MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1093, 31 December 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, December 31. [Before Q. L. Lee and F. Hobbs, .Esqs., J.P.’s.] Drunkenness. —John Taylor was fined 20s. John Williams, against whom there were twenty-five previous convictions, was sentenced to one months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. T. H. Toppin was fined ss. Three first offenders were each fined ss. Lunacy from Drink. —John Brown, brought up on a charge of this nature, was ordered to be sent to Lyttelton for one week for medical treatment. Assault. —William Peter Smith was charged with having violently assaulted Elizabeth Hannah Smith the previous night at Addington. The parties were living together as man and wife, and late on Sunday evening he struck her in the forehead with some sharp instrument, inflicting a deep wound. Inspector Hickson said there were a number of witnesses which he would desire to call, and as there had been no time to prepare the evidence, he would ask for a remand. Remanded until Thursday next. Horses and Cattle at Large. —For permitting horses and cattle to wander at large, the following persons were each fined 5s : —James Nee, H. Brown, R. McCausland, D. Howard, A. Mole, B, Qregan, W. J. Stevens, R. Macpherson, Q. Drew, and N. Sale.

Miscellaneous. —John Foster, jun., summoned for neglecting to keep a light burning on a heap of shingle in Montreal street, was fined 10s ; a second charge of a similar nature against the same defendant was adjourned for a week, to enable him to summon some persons who had broken the lamps. William Davis, for only having one light on his cab on the night of the 19th instant, was fined 10s. Edward Qreaves, summoned for bringing in eighteen unbranded sheep to the Addington Saleyards, in contravention of the Scab Act, was fined Is and costs, as the sheep inspector did not desire to press the case. Assault. —Francis Qallonlay was charged with assaulting Andrew Young. The defendant asked for an adjournment as he only received the summons on Saturday last, and had not had time to supcena witnesses. Case adjourned until Thursday next. Throwing Stones. —Daniel Wilson and Hugh Wilson, two young lads, were charged with throwing stones at Sydney Hunt. The complainant stated that on the 7th December he was riding on the South town belt when defendants threw some stones at him, striking the horse on the leg and laming him. A witness, called for the defendants, stated that on the morning in question he heard the boy Daniel Wilson tell Hunt that he would have him fined for riding on the footpath. Hunt then tried to ride over him, and Wilson took up a stone and threw it at him. He (Wilson) had another in his hand, but had not time to throw it before Hunt galloped round the corner. Case dismissed. Neglecting to Support his Mother. — Michael Murphy was charged with neglecting to contribute towards the support of his aged mother. Mrs Murphy stated that an order had been made against her son for 7s 6d per week, and for the last four weeks she had not received one penny from him. During the whole of that time she had only had four shillings, which her son John had given her. The Bench ordered the arrears with costs to be paid forthwith, in default an immediate distress to be levied. LYTTELTON. Monday, December 31. (Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.) ~ Vagrancy. —David Qrey was charged with being illegally on the railway premises, and sentenced to fourteen days’ hard labour.