MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 829, 19 February 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, February 19.

(Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and Dr Deamer, Esq, J.P.) Drunkenness.—Two offenders, who appeared for the first time, were each fined ss. An inebriate, arrested for the first time, charged with being found drunk in railway carriage at the Christchurch station, was fined 10a.

Conspiring to Defraud.—Agnes Brown and Ellen Stokes were further remanded until the 20th instant at the request of the counsel, to be admitted to bail on their own recognizances. Larceny from a Dwelling.—George Forester and William Roberts were charged with stealing two bottles of whiskey and one of old torn from the bar of the Courtenay and Halkett Arms Hotel. When arrested by mounted constable Smith, Roberts said he had had some of the drink, but he didn't know where it came from. The constable produced portion of a bottle of whiskey which he had received from Mrs Davis, wife of Arthur Davis, farmer, Ha'kett, and also an empty old torn bottle, which Mrs Dearsley had handed to him. The label on this bottle had previously been marked with a cross by her. From the evidence it appeared that both of the accused had been employed by the pro prietor of the hotel to do harvesting work. On the 16th instant some bottles were missed from the bar, and the accused having quarrelled together on that day, Forester told Mrs Dearsley's son that Roberts went over the bar and stole some bottles of grog. Forester after took the young men and showed them where an empty old torn bottle lay, which he said Roberts;had thrown there. It was afterwards found that this bottle had been marked by Mrs Dearsley. It was also shown that Forester had invited some persons to take a drink out of the bottles identified as those produced, and had sent Roberts for one to where it had been concealed in a hedge. Forester took the bottle of whiskey to Mr Davis's house, where She waa going to work, Mrs Dearsley identified one of the bottlea as the one she had marked. Both of the accused were about the house that morning. On the 17th Forester asked her if she had missed anything, and said Roberts had taken three bottles. The Bench considered both of the accused were tarred with the same brash, and sentenced them to fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labor. Boeses, &c, at Large.—For permitting horses and other animals to wander at large, the following persons were each fined 5s : W. Craig, G. S. Husband, John Taylor, and Alexander Agnew. Miscellaneous.—A case against John Wakefield, summoned for riding a horse having a bad girth gall, was dismissed, as it was shown that the horse was being ridden into town to be attended to. John Taylor was charged with allowing a ferocious dog to be at large in Gloucester street. It was shown that the dog had bitten a person named G. W. Clarke in the leg tearing his flesh and trowsers. Inspector Buckley had seen the occurrence and stated that the dog was not fit to be at large. Fined 10s and expenses of witness. E. J. Hawkins summoned for obstructing a footpath with his horse, was fined 10s. Threatening Language.—T. J. Ryan was charged with usiDg abusive language to Robert Davis. The parties had had a case in Court previously; and on the 10th instant about 11 o'clock according to plaintiff and his witnesses they were standing in front of their own houses near to that of defendant's when he (defendant) flouriohed a stick over their heads, and threatened that he would run a sword through Dtwis, if it coßt him £2O, or if ho w re hanged for it. Defendant called his wife, who stated that at eight o'clock same evening Davis told her something about her husband, and he threatened to horsewhip Davis if he did not cease talking about him or his affairs. His Worship told defendant that he appeared to ba a nuisance to the neighbourhood. He would be fined .£5 and witnesses' expenses, and if he came up before the Court again, he would be bound over to keep the peace in such Bureties that he might find difficult to find:

Abusive and Insulting Language.— Ellen Kent and Ellen Hargreaves were charged with having used abusive and insulting language on 10th "February to Henry Pierraont. It appeared that complainant had given evidence against defendants in a ca«e heard that day in Court, and when he waa passing the house they live in at PhilHnstown, both defendants—Hargreaves especially 80-used most disgusting language towards him. Complainant in his evidence Baid that he was doubtful whether Kent was the other girl who spoke to him, His Worship dismissed the ewe against Kent. Two girls, called by defendant! stated they were in the house at the time, and did not hear Hargreaves use the expressions imputed to her. The Bench fined Hargreaves £5 and costs. A a SAULT.—M. Murphy was eummoned for having assaulted Thomas Brooks on 15th February. Mr Geo Harper appeared for complainant, and Mr A- Jameson for defendant. Complainant stated that he had been placed in possession of Mr Mo Abater's smithis Shop at Addington, as bailiff by the landlord, Mr James, for £6O rent due. On the aight of the 13th inst, about 11 p.m. witness went to the house and touk possession without going through it. Next morning found a man there, under bill of sale from defendant. That day defendant went up with a cart to remove Rome goods, but witness refused to allow him to do so. On the 15th instant a Bale was held, and witness attempted to stop it but without avail. Some chairs were purchased by a person named Patereon. A men named Brumley and defendant tried to remove them, when witness caught hold of them, when Murphy struck him. Witness would swear that neither the anctioneer nor any one else offered him money on account of the rent. Both James and witness had cautioned

the auctioneer not to proceed with the Bale. The fact of the assault was corroborated by Mr McAlistar. who Btated that Brooks had taken possession before the sale was held. Defendant had a man in possession before complainant went there. Further evidence was given of the assault and that complainant had not returned it. Mr Jameson called Mr W. Clifford, of Clifford and Co, auctioneers, who was selling that day on account of Murphy under a bill of sale. He had read portion of the bill of sale, both to the public and to Mr James. The sale had been duly advertised. Witness had offered both the bailiff and James £25 on account of rent, but they wanted the whole £6O. When one of the purchasers was trying to get away some chairs Brooks caught hold of them and refused to allow them to be taken away. Murphy caught hold of them and eventually struck complainant. Brooks had attempted prior to this to allow some kni>es and forks being takeu away, and had tossed them about. The assault seem to be a sort of a scramble between Murphy and Brooks. Other evidence was given of a joint struggle having taken place between the parties before the assault, and that Brooks had first taken hold of the chairs, before he (Brooke) had hustled Brombly. After counsel had addressed the Bench, his Worship said there could be no doubt that an assault had been committed, and though defendant might have supposed he had a right to take some action, he still had no right to strike complainant, whom it was proved had not attempted to return the blow. Fined £3 and costs. LYTTELTON. Monday, February 19. TBefore W. Donald, Esq., KM.] Drunkenness. —For this offence two men, who appeared for the first time in this predicament, were discharged with a caution. Transfer of License.—The license of the Cambridge Hotel was transferred from G. M. Warne to Edward Morgan.