MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 888, 30 April 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH.

Monday, April 30. (Before Dr. Donald, R.M.) Vagrancy.—Thomas Murphy was brought up charged with this offence. Accused had broken into a house in Cashel street belonging to Mr George Jacobs at three o'clock on last Saturday morning. The wife of the prosecutor first heard the man, and when Mr Jacobs caught hold of him he received a blow on the head, which rendered him nearly unconscious. The man got away, and next day was arrested by the police on suspicion. Accused was identified by Mr Jacobs, and the police also gave him a very bad character. For some weeks past he hadbeen loafing about public -houses, and would not work. Sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. Drunk and Disorderly.—Thomas Boswell, for being drunk at the railway station, was fined 20s. Charles Evans was fined 10s. A case against Mary Ann Kirkwood was adjourned for a week to give her the last chance asked for, of clearing away from Christchurch. Three inebriates, who appeared for the first time, were each fined 10s. Horses and Cattle at Large.—For permitting horses and cattle to wander at 1 rge, the following persons were each lined 5s : —John Dollan, J. P. Oliver,Win. Brooker, and R. Carmichael. Miscellaneous. — Twentyman Hodgson, for being the owner of four dogs unregistered for the current year, was fined £4; Daniel Howard and James Maloy, charged witli furiously riding on the Riccarton road, were each fined 20s ; George Hobbs and Antonio Juriz, were summoned for selling race cards on the railway platform without having permission from the Minister of Public Works. Defendants pleaded ignorance of the law, -and said that for many years they had sold cards on the platform, and had net been interfered with; nor had they been cautioned in this instance. His Worship said that as this was the first case brought under the Act he would only impose a nominal penalty of 10s on each defendant. A case against William Pierce, for having three dogs following him in the Domain without being led, was dismissed, as it was shown that defendant had received permission from the Domain Board to use the dogs for working the sheep. Assault. —Eobcrt Hamilton was summoned for having assaulted Mrs Annie Clark on the 15th April, at Sumner. Mr Joynt appeared for the defendant. The alleged assault occurred at the Marine Hotel. The wives of the parties are sisters, and the offence had arisen through Clark having previously struck their brother. After the ladies had had a slight, quarrel about the matte]-, Clark appeared on the scene, and as defendant, who now arrived, thought he (Clark) was going to assault, his wife, he made a blow at him, the latter portion of winch touched Mrs Clark on the cheek. A large number of witnesses were examined, and the cross-examina-tion was exceedingly amusing, causing a great deal of laughter, in which his Worship could not help joining in at intervals, helping the fun now and then by quaint interjections. The evidence for the prosecution was somewhat conflicting, but as an unintentional assault was partly admitted, his Worship imposed a fine of 20s, the defendant remarking at same time that though an assault technically had taken place, the blow had not been intended for the woman. Destitute Persons Eeltkf Ordinance. -Henry, Joseph, and Alary Ford were summoned, charged with having deserted their mother, leaving her without support. The evidence showed that the information need not have been laid, and his Worship adjourned the case for a week, with a view to arrangements being made, at the same time recom* mending defendants to allow &l per week,