MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1059, 19 November 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, November 19,

[“Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., KM,, and Dr, Coward, J.P.]

Drunkenness. —Mary Cunningham and John O’Brien, very old offenders, were fined 20s and 60s respectively. Vagrancy.—W. Millar was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. The accused, who presented a deplorable appearance, was shown to have been loafing about the town lately, and also about the bars of publichouses, with a view of obtaining drink. Sentenced to fourteen days’imprisonment with hard labor, and advised to afterwards clear out of town.

Miscellaneous. —For having no light on a hoarding in Hereford street, Joseph Wood was fined 10s; Henry Pox, summoned for driving across the footpath in Manchester street, and damaging the kerbingand asphalte, was fined 10s. For driving a machine along the street without wheels, Callaghan Reni, was fined 10s.

Assaults. —Philip Ball was summoned for assaulting James Graham, Joseph Graham, and James Glennie. There was a cross summons, also for assault, which was heard at the same time. Mr Thomas appeared for Ball, and Mr Joynt for the Grahams. The parties reside at Sumner, and for a long time have not lived on anything like amicable terms, having at intervals visited the Resident Magistrate’s Court. The assaults complained of occurred on Guy Fawkes night, when fireworks were being let off at the cave and near to Ball’s house. James Graham stated that Ball butted him under the chin, and when his brothers and friends came to his assistance and spoke to Ball, he also struck them and handled them roughly, and in an unmanly manner. This evidence was corroborated generally by a number of witnesses. Ball, in his evidence, stated that during an interval of darkness that night he was struck on the right eye and in the face. He was leading one of his children by the hand at the time. Afterwards James Graham used some threatening language, and some blows passed between them. Graham’s brothers, Glennie, and other men, then attacked him, knocked him down, and kicked him while on the ground. He was cut about and bruised and went to see Dr. Coward next day. Dr. Coward, called, stated that Ball called on him on the 6th of November; his right eye was black and there was a nasty bruise at the back of his left ear. Some of nis front teeth were loose, and his legs were bruised about generally, as if the man had received a series of kicks. Other evidence was given to show that Ball was bleeding on the night in question, and had the appearance of having received very severe treatment. After counsel had addressed the Bench, James Graham observed that he did not wish to have Ball punished ; all he wanted was peace and quietness. His worship dismissed the case qf James Graham, and said that without doubt Ball’s attack on John Graham and Glennie had been unprovoked, and defendant deserved the kicking he got for his unmanly conduct. As the expenses would be heavy he would not impose as heavy a fine as ho would otherwise have done. In the case of Joseph Graham and Glennie defendant would be fined 20s and ordered to find two sureties in the sum of £lO each and himself in £2O to keep the peace for twelve months, in default one month’s imprisonment. The case against the Grahams and Glennie would be dismissed.

Threatening language. -John Kelly, sen., and John Kelly, jun., were charged with having used abusive and threatening language to Wm, English. The parties are neighbors at Holiest on, and the language complained of had been used through complainant’s dog rushing at some of defendant’s cattle. The evidence showed that the abuse had been pretty mutual, and if anything that used by English to defendant’s child had been the worst, and his Worship told him that had an information been laid against him he would certainly have fined him for such conduct. Case dismissed. Disobeying an Order. —Job Hands was charged on summons with having failed to contribute towards the support of his wife. The parties had been recently before the Court when an order was made. Complainant said she had not received any money for ten weeks. His Worship told her she had managed to obtain flowers and new parasols. Defendant handed in a number of bills which his wife had contracted, and said she had informed him that her rent was eight shillings a week which he had paid for some time, and he afterwards discovered from the landlady that his wife had only been paying six shillings per week, and appropriating the balance. In reply to his Worship complainant said her son, who was sixteen years of age, was earning 10s weekly, and her daughter, who was older, would go to service if she had a pair of boots. His Worship administered a rebuke to the complainant for encouraging her daughter in laziness, and said she must endeavor to earn something for herself. Defendant would have to pay 10s per week for the future, and he would have to pay the accounts contracted up to the present date. Complainant interjected that she would make her husband a present of the amount, as it would be no use to her.

Abusive Language.—A case against Gregory Byron, an old man, summoned for using abusive language towards F. J. King, was dismissed, the defendant to pay 6s 6d costs. Throwing Stones. —Sandy Thompson, a young lad, was charged with throwing stones, by which a child belonging to Mrs Lucy Weston w r as struck and injured over the c\e There was no evidence called to show tbai the lad had thrown stones, and his Worshij dismissed the case.

Assaulting his Wife. —Anthony Eggle ton was charged with assaulting his w if. Mary Rggletou. Complainant stated that, oi the 17ih inst. her husband, who had brei drinking for a week previous, came heme aud while she was gettingjhis breakfast readj struck her in the face, causing her nose t< bleed. He also beat her with his fists. H> was a verv good man w r ]iea he did not drink Tlie (jfwait’Vi s-:nciwiU4 Vv tlio

of a neighbour. Defendant stated that he only tried to stop a sugar-basin which his wife was trying to strike him with. His Worship told him the evidence, corroborated, showed him to have been guilty of most unmanly conduct. He would have to find one surety in £lO, and himself in a similar amount, to keep the peace towards his wife for twelve months; or, in default, one month’s imprisonment. Defendant replied that he would do the month. Breach of Public Health Act.—William Wilson, for neglecting to fill in a pool of water on R.S. 48, Ferry road, after receiving a notice from the Inspector to the Board of Health, was given three weeks to perform the work. [Left sitting.] LYTTELTON. Monday, November 19. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and T. H. Potts, Esq., J.P.] Drunkenness.— Edward Wright and John Allan, charged with this offence, were dismissed, being sent on board their ship. Illegally on Premises. —William Williams was brought up charged with being illegally sleeping by night in an outhouse on Peacock’s Wharf, and sentenced to one week’s imprisonment.