MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 914, 30 May 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, May 30. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.—An inebriate, who appeared for the first time, was fined ss. Michael Ryan, for drunkenness, was fined 10s. A charge against G-eorge Rogers for being drunk and resisting the police was adjourned fora week, as accused was suffering from a bad leg. Obstructing the Police. —Peter Peterson, arrested for obstructing the constable while arresting a prisoner, was fined 10s. Protection Order. —Mrs Mary Shannon applied for a protection order against her husband, Richard Shannon. The case had been adjourned for a week to allow of a deed of separation being arranged if possible between the parlies. Mr Joynt appeared for the complainant, who stated she had been residing with her husband on the West Coast, and while there she had been compelled to obtain a protection order, and have her husband bound over to keep the peace in consequence of his violence to her. He subsequently came to Christchurch, and she came over to join him in January last, bringing her children. Some little time after her arrival her husband struck her violently on several occasions, giving her a black eye and marking her. On last Friday week, while cooking the breakfast, her husband stood in front of the fire, spitting about, and when she remonstrated with him, he struck her, knocking her into the corner of the room. The following morning, because she spoke about bis having addressed one of the children harshly, lie kicked her. Her husband used to allow her fid per day pocket money, but stopped this some few weeks ago. He had also stopped the supply of. provisions after the morning when lie knocked her down. She had three children, and the allowance of £1 10s offered at first by her husband would not be sufficient to maintain them. An employe of defendant’s, called by Mr Joynt, stated that he had seen defendant strike complainant on the Friday morning. Heard the disturbance the following morning, but Mrs Shannon kept annoying her husband at the time by calling him a brute. This was after he had kicked her. In cross-examination,the witness said complainant was not blessed with a very good temper, and the house might have been kept cleaner. Witness had seen complainant take a glass of beer, but had never seen her under the influence of drink. Defendant called a witness who stated that one night when ho was staying at Shannon’s house, Mrs Shannon came into the room in her night-dress and abused defendant fearfully. The house was always kept in a very dirty state. Witness had seen complainant in a very excited state, as if she had taken drink. Defendant was examined at his own request, and stated that he had never hurt his wife unless under very great provocation. She had always had her own way, and his children were allowed to do as they liked, going to school and staying away when she felt inclined. He had been obliged to lease his shop, cottage, and stock at Recfton, through his wife’s temper, who was acting under the advice of his mother-in-law. He walked over from there with a pound in his pocket, qnd now that he was beginning to make a position for himself he was again being disgraced through the action he was forced into lay his wife’s temper. Ho had wished that publicity should have been avoided for all their sakes, but as it had been stated in the paper that he had been in the habit of treating his wife with persistent cruelty, he preferred that all the circumstance should be known. After Mr Joynt had addressed the Dench, his Worship suggested that it would be as well for the ease to be adjourned for a week, with a view to a settlement, defendant in the meantime to pay £2 into Court for the temporary support of his wife and family,

LYTTELTON. Wednesday, May 30. (Before J. T. Rouse, Esq., J. 8., and 11. R. Webb, Esq., J.T.) Drunkenness. —A youthful offender was fined os for a first indiscretion.

Civil, Cases. —Bunker v Ryan, claim £5 11s ltd; judgment by default for amount claimed, costs 13s. Nelson v Burt, claim £1 Is 2d ; Mr 11. N. Nalder for defendant. The case was adjourned till to-morrow to allow of the Resident Magistrate who had before heard the details of the case to be present. J. McDonald and Co. v Dempsey, claim £3 15s, for clothes supplied; Mr Hi N. Nalder for defendant. Case adjourned for fourteen days, to allow of defendant’s appearance,