men behaving themselves in a very rowdy manner. There was music being played, and the men and women were dancing and making a very great noise. The women were running in and out of the house. Inspector Buckley said very numerous complaints were lately being made about this house, aad a respectable woman could not pass there at night tfme, so bad was the conduct that was permitted there. Defendant said his place was a very difficult one to manage, as he had so many rough upcountry men constantly staying there. Fined «6.

Abusive Language.—Albert Hawkin, E. J. Hawkin, Mark Hawkin, and W, H. Strange were charged with using abusive language towards Peter Harris. Mr Joynt appeared for complainant, and Mr Thomas for defendants. From the evidence it appeared that all the parties live at the Styx, and a sister of complainant’s was married on the 25th October, and on the afternoon of that cay a party was being held in a tent, which was filled with visitors, some of them females, when Albert Hawkins came there with tin cans without being invited, but received refreshment. Afterwards he and a boy commenced to poke sticks through the tent, and on being remonstrated with used abusive language in the hearing of the females. They were both put off the premises, and afterwards returned with the other defendants and some more men. They recommenced their annoyance, and on being spoken to, used very improper language, which was heard by those in the tent, and they also wanted to fight. Albert Hawkins and the boy Gulliver were the worst, and Strange, who seemed to be under the influence of liquor, also wanted to fight. Defendants and complainant had not been on very friendly terms for some time previous to this, but the Misses Hawkins had been invited. In cross-examina-tion the witness said that after Thomas Frame had put Albert Hawkins out, Robert Frame struck him one blow, through his having used very bad language and challenging him to fight, and complainant touched the boy Gulliver with his knee. None of the persons present had challenged Albert Hawkins to fight, and when Edward Hawkins came at night time he had come to get I atisfaction on his brother’s account. Robert Frame, in his evidence, admitted having struck Albert Hawkins after he had used improper language, and called him a coward. When the men returned, they cams armed with sticks. Albert Hawkins, called by Mr Thomas, stated that he and the boy Gulliver went to complainants place to say his sisters could not come. They had a drink, and afterwards the boy Gulliver lifted one portion of the tent when the Frames came out and three of them set on him, and Robert Frame struck him on Mr Harris's ground. He had given them no provocation whatever. A case of assault against Peter Harris, was preferred by James Gulliver, This witness, who is fifteen years of age, said that after he had had a drink of whiskey or brandy that afternoon, he was looking into the tent when three men came out and attacked him, and one of them carried him out. In cross-examination the witness said that he was not a champion light weight, but came back with the other men that night because the Frames had issued a challenge. This evidence was denied altogether by E. Cutts, who was present at the time. Mr Thomas, in addressing the Bench for his clients, regretted their foolishness in going back the second time. They felt very sorry for having done so, and he was instructed that Mr Strange had been on the road, when he very foolishly consented to go down with the others. After Mr Joynt had addres; ed the Bench, dwelling particularly on the bad language used, and the fact of some of the defendants going a second time, and subsequent conduct on their part which had prevented the case being withdrawn, his Worship said he would impose a fine of 60s on Mark Hawkins, who ought to be heartily ashamed of himself for the language he had used. Albert Hawkins would be fined 40*. and it was a pity that Borne of the men did not give him a good thrashing for bis conduct in going back un-

vited, and challenging them to fight, B. J. Hawkins would be fined 10s. and the charge against Strange dismissed. Defendants would also hare to pay professional fee and costs.

