MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 781, 21 December 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, December 20, (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.) Fighting. —Margaret Clarke and Mary Maule were charged with fighting in High street. It was shown that Clarke was the aggressor, and the Bench fined her 10s and cab-hire. The case against Maule was dismissed. Drunk and Disorderly.— Joseph Kingston, for being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart, was fined 10s. Lawrence Ryan, charged with drunkenness, was fined 10s. ; Vagrancy. —Henry Russell, with two aliases, was charged with being an idle disorderly character. Evidence was given that accused constantly frequented houses of illfame, and was the associate of theives and other bad characters. He had also been present when robberies were committed in above houses. Accused pleaded hard to be given one more chance, when he would leave the Elace, and the Bench gave him twenty-four ours to clear out. Gertrude Burgess, a young girl nineteen years of age, was charged on remand with this offence. Some fowls had been found in her possession, which she tried to sell, and her statements as to where she had obtained them, and also as to her relations, were found to be untrue. His Worship further remanded the case. Horses and Cattle at Large.— For permitting horses and cattle to wander at large, the following persons were each fined 5s James Bentley, Henry Knowles, W. H, Mein, W. Viney, Charles Lewis, W. S. Willis, John Tetley, H. Milsom, G. S. Simpson, Austin Taipey, J. Spensley, John Cuff, James Butcher, Thomas Hickling, George Clarke, James Rosser, and James Heard; D. Howard, on two informations, was fined 10s.

Miscellaneous Offences. —For tethering horses in thoroughfares, J. G, Hart, S. Lawrence, and Luke Adams, were each fined 10s. For breaking a horse in Hereford street, James Wood was fined 10s. David Girder was summoned for obstructing a thoroughfare, by removing a house during prohibited hours. . It was shown that the detention had been caused by an accident, and the Bench dismissed the case. Charles Oswald, for a similar offence, and also with not placing a light upon the building in course of removal, was fined £l. For not being in attendance on their horse and cab, John Dalwood and E, D. Gneray were each fined 10s. For furiously driving a horse and vehicle along the North road, Richard Bowen was fined 20s. For driving without sufficient reins, Walter Hartnell was fined 10s. Frederick Gwatkin, summoned for allowing two dogs to stray in the park; was fined 10s and cost of witness. Breach of Publichouse Ordinance.— John Carl, summoned for keeping open hia licensed house, the Empire Hotel, on 10th December, and with selling drink during prohibited hours, was fined £5. Larceny from Drink.— David Campbell, who had been remanded on this charge from Leeston, and had recovered, was brought up and discharged. Disobeying an Order.— Joseph Lloyd was charged with having failed to comply •with an order of the Court to contribute 12s Eer week towards the support of his wife, •efendant said he had now paid up to the previous day, and asked that the amount, of the order might bo reduced, as he -was not at present in a position to pay that amount. Defendant handed in a statement of his annual receipts, showing that from all sources he only received £lll 8s per year, and had to support a daughter who was suffering from an affliction, and unable to work. After considering all the circumstances of the case, his Worship told defendant the Bench declined to vary the order.

Wife Desertion.- -The adjourned case against Richard Searle, for deserting his wife, was called on. Complainant stated that since last before the Court her husband had given her 10s. Defendant did not appear, and the Bench ordered that he pay 10s per week into Court,

Assaults.— James Lynn was charged with having assaulted John Hughes on the 4th inst. Mr Thomas appeared for the complainant. Defendant had been in Mr Hughes’ employ as carpenter, and the latter, according to his statement, had filed his schedule, owing defendant at the time £5 10s. He (complainant) went to a building at corner of Armagh street and Oxford terrace, wfiere the man was working, and after a few

words about payment, defendant struck him violently with his fist and subsequently with a piece of scantling, rendering him insensible. Dr Deamor gave evidence of the injuries received by complainant. One wound would have been very dangerous if erysipelas had set in. A witness, called, stated that he saw complainant on the ground that day, and he was bleeding profusely from a wound in the eye. Fined 40s and costs. Violent Assault.— James McGill was charged on remand with having violently assaulted Ellen Jordan, causing grievous bodily harm. Mr Izard appeared for the defence. When the prosecutrix was called, she asked whether she could not give her evidence without being sworn. His Worship told her not without she had religious scruples against taking an oath. Prosecutrix said she had no criminal evidence to give. Accused was very much excited and in liquor when he assaulted her. She knew nothing of him, and as she was the sufferer she was quite willing to put up with what she had suffered. Mr Izard said he supposed that the woman wished to withdraw the charge. Inspector Buckley hoped the Bench would not allow this course to be taken, as for a fortnight the woman’s life was in danger. It was evident that prosecutrix from her manner was under the influence of liquor, and Inspector Buckley asked that the case might be adjourned until the following day. He would also ask that the evidence of Dr Hayes might be taken, as that gentleman might be examined, as he wished to return to Kaiapoi, Dr Hayes was then called, and stated that on the 30th November he was house surgeon at the Hospital. Between 9 and 10 o’clock that night the woman Jordan was brought to that institution. The witness here described the nature of the injuries received, and said that danger might have resulted through hcemorrhage. The injuries might have been occasioned by a kick from a man. In cross-examination Dr Hayes said the wounds could have been caused through the woman falling violently on a log of wood. This was all the evidence taken, and the Bench granted the remand asked for until the following day,

LYTTELTON. Thursday, December 21. (Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly.— James Murray, arrested by Constable Johnstone for the above offence, was fined 20s, or, in default, ninety-six hours’ imprisonment with hard labour.