MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 938, 27 June 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday. June 27. (Before G-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly.—An inebriate who appeared for the first time was fined ss. William Lambert was fined ss, and Arthur Alexander, 10s.

AsSAULT-Edward Brickler was charged with assaulting a woman in a house of ill-fame in Eilmore street the previous night. Sergeant Wilson stated that he heard a woman screaming violently and when he went to the place she told him accused had struck her, but he had cleared out. A large crowd had collected at the place. It was shown by the evidence of a person who was passing along Cranmer square at the time that he saw accused coming out of a lane leading from the back of the premises m question, and heard him say that he had struck the on the head with a bottle. Accused said he had gone to the house for a table, and a man had assaulted him. His Worship said the evidence had not been sufficiently conclusive, but there was no doubt but that accused had created a nuisance by his conduct in collecting a crowd. Fined 40s.

Larceny op a Cheque.—Anthony Ferrick was charged, on remand, with stealing acheque for £65 15s. Constable Stephenson stated that, from information received, he went to the accused's house, off Colombo street, on Saturday last, and said to him " What about that cheque? " Accused replied that he knew nothing about a cheque. At the request of witness accused accompanied hint to Mr Hobday's shop, and, when they got inside, a young man named Keynolds, pointing to accused, said he was the man who had presented the cheque. Witness then arrested him on the charge. Accused denied that he ever had the cheque or that he had been in Hobday's shop that day. The cheque produced witness had received from Mr Hobday. In reply to lus Worship, accused said lie had no intention of cashing the cheque, as, when he picked it up, he showed it to Mr Johnston below the railway gates. Stanton Ashby, j carrier at Amberley, called, stated that he | was in town on Friday last, and received 1 a cheque from Messrs Hannier and Harper for £65 15s. Witness endorsed his name on the back of it, but put no other writing on it. The cheque produced is the same. Witness then put it in a pocket-book and placed the latter in his outside breast pocket. Did not pay it away, but found afterwards that he had lost it. Did not know accused, and he had no right or authority to have it in his possession. J. Gr. Mackintosh called, stated that he was assistant at Mr Hobday's shop. On Saturday last accused came into the shop and purchased a suit of clothes, some socks, and a hat, amounting to £3 19s 6d. He tendered the cheque produced in payment. Witness asked him how he got the cheque and who he worked for, and he said for Messrs Hanmer and Harper. Asked him who Mr Lee was, in whose favor the cheque was drawn, and he said that he was the person. Witness then asked him how it was that the cheque was endorsed Starnin Ashby, and he said that that person was foreman to Messrs Hanmer and Harper, and that he had endorsed it. After Mr Hobday had seen the cheque witness wanted accused to endorse it, but he said he could not write. Witness told him he would write his name and asked what it was. Accused said it was Lee, and put his mark to it, but when asked for his christian name and address, he said Thomas Lee, Colombo street South, and witness added the name of Thomas to the cheque. Witness went next door to speak to Mr Goodman about the document. In the meantime accused had gone out to speak to his wife, who was waiting in the street, and they afterwards went away. Witness gave information to the police and identified the man next day at the police depot. The cheque was not cashed, and accused did not take the goods. The man was quite sober at the time. After the evidence had been read and accused duly cautioned, he said that he had no intention of cashing the cheque after he had found it. Had lie done so he would not have shown it to Mr Johnston. He came up to town to hand it over to the police, but took a few glasses and did not know he had gone to the shop. Committed for trial at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court. In reply to accused, his Worship said he woidd grant bail in two sureties of £IOO each. Forgery and Uttering.—George B. Hall, on remand from Oamaru, was charged with forging a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand, Temuka, for £7 10s, and uttering the same on the 3rd March last. Mr Joynt appeared for accused. Inspector Buckley told his Worship that accused had only arrived the previous night from Oamaru, and he would ask for a remand to enable him to get up the evidence. Remanded until July 4th. On the application of Mr Joynt his Worship said bail would be granted in two sureties of £IOO each.

LYTTELTON. Wednesday, June 27. (Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.)

Drunkenness. —T. Kelly, arrested by Constable Johnson, was fined 10s ; R. Day, arrested by Constable Bullen, was fined 20s. Lunacy.—H. F. Perry, who had been placed under the charge of the polioe by Dr, Rouse, was remanded till Friday.

Breach of Harbour Regulations.— Captain Davis, master of the barque Stag, was accused of a breach of the harbor regulations, through having on his arrival at the Heads flown an exemption hag, whereas ho possessed no right to do so, as he held no authority from the Harbor Master. Mr H. ,N. JNalder, solicitor to the Board, appeared to prosecuifc The evidence of the pilot having been heard, Captain Davis admitted the offence, but stated it had occurred through a misapprehension. The Bench indicted a fine of i's with costs j and solicitor's fees, £2 2s,