Assaults. —Alick Johnston and Charles Johnston were charged with beating Jane Johnston. Complainant stated on the evening of the 13th instant she went home from her washing, and after a few words about the kettle not being boiled, her brother Alick struck her and pulled her hair, and her husband afterwards struck her. A daughter of complainant’s corroborated this evidence. Alick Johnston was fined 40s, and the case against the other defendant was dismissed, |as it was shown that he was only trying to go between complainant and her brother. Isabella Leckie, summoned for assaulting Jane Butler, and breaking six panes of glass, was fined 10s. and ordered to pay damage 9s. John Olsen was charged with assaulting Martha Frisk, at Heathcote Valley, on 2nd November. Complainant stated that on that date she was going across defendant’s place for water, by permission of the landlord, when he called after her, and afterwards struck her and called her bad names. Defendant said he had warned complainant before not to cross his garden, and he had only pushed the woman gently, but she struck him with a bucket, and her husband also struck him. His Worship told complainant she bad no right to trespass on defendant’s place, the case would be dismissed. Reeubing to Support a Mother.— John Barrie and George Barrie, the latter about twelve years of age, were summoned for failing to support their mother, Christina Barrie. Mr Thomas appeared for defendants. < ’omplainant stated that her husband had left her for over two years. From that time her sons had contributed towards her support, and they had some words when she left them and came to Christchurch for a few weeks for pleasure. Since then they had refused to give her anything. After coming to town she found she could not support herself and other three children, and she went back to see them, but they refused to give her anything; If she had any help she could get on. After she left Eangiora her boys went to live at the flax mill. She had had a lodger living with her before she came to town. In reply to the Bench, the eldest boy said he was earning 5s a day and and his little brother 12s a week. John Barrie, called by Mr Thomas, said he had not quarelled with his mother, but with the lodger, for some misconduct on his part. When his mother left she took some boxes and other things away with her. He was then obliged to sell the remainder of the things and go and live in a whare, as he could not afford to pay rent. He had always given his mother every copper of his wages before she left. The elder defendant was ordered to pay 6s a week to the clerk of the bench at Bangiora. Stealing Flowers —Mary Carter, Eliza Carter, and Alice Carter were charged with stealing flowers from the Domain Gardens. The case was withdrawn against Alice Carter, Mr Armstrong stated that on the 6th instant he saw two of the defendants stoop and pick some flowers in the gardens ; one had a Maori kit and the other a bag. When he went to them he saw they had the flowers and some plants in their possession, A large number of valuable flowers and plants had lately been taken out of the gardens. Alice Carter called, stated that it was not her mother and sister-in-law who had picked the flowers, with the exception of one lupin, which her sister picked. It was her little neice. who had plucked the flowers. A bow fell off her head, and her mother stooped to pick it up. Mrs Mary Carter said she had not picked any of the flowers, it was her grandchild who had done so. Mr Armstrong told his Worship that he saw that lady pick some flowers, and be accused her at the time of having done so. He did not desire to press the charge, but wished to put a stop to the petty thefts that daily occurred at the gardens. Mrs Eliza Carter said she had only picked one lupin, and had rooted up a plant near the well with her parasol, which she considered to be worthless. His Worship said he would dismiss the case, but defendants must see that by taking these lowers, which might be valuable though they did not consider them to be so they were placing themselves in a very embarrassing position. Cases dismissed.

PROTECTION OHDEBB—Mrs Jane Lane obtained a protection order against her husband, Fredk Lane, and defendant was also ordered to pay 40s weekly towards the support of his wife and children, complainant to have charge of the them. Eliza Cook applied for a similar order against her husband Herman Cook. After hearing evidence, his Worship said he would let the matter stand over for a week to allow of some enquiries being made. Miscellaneous.— Thomas Pengelly was charged with throwing a stone after a ’bus in High street on 4th November. The boy said that another boy had knocked off his hat, and he threw a stone after him. His Worship dismissed the case, but admonished defendant, William Olarke, charged with letting off fireworks in High street, was fined 10s. Edward Plank, for riding furiously on the Sumner beach was fined 10s. A case against Edward Garland, for allowing four head of cattle to wander on the railway line near Hillsborough was dismssed. George Faulkner, charged with committing a nuisance in public at the Prebbleton station, was fined 20a. LYTTELTON. Thursday, November 16. Breach of Public House Ordinance. —The case against A. H. Hardecke for supplying liquor on Sunday, November 6th, adjourned from yesterday, was resumed. Constable Sweeny, a witness for the defence, denied that any beer was served on Sunday, the sth, to his knowledge, except two quarts at dinner time to the boarders. William Atchison, a boarder, also swore that he saw no beer served and no cards or dice played. Case dismissed. Civil Cases. —King and Co v Roberts, claim £7 15s 3d ; judgment by default with costs 13s. Cole v George, claim £6 14s 2d ; Mr H. N, Nalder for plaintiff; judgment by confession, costs 9s, ordered to pay 10s per week. Rutter v Ford, claim £6 5s ;Mr H. N. Nalder for defendant; case adjourned till Saturday.