MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 937, 26 June 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, June 26. (Before a. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly.—Neil Wylic was fined 10s; William Smith, for being drunk and resisting the police, was fined 40s ; and a first, offender 5s and cab hire. Drunk and Attempting Suicide.— Robert Myer was brought up on this charge. Accused, who was only released from gaol on Saturday last, had the previous evening attempted to hang himself by means of a strap which he had tied to a gate at the rear of the White Hart Hotel. When released by one of the waiters the buckle of the belt was drawn tight round accused's neck, and he was frothing at the mouth. The man was seen some short time previous under the influence of drink, but had not been drinking at the hotel. Accused asked to be allowed to get away to Sydney, as he could not get any work here. As the man had been several times before the Court within the last year, his Worship sentenced him to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labor. Breach of Licensing Act.—Mary Ann Grilman was charged on summons with committing a breach of above Act by selling two bottles of beer to Arthur Hornby, at her residence, Ferry road. Mr Slater appeared for defendant. ' Prosecutor stated that he was at defendant's place on 15th instant, and was supplied with the beer, for which he paid 10s. He was not supplied by defendant, not did he see her at the house. Sergeant Hughes, called, stated that defendant was and always had been the reputed owner and occupier of the house in question. Mr Slater called a woman named Elizabeth Lowe, who stated that she had rented the house from the defendant on the 14th inst. Did so because defendant was going to Wellington. Paid her £4 per week for the place. Mr Slater handed in an agreement to that effect, which was however unstamped. Witness continued to say that she supplied prosecutor with one bottle of beer the day he was at the house, but had not charged him anything for it. Defendant, called, stated that she had handed over possession of the premises to Elizabeth Lowe on the 14th instant. Had no control over the house since that date. Constable Brooks, called by Inspector Buckley, stated that he was at the house the previous day and saw defendant there. She was folding up some clothes, and told him she had two houses to look after now, and had let three of the rooms of the house they were in at £4 per week each. Did not give him to understand that she only received £4 for the whole house, but that amount for each room, keeping the other apartment for herself. After MrSlater had addressed the Bench, his Worship said that under the circumstances he would dismiss the case, but it merely shifted the responsibility to the witness Lowe. Inspector Buckley said he would, with permission of the Bench, lay an immediate information against this latter woman, as the man Hornby lived out of town. His Worship consented to the information being laid. After the case had been called on, Hornby repeated his previous evidence. Defendant called a witness who stated she saw the beer supplied, but the man did not pay for it, though it was usual to do so. His Worship said he did not for one moment believe the witness's statement. The house was a most disreputable one, and numerous complaints had been made of robberies committed in it. It was no doubt a common practice to sell in the place, and defendant would be fined £2O and £2 18s witnesses' expense.