MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 792, 4 January 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, January 4. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.— John Bowman, charged with being drunk and resisting the police, was fined 20s. An inebriate, who appeared for the first time, was fined ss. Drunk and Annoying Females. — Seaton Hudson, charged with being drunk and annoying some females near the Post office the previous afternoon, was fined 20s. Furious Driving.— George Osbourne was summoned for driving furiously along High street, on the 14th December last. The offence was proved on the evidence of Sergeant Beck, and a fine of 10s imposed. Breach of Public-house Ordinance.— J. S. Wagner was summoned for keeping his licensed house, the Clarendon Hotel, open during prohibited hours on Sunday, 24th December. Mr Thomas appeared for the defendant. Sergeant Beck stated that about half-past ten o’clock on that date he saw a person going into the hotel, by the back door. He followed him inside, and saw the billiard marker, who also acts as barman, in the passage. There were two men inside the bar, and a gentleman in one of the side parlours immediately off the bar. Did not see any drink served. This person who was in the inside parlour told witness that he had gone in for a drink, but had not received any. The side-door leading into Worcester street was also open. W. H. Barry called, stated that, on that morning, he went into the hotel by the back door. The bar was closed, and he had to knock before the bar was opened. When he got inside tho barman was behind the bar washing glasses, and a man named Wes tall employed at the hotel stables was in front of the bar. Witness was not served with any drink. In reply to Mr Thomas, witness said he was in the habit of going in and out the house at all hours. After Mr Thomas had addressed the Bench, his Worship said he would give defendant the benefit of any doubt as to whether it was intended that the Ordinance would be infringed. The case would be dismissed, but defendant must be more careful for the future. J. 0. Sheppard, of the White Hart Hotel, was summoned for having allowed drink to be sold in his house during prohibited hours. Mr Thomas appeared for the defence. J. T. Dodd called, stated that about half-past one o’clock he went to a public house and got two bottles of beer. He believed it was the White Hart Hotel, but he would not be positive that it was that hotel, as he had since found out that the side room in which he had been served was not built at that date. Inspector Buckley told the Bench that was all the evidence, and the case had arisen out of a charge of assault which had been preferred against a man named James McGill. His Worship said he would dismiss the case, but he did not think the evidence given by the witness was in the least reliable, Elijah Gadd was summoned for keeping open and selling drink in his licensed house, the Heathcote Valley Hotel, on 25th December. It was shown in evidence that the bar was open, but no drink was seen to be served. Case dismissed. Using Obscene Language.— Alice Greaves was charged under the Vagrant Act with using obscene language on the 19th Dec. Mounted-Constable Bashford stated that on the night of that date, when passing defendant’s house in Cashel street, he heard her use very obscene language, which could be heard by persons passing along the street; fined 20s.

Assaults. —William Dmm was charged with assaulting his wife Ellen Dunn. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. OomElaiuant stated that on the 19th December, or husband struck her with his closed fist on the side of the head. He had struck her on several occasions, and was in the habit of using very bad language to her, and making nasty insinuations. In reply to Mr Thomas, the witness said that since her husband had gone through the Court she had received all the proceeds from the working of the cabs. There was one man named George Smith, employed by her, whom her husband objected to. Mr Thomas told hie

Worship that his client would prefer a separation from his wife ; and, as complainant said she would consent to such a course, his Worship adjourned the case for a week to enable the parties to come to some arrangement. Bridget Leader was summoned for assaulting her husband, John Leader, on the 23rd December. Mr Slater appeared for the defendant. The parties are separated by deed, and on the date complained of the woman went to a house where he is staying, gave him a thrashing, and kicked him in the leg. He would like to have her bound over to keep the peace. His Worship said he would bind defendant over in her own recognisances to keep the peace towards her husband. Failing to Support his Mother.— An adjourned case of this nature against John Barrie was called on. Complainant stated that she had not received the arrears from her son, which the Bench had ordered him to pay. Arrears to be paid within one week, in default seven days imprisonmeut.

Abusive Language. A case against Elizabeth Hislop for using abusive language to Jane Jackson and Jane Brearly, was dismissed, as complainants did not appear. Wife Desertion. —The adjourned case against Neil McPhee for deserting his wife was called on. Mr George Harper appeared for defendant. The case had been gone into fully last week. Mr Harper told his Worship that defendant was in the employment of Mr Wason, who had promised to build a cottage for the accommodation of Mrs McPhee and family. His Worship said that from the number of times the parties had been before him, he was afraid they could never agree together. Defendant was no doubt a hard working man, but he sometimes took too much drink, and complainant had a temper of her own. Mr Harper said McPhee was now a Good Templar, and his employer had written to him giving the man a very good character. His Worship adjourned the case further for a week, to see if some amicable arrangement could not be made. Mark Kane was summoned for deserting his wife, Deborah Kane. Defendant did not appear. Complainant stated that she had not seen her husband since last he was in Court. His Worship said defendant had written to him that he is at present employed driving a team at Lake Coleridge. He would allow the case to stand over for a fortnight, and in the meantime defendant would be communicated with. LYTTELTON. Thursday, January 4. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Absent without Leave.—WmCuthbertson and Geo Smith, were charged by Captain Powell, of the Bspecalador, with thi* offence. Smith was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment with hard labor, and Cuthbertson ordered on board. Wm Rogerson, of the ship Langstone, was, for a similar offence, sentenced to seven days’imprisonment with hard labor. Drunk and Disorderly —John Gorman, arrested by Constable Bullen, was fined 10s and cart hire Is 6d. Evan Evan, also arrested by Constable Bullen, and charged also with using profane language in addition, was fined 20s and 3s damages, attempting to Rescue Prisoners.— George Smith, Edward McOartny, Bans Lauson, were accused of this offence, and with damaging property. It appeared that, when Evans was arrested at Beverley’s Hotel the men charged above endeavored to effect a rescue. The offenders Evan Evans, William Smith, Hans Lausen, and Edward McCarthy, alias Donovan, were convicted for drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and violently assaulting and resisting the police, one of the constables having lost a whole side of his whiskers. The sergeant-major requested the Bench to deal with the prisoners under the Assaults on Constables Act, 1873, and stated to the Bench that for the last four nights neither himself or the constables at this station were able to retire from the streets till four o’clock, in consequence of the rowdyism carried on by the prisoners and other disorderly persons, who had to be actually driven off the streets. Wm Smith was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment with hard labor; Edward McCarthy to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labor, and also 10s fine for daxnaging Government property ; and Hans Lausen was fined 10a, or in default forty-eight hoars. Drunk on Railway Premises.—D. McLean, charged by Robert Connal, night watchman on the railway, with this offence, was fined 10s, or in default forty-eight hours. Civil Case, —Digeden v D, Gebbie; claim £l2 13s lid, for wages. Mr H. N, Nalder for plaintiff, and Mr Thomson for defendant; £8 9s 3d paid. Judgment for £4 4s ; Court costs, £2 15s ; solicitor’s fee, £1 Is,