MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 863, 31 March 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, Maech 31, (Before Dr Deamer and J. Anderson, Esq., J.Fs.) Drunkenness. —Thomas Henderson, arrested lor this offence, and who had been convicted six times during the present year, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment with hard labor. Abusive Language.—Ellen Morris was charged on summons with having used abusive and threatening language to Emma Carter on the 25th instant. The parties live near each other at Phillipstown. Complainant stated that on, Sunday morning sjie told de.

" ' II- * I I 1 1 fendant that her little boy was throwing stoues at some fowls, when she (defendant) threatened to cut off her head with an axe and also went to witness's husband and told him something very wrong about her. Defendan 's husband, who was in Court, said bis wife had been exceedingly strange in her manner since the death of her child, which took place a fortnight since. The Bench adjourned the case until Tuesdoy to allow of defendant being seen by two medical men on that day, Mr Carter, in the meantime, promising to look closely after her. William Spring was summoned for having used insulting language to Eliza Fuller on 24th instant. The parties also reside at Phillipstown, and according to complainant, defendant came to their fence that day and spoke about some stone throwing. Defendant then told Mrs Fuller that she was "dragged up," had "poisoned dogs" on occasions, and had used other similar insultiug language. In reply to defendant, witness denied having said he was "a lump of blubber," and did not transfer the Globe newspaper from one hand to the other and hold her dress out and say that was paid for, but that his (defendant's) wife's grand dresses were not, and also did not tell defendant that if she were a man she would blacken both his |eyes. Other evidence was given showing that the real sore was that the Inspector of Nuisances had been informed that one of the parties kept pigs and had taken some action in the matter. The Bench regretted that neighbors could not agree better together, and disnr'ssed the case.

Assaults.—Sarah Ann Thompson, a little girl of respectable appearance, appeared to to answer the information of having thrown a brick at a little child named Susannah Tibbs. The girl denied the offence, and the Bench dismissed the case, at the same time advising the girl's father, who was in Court, to take means to prevent the possibility of a similar annoyance again occuring. John Bott was charged with having ► ssaulted his wife Mary Bott on the 24th March. Complainant stated that on the day in question her husband commenced to slap her face, and afterwards struck her on an arm which was bruised. He had abused her several times lately, and she would like to be separated from him if he would only give her a little for the support of her child. Defendant told the Bench he was out of work just now, but would be willing to allow his wife something for her support when he was in a position to do so, and did not object to her oeiug separated from him, as ehe whs in the habit of constantly provoking bim to commit some act or other. Case adjourned until the 4th of April, the Bench i .forming defendaat that he would probably be bound over to keep the peace, and he had better come prepared with sureties, or he might have to go to prison. A case, Ellen Morris v Eliza Ctrr-er, and a cross summons between the same parties, was aajourned until the 4th of April. Disobeying an Order Frederick Lane wns tummoned for not having complied with an order of the Court to pay £2 per week towards the eupport of his wife and family. Complainaut said she had not rec ived anything during the last month, and only £1 10s for the month Deft, re. Defendant told the Bench that he had been Buffering from rheumatics, and could not pay £2 per week, as his tamiogsonly average £2 f>s wrekly during the whole year. He was prepared to hand his wife £1 10a now. Complainant said sh« was prepared to take £1 10s per week for the future. Their Worships adjourned the ease until 4th April, to give defendant an opportunity of paying up arrears, when he could then apply to have the order varied. Masters and Apprentices Act.—A case brought under this Act by A. G-. Howlands against Alexander Anderson was adjourned until 4th April. LYTTELTON. Saturday, March 31. (Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and T. H. Potts, Esq., J.P.) Wife Desertion.—Alfred Alfrey, arrested by Detective Smith, charged upon warrant with the above offence, was remanded until Saturday next, to enable the police to communicate with the Kaiapoi police, from which Court the warrant was issued.