MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1043, 29 October 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Satubday, October 27. [Before G-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dbtxnkenness. —P. O'Brien, alias Sullivan, was fined 10s. Wilful Destbuction.—-William Scarlett was charged with wilfully wrenching the knocker off the door of Mr Major Cunningham's house in Cashel street east. Constable Hewitt stated that he had arrested the accused about two o'clock that morning in Lichfield street. Someone was crying "Police," and witness saw prisoner and another man running. Witness intercepted prisoner, who was the worse for liquor, and Mr Cunningham up and accused the man of wrenching the knocker off his door. Witness then arrested prisoner. Mr M. Cunningham stated that on hearing accussed about two o'clock that morning he went to the front door, and there found the prisoner with both his hands on the knocker wrenching it off. He tried to retain the men who had a comrade with him, but witness being undressed he got away, saying, " I've marked the house, and I'll do for it, and you to." The knocker was worth 15s. Witness got his clothes on, and then followed the prisoner to Lichfield street where he had him arrested by Constable Hewitt. It was <not the first time he had been so molested, and raids were constantly being made upon his garden. —Complainant's brother and Mr Jon Allen, a neighbor, gave corroborative evidencp. The prisoner, who denied the charge, was fined 40s, and ordered to pay the damage and witnesses' expenses.

Monday, Octobeb 29. [Before Gr. L. Mellish, Esq., B.M.] DbUKKEkness. —Catherine Boyle was fined 20b ; W. Hutton, 20s; and Thomas Ward, for drunkenness and indecency, -40 s. Miscellaneous. —Frank Peter, for allowing a chimney in his house to be on fire, was fined 10s. For permitting horses and cattle to be at large—W. Brooker was fined 5s ; A. Piper, ss; J. C'radoek, ss; J. Bowman, 5s ; J. Greenawar, ss; B. Yale, as; E. Sutherland, ss; T. W. Jones, oi ; H. Wright, 5s ; Timothy Shea, ss; J. 5? ; B. Beattie, ss. F. Malcolm, for tethering his Jjoree at an improper place was fined 10s; «J.

Dalwood, leaving his cab unattended, 10s; Harry Henry, removing soil from the South Belt.'lOs. Assaults.—James Stewart and William Spiers were charged witli assaulting, on the night of the 13th instant, Augusta Uden and Hiram Uden. Mr Loughnan, for the complainant, Mr Thomas for the accused. The evidence of the complainant, a German, was to the effect that, having had some argument with the two at a hotel, they came to his place, knocked him down in the garden, and frightened and pulled his wife about, she being within five days of her confinement. The parties were described as neighbours. A neighbour described theassault as having been serious, as both I "den and his wife were bleeding. Dr. Mark had been attending the complainant, whom he had found in a feverish state. He was bruised on the left eye so much that the eye could not be examined. The chest was not bruised, but he was spitting blood. Complainant's wife showed a mark on the chest, and lie was convinced that her confinement had been premature, and that probably arose from fright or ill-usage. Mr Thomas called evidence for the defence, which showed that the assault had proceeded from the complainant, and defendants had never been in I den's house. The Court was not satisfied that there was any evidence sufficient to warrant a conviction against Spiers, who would therefore be dismissed. It was different with regard to Stewart, and he would be fined £5, and costs, £1 12s. Wife Desertion. —Job Hands was charged with deserting his wife, Lucinda Hands, without just cause. It was shown that the accused had been in the habit of supplying his wife with money at intervals, besides paying the rent. The man's employer, Harris, said that he had paid the daughter of Hands £1 on the 17th October. This she positively denied. The Magistrate remarked that one or other of the witnesses was telling a falsehood, and he was determined to see the bottom of it. The defendant averred that his daughter had got the money exactly as stated by his employer, and both his wife and daughter were swearing falsely against him. The case was adjourned till Thursday. Cruelty to Animals.- -Arthur Gardiner was charged with cruelty to a number of fowls which he tied by flax in such a way as caused their legs to bleed. The offence had occurred on the railway on the 22nd September. The man said that the fowls did not suffer on account of the manner in which they had been tied, and he was getting coops made. He had no wish to be cruel to the fowls—it was his interest to be kind to them. The Court dismissed the case, cautioning the man to be more careful in future. Slaughtke-hoi SB liiCENSES.—Slaughterhouse licenses were granted to J. E. Hansen, section 1858, Spreyden district; J. Marsden, section 1018. St. Albans ; Karl Magon, section 5698, Grcenpark j J. Bosewarne, section 15.1, Papanui; J. Sherlock, section 887, Bingsland ; J. Thomas, section 47, Heathcote ;. and Herbert Wilson, on the premises at Cashmere. LYTTELTON. Saturday Octobkk 27. [Before W. Donald, Esq., E.M.] Vagrancy.—James Corbett was charged by Constable Dineen with the above offence. The evidence showed that accused had been obtaining drinks and food from the hotels and shops in the town, and then walking away without paying, but promising to do so. The Bench sentenced him to two months imprisonment with hard labor. Monday, October 29. [Before W. Donald, Esq., E.M.J Drunkenness. Francis Lawton was fined 20s, or in default ninety-six hours' hard labor, for the above oll'ence.