MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 801, 16 January 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, January 15. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Miscellaneous Offences—A case against Andrew Hardie for using abusive language to Jane Mills and a cross summons between these parties for assault were both dismissed. Thomas J. Ryan summoned for assaulting Thos Reid was fined 10a and costs. Isabella Lee charged with breaking two panes of glass belonging to James Heslop was fined 10d, 2s value of glaBS, and costs. Mary Bolt received a protection order against her hußband John Bolt and defendant was ordered to pay 10s per week towards the support of his family. Arthur Frow was ordered to pay 8s per week towards the support of his illegitimate child. A caße against Robert Johnstone for using abusive language to Thomas Hawkins was dismissed. Matthew Buckley charged with assaulting Robert Patton, was fined 20a and costs. For tethering a cow ia Forth street, Newtown,

Henry Minifie was fined 10s. Thomas Parkinson charged with obstructing the steps at the railway station with his cab was fined 10s. , ASSAULTING A CONSTABLE.—J. Blackhouse was summoned for assaulting Constable McKay on 24th December. Complainant stated that, on the evening of that date, he was conveying a man along Hereford street to the lock-up when defendant interfered, caught him by the collar, and told him he was ill-using the man, and had kicked him, and was about to strike him with a stick. Through the action of defendant a large crowd had collected. Constables Creighton and Wallace corroborated the major portion of this evidence. Defendant denied that he was near the constable at all. The policeman had thrown the man down and kicked him three times when he protested against such conduct. He had a stick in his hand but had never offered to use it. The statement made by the constable was not correct. When he accused the constable of kicking the; man, he at once gave him his name. As defendant had no evidence in Court in corroboration of his statement, his Worship imposed a fine of 20s, Obstructing a Constable.—Robert Belgrave was summoned for obstructing Constable Cartmell, on the night of the 30th of December, by refusing to admit him into his licensed house, the Crown Hotel, South belt. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. The constable stated that about a quarter Sast eleven that night he saw lights in the ouse, and heard voices inside. He knocked at a side door, and, in answer to a question from inside, he replied "police." The person went away, and witness heard a commotion inside ; the individual then returned and unlocked the door When he got inside he saw men going out at the back, and followed, and learnt two of their names. Believed it was the landlord who first came to the door. Evidence was given for the defence that the house was closed that night at twelve minutes to eleven, and no drink had been served after that hour. There were some persons inßide whom the landlord was trying to get out when a knock was given at the door. A man in the employ of defendant went to the door, and the moment he heard the word " police" he opened the door. He had first asked who was there. His Worship said the delay might have occurred through the constable being misunderstood. The case would be dismissed.

Trespassing on the Eailway Line.— James Earle, for permitting a number of cattle to trespass on the Christchurch and Lyttelton line, was fined 10s. A case against a lad named James Craw, for trespassing on the Great Northern line for the purpose of obtaining rabbit feed, was dismissed.

. Tuesday, January 16. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness.—Thos. Radcliffe, charged with drunkenness, was fined ss. : Embezzlement.—Edwin Wadman, late clerk to the Heathcote Road Board, was charged on Warrant with having embezzled monies belonging to the Board. Inspector Feast told the Bench that the accused had been arrested the previous evening at Sumner. Mr Garrick had been retained for the prosecution, but was at present engaged at the Supreme Court, and he (the inspector) would ask for a remand until the following day. His Worship granted the remand asked for. In reply to accused, his Worship said he would admit him to bail in two sureties of £IOO each, and himself in £2OO.