MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1205, 14 January 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, January 14. [Before A. Lean and F. Hobbs, Esqrs., J.P’s.] Vagrancy. —Charles Dees was charged with vagrancy and soliciting alms. Evidence was given to show that accused had visited the premises of several citizens begging for relief. It was also deposed that he tried the doors and windows of other houses in the absence of the occupiers. Prisoner promised to leave the place if he was let off this time. He had done nothing wrong, and meant no harm. There had been six previous charges against him, but under all the circumstances, the Bench decided to give him another chance, and dismissed him.

Disorderly —Albert Chadband was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday. Six previous convictions had been recorded against him. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 40s.

Drunkenness. —Two first offenders were fined ss. Another, who had fallen off the Sumner coach, was similarly punished. Breach op Railway By-Laws— David Thomas pleaded guilty to having entered a railway carriage when the train was in motion. Eason, guard of the Ashburton train, proved the offence. Defendant stated that he was a new comer, and was not aware of any by-law forbidding what he had done. At the speed at which New Zealand trains travelled he could see no danger in getting on to the train when in motion. He had been in the habit of doing so in Australia, where he had been a contractor for 200 miles of railway, —The Bench deferred their decision till they had heard the next case, and then inflicted a fine of 10s—William James was similarly charged. The case had been heard by Mr Mellish on a previous day, and adjourned.— The Bench decided to further adjourn the case for a week.

Breach of Police Ordinance— Mary Hellerly was charged by Ellen Miller with using abusive and insulting language, calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. This was a neighbour’s quarrel about a chick, the property in which was a matter of dispute. Both parties made their statements, after which the Bench dismissed the case. Destitute Persons Relief Ordinance. —James Mazey was charged with neglecting to support his mother, Martha Mazey, who is unable to support herself. The mother deposed that she was fifty-nine years of age, and could do nothing but a little needlework. Defendant said he was not the only or the eldest son. He had been paying 10s a week till lately, and the other sons gave nothing. The mother said that her eldest son had eight children to support. She had five sons, but three of them did not live in Christchurch. Defendant said he had a wife and three children, and did all he could for his mother. Mrs Ma?ey said she could manage with 7s a week. The case was adjourned for a week, for the appearance of the eldest brother. Municipal Corporations Act.— James Rosser was charged with removing a quantity of earth from a street without permission. John O’Malley proved the charge, and the defendant, who did not appear, in consequence of his being at Dunedin, was fined 40s. —[Mr Lean here left the Bench, and his place was taken by Mr Anderson.] Assault.— Q-eorge Lipsham was charged with violently assaulting Mary Smith on the 31st ult. Mr Harper appeared for defendant. —Mary Smith said she was picking up some sticks, at Lincoln, when defendant knocked her down, and she believed would have killed her, had she not been rescued. Edward Taylor corroborated this evidence. He could not say on whose land prosecutrix was picking up the sticks. Witness rescued her. —Mark Exley, a little boy, gave similar evidence. Defendant put his foot upon prosecutrix’s chest, after he had knocked her down. Defendant was sworn, and deposed that he had sold the land, and been asked to take care of it for the purchaser, He had seen Mrs Smith cutting gorse and asked her to desist. She refused and assaulted him; in defending himself he laid her gently on her back. He had not put his foot upon her chest. He might have struck her in selfdefence. —Mrs Blair was called to give evidence for the defendant. She had not seen the assault, but she heard Mrs Smith refuse to leave the ground whenbrdered. —The Rev. Mr Stocker was called, and deposed to the quiet oi Beach, in

consideration of the amount of costs incurred, lined defendant 20s.

Breaking and Entering. George Stevens, on remand, was charged with breaking and entering the premises of Samuel Stewart, and stealing thence certain articles on the 7fch instant.—Samuel Stewart, pawnbroker, deposed to having a branch eastblishment in Madras street, of which a_ Mr Waite was in charge till the 30th ultimo. He (witness) had on that night locked up the premises. He produced a list ef articles which had disappeared between that date and the morning of the Ith instant. On the Saturday witness with Mr Waite examined the premises and found that, a back window, which had been left nailed up, had been broken open. The value of the missing articles was about £BO. The witness, here identified several articles which were produced Edward Waite identified a number of articles produced. — Henry Alexander identified a number of articles. — John Heaven, bricklayer, residing next door to Mr Stewart’s premises in Madras street, knew prisoner from his lodging in the same house with him. Prisoner had exchanged watches with witness. That was the full extent of their dealings. Witness had just come from Calcutta, and was sometimes known as the “Calcutta Man.” —To prisoner : Witness said he did not sell him a watch.—Detective Walker deposed to having gone to Ashburton in search of prisoner, on the sth inst, from information received. Witness saw him there in the scullery of the Royal Hotel. He was'showing a Brummagem brooch and ear-rings to a man, and was wearing the chain produced. Witness took hold of the chain and said it was a nice one.—Prisoner said “Yes, that’s what you are looking for, Walker, —Witness took prisoner into a room where Sergeant Felton was sitting and told him he must be searched. —Prisoner replied “ I’ll turn it all out,” and took pocket ten silver watches, three ladies’ guards, one Albert guard, a pair of ear-rings, See. After placing them on the table prisoner separated two verge watches and a ladies’ guard, with two other guards from the rest, and said these were his own. Witness then charged him with the robbery from Stewart’s shop.—Prisoner said he had bought the articles produced at a boarding-house, from the last witness, for £B. Prisoner had £6 4s 2d in money. —Inspector Hickson, at this stage, obtained a remand for eight days. [Left sitting.] LYTTELTON. Monday, January 14. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and T. H. Potts, Estp, J.P.] Drunkenness. William Stewart and Alfred Clarke, arrested by constable Bullen, charged with this offence, were fined 20s and 10s respectively. Lunacy from Drunk.—ll. Gilchrist and John Parker were brought up on remand from Christchurch, charged with this offence. Mr Phillips, the chief gaoler, stated that the accused had both recovered, and the Bench dismissed them.