MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1257, 18 March 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Maech IS. [Before Dr. Deamer and John Anderson, Esq., J.P’s.] Drunkenness —Mary Brown was fined 20s, and Patrick Butler 40s. Two first offenders were each fined 5s ; and one 10s, who had been admitted to bail. Horses and Cattle at Large.— For permitting horses and cattle to wonder at large, the following persons were each fined 5s: —John Hickr.ott, Arthur Huston, E. George, G. R. Drew, J. Stevenson, and J. B. Nisbett.

Miscellaneous. --An information against John Inglis, for driving a carriage across the footpath at the Railway Station was dismissed, in the absence of the Railway constable ; for obstructing the Springfield road with his horse and cart, S. Pykett was fined 10s. Obscene Language. —Joseph Hannon was charged with using obscene language within hearing of a public thoroughfare. Inspector Hickson told the Bench that he was credibly informed that defendant had taken the pledge for life, and he would ask for an adjournment to see how defendant would conduct himself for a few weeks. Case adjourned until Ist April. Matthew Robson, summoned for attempting to get into a railway carriage while in motion, was fined 10s. Neglected Children. —B. A. Collee, master of the Industrial School, applied lor an order against George Wadsworth to compel him to contribute towards the support of his two children, inmates of that institution. Sergeant Beck stated that defendant was an excellent workman, and got the highest wages when he would work,*but he was constantly getting drunk. Order made for defendant to pay 10s per week. Borough Stage Ordinance.— Christopher Dalwood was summoned, at the instance of Henry Reynolds, for carrying four passengers in excess of his licensed number. Complainant stated that on the 10th instant, when passing through the cutting at Sumner, he counted forty-four passengers on defendant’s ’bus, 4 while he was only licensed to carry forty. Ini reply to defendant, complainant said he was« driving another ’bus at the time, and, thougM trotting slowly past, could count forty passengers while passing. A witness, called by defendant, stated that lie saw<£*«fOod count thirty-eight tickets on that aay. Mr Scrimshaw, who held the reins for defyi..' nt on that trip while he collected the ticy .-ts, said that on his return to the box he saw Dalwood count thirty-eight tickets, wliich he had collected in his hat. Defendant told the Bench that complainant was one of Ball’s men, who was envious of him (defendant), and took this means to annoy him. Case dismissed. Assaults. —The following cases were called, but were dismissed in the absence of the parties:—Samuel Lacy against Thomas Mills; Samuel Lacy against Henry Wright; William Rowe against Robert Bougen; and Charles Anderson against Thomas Anderson. Abusive Language. —J. J. Crew was charged with using abusive and insulting language to Sarah Ann Schmidt on the 28th February. Mr H, Slater appeared for defendant, who keeps a house of ill-fame off the Ferry road. Defendant took two persons to the house on the night in question, and the language complained of hud arisen through a fare owing, it was said, by an inmate of complainant’s house to defendant. This person was called by Mr Slater, who stated that about twelve mouths ago defendant charged her 15s for driving her from the railway gates to the post-office. She had paid him this amount at the time, and this night he wanted to charge her again for it. Two witnesses called by defendant stated that they were in complainant’s house on this night, and heard a conversation about a, fare of 7s 6d, but no abusive language wa,s ua.ed by defendant. Defendant Baade a statement to the Bench (n which he stated that he had only been to complainant’s house on the date mentioned, since he got his license; that he had repeatedly refused to drive the person alluded to in liis cab, as she would not pay him the 7s 6d owing to him, and that he had never driven her to the post-office as stated by her. Mr Slater applied for an adjournment to produce rebutting evidence, and the Bench adjourned the case for a week.