MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 902, 16 May 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, May 16. [Before Gf. L. Mcllish, Esq., R.M.] Disoheying a Summons.' —Jonas B. Day, who had been arrested for disobeying a summons of the R.M. Court, Leeston, was remanded to be brought up at that Court outlie following day. Drunk and Disorderly.—William Warner, an old offender, was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labour. Walker Pearson was fined ss. Thomas Purdoc was fined 20s and cab fare Is. Mary Ann Kirkwood, for bring drunk and soliciting prostitution, was fined 40s. Mary Graham, who had been suffering from the effects of drink, and had recovered, was brought up and discharged. Assaulting- ms Wife. —James O’Brien was brought up, charged with assaulting his wife on the 9th instant. From the evidence of Mrs O’Brien it appeared that accused had come home on that day in a state of intoxication, called her names, and because she would not leave the house, struck her on the shoulders several times. The witness said her husband was a very good man when sober, but was in the habit of beating her when he came home drunk. She did not wish to press the charge, as he had promised to behave belter for the future. His Worship allowed the case to stand over until 13th June to see how accused would behave himself in the meantime.

Stealing rno.n the Peksox. —Andrew Brown was charged with having stolen a purse containing about £t from TJios. A. Hart. Accused was arrested at Beattie’s Hotel the previous night, and on being taken by Constable Stevenson to the Criterion Hotel the barman there handed the constable a purse, and two £l-notos, which prosecutor had left in his charge. On being taken to the police depot twelve shillings in various coins, and a quartz specimen were found on accused. The prosecutor had been locked up for drunkenness on Monday night, and when discharged on the following morning the watchhouse keeper returned him the quartz specimen found on accused. The prosecutor called, stated that he was in the bar-room of (he Criterion Hotel about eight o’clock the previous night, accused was standing alongside of him, and witness felt his hand in his pocket. He challenged him with taking some silver out, which lie denied. Witness also missed his purse, which contained £t in notes. His (witness’) mate then got possession of it from accused, and returned to him ; two of the notes were missing. Afterwards handed the purse and notes to I lie barman of the Criterion Hotel, and then went for a constable. Identified the specimen produced as his property. Some of the silver witness had on him were two shilling pieces, similar to those in Court. Sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor.

Larceny.—James Kelly was charged on remand with having stolen a silk handkerchief from the store of Mitchell and Turner, Ashburton. Ho (accused) purchased a little tobacco, but did not buy anything else. The other man bought a few things, but witness was certain the scarf produced, which was in the firm’s stock, had not been sold to the accused. Did not know whether the other man might not have purchased it. From the evidence given when accused was last before the Court it appeared that he had been arrested on a charge of vagrancy at Ashburton sometime ago,and the scarf in quest ion was found in his swag. His Worship said that, although the circumstances were suspicious, (here was not sufficient evidence to convict accused. Discharged.