MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1250, 9 March 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

OHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, March 9. [Before a. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunkenness. —A first offender was fined ss. William Elworthy was fined 10s, and Frederick Goulding in a similar amount. Assault. —William Elworthy was charged with assaulting John Willis in Cathedral square. The prosecutor stated that on the previous night, while he was standing in front of the Cathedral, accused, who was drunk, came up, caught hold of him, and threatened to cut his throat with a bowie knife he had in his hand. Had never seen the man before. Sergeant Hughes deposed to taking a large knife out of accused's hand when he arrested him for drunkenness. Fined 20s.

False Pretences. —John McQ.uinn was charged on remand from Lytteltbn.with having obtained a whip and saddle by false pretences from Mr A. Dunbar, Cashel street, Ohristchurch. The prosecutor stated that on 2nd March accused, who used to drive for Mr Bevans, Little River, at one time, came to his shop, asked for a whip, and said lie wanted it for his brother —meaning Mr Bevans—as witness thought the man was a brother to Mr Bevans. Could not now remember positively that accused really mentioned Mr Bevans by name. The whip produced was the same. Valued it at 275. S. Stewart, pawnbroker, deposed to accused pawning the whip produced at his pawn shop on Saturday last. Gave him 8s on it. Detective Smith stated that when he arrested accused at the Head of the Bay, he denied*all knowledge Df'the charge, and said his name was [Bevans. j As he knew that accused was John McQuinn, he arrested him. His Worship said this was one of the cases that must break down. There was no evidence of false pretence to the prosecutor, though accused had no doubt acted fraudently. Tradesmen should be very careful how they parted with their goods to those whom they had no personal knowledge of. Accused would be discharged; but he must be careful how he acted in future. The second charge was withdrawn. Disobeying a Summons. —Hugh O'Neill was charged, on warrant, with disobeying a summons issued from the Resident Magistrate's Court, for his acting as master of a house of ill-fame, off Montreal street, near the South town belt. The first charge was admitted. The evidence of some neighbours showed that they were annoyed all hours at night-time by women and men, in an intoxicated state, fighting in the house of accused, and by persons coming late and asking for the occupiers of the premises. Sergeant Hughes deposed to visiting the place on three occasions in December. Saw persons there of bad repute, all of whom were more or less intoxicated. Accused's wife was summoned at the time, and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Accused was also summoned, but left town at the time, and only returned on. Monday last. There were thirty-three previous convictions against accused, and his Worship fined him £5, or, in default, one month's imprisonment with hard labour.

Tbansfbb ov License.—A temporary transfer of the license of the Black Horse Hotel, Lincoln road, was granted from James Feathers to John A. Hansman.