MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1064, 24 November 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, November 24. [Before G-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.—Mary Cunningham, an old offender, who had been arrested at Phillipstown for being drunk and using obsene language, was fined (50s, and cautioned that if she appeared in Court again within the next three months she would receive a sentence of twelve months imprisonment with hard labor.

Lunacy from Drink;.—A first offender, who had been remanded for eight days for medical treatment, and had recovered, was discharged.

Using Threatening Language.—Benjamin Gahagan, who had not appeared when summoned, was charged on warrant with having osed violent and threatening language towards his wife. Mr Cowlishaw appeared for the complainant, and informed the Court that accused had been bound over to keep the peace for twelve months about the beginning of the year, notwithstanding which his conduct had compelled Mrs Gahagan to again bring him before the Court. Mrs Gkihagan stated that her husband was in the habit of constansly coming to her house intoxicated, leaning over the fence, and using insulting language to the lodgers as they passed in or out. He was also in the habit of using most improper and threatening language to the children when he met them, arid through his conduct many ladies and gentlemen who lived at her place had left. Accused told his "Worship that he considered himself to be master of the house, although he had signed it over to his wife. Mr Colishaw said accused had nothing whatever to do with the house. He had been away from his wife for more than twelve years, and Mrs Gahagan had purchased the place with her own money. His Worship said he was aware of this. In reply to the Bench, accused made a statement about not being allowed to see the children, but this was contradicted by Mrs Gahagan. Fined 20s ; the question of whether the recognizances would bo estreated or not to remain in abevance.

Assaulting a Bailiff.—Thomas Weir was charged, on summons, with having assaulted Julius Arnold, a bailiff, while in the execution of his duty. Complainant stated that, on the 22nd instant, he went to defendant's place in the Valley, and after waiting some little time defendant, who was out, came home. Witness told him his business, and defendant said he could not settle the amount and witness should not remain there, but he would pay for his keep at the hotel. Witness told him he could not go away. After some little time witness went from the house into the garden, and defendant's wife came and advised him to leave. Witness said he could not do so, and when he went inside defendant lifted him off a chair he was sitting on, pushed him out into the scullery, and afterwards outside the outer door. Witness went down towards the hotel, and tried to reason with defendant, who followed him there, but he would listen to nothing and witness came to town and reported what had occurred. In reply to the Bench defendant said that the baili it's statement was incorrect. The man came to the house the worse for drink, and during the evening he told defendant that he had nothing to do with the place and that he (complainant) was in charge. Complainant had been messing about with some cream and butter, when defendant spoke to him. Afterwards he refused to allow the children to get to the table to learn their lessons, and he (defendant) then lifted him off the chair, but did not attempt to turn him out. Complainant observed to his Worship that the statement made by defendant was untrue. In reply to the Bench Mr McKuight, head bailiff, said that complainant had been employed by him for about two years and a half, and he was as sober and temperate a man as there was in Christchurch. He was perfectly sober on the same afternoon when he came to him to report the matter. Defendant had assaulted a bailiif similarly about nine years (ago. Defendant told his Worship that the only witness he could call was his wife, whom ho had not brought to town. lined 40s.