MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1252, 23 March 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Satubday, Maech 23. [Before G-. L. Mellish, Esq., B.M.] Attempting Suicide. —Alfred Newman was charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking a dose of carbolic acid. Mr Walton, assistant to Messrs Wallace and Co., chemists, stated that'on Thursday afternoon last accused came to the shop and asked for sixpenny-worth of carbolic acid, saying it was for dUinfcc ing purposes. Witness told him that it would then do in the rough, and he said no, he wanted it in eolution. Witness gave him the acid in a phial and marked it it " Carbolic a id, poison." The man looked as if he had been drinking. H. E. Nathan, auctioneer, deposed to accused beii g v«ry troublesome at the auction rooms on Thursday last. He got witness to take care of a watch for him, and on his return once or|twice he tried to get at some samples of beer in the rooms. Witness, seeing the man was slightly under the influence of drink, told him to call back for his articles the following day. _ He then made some noise, and witness had him turned out. After a little time he came back and drank something out of a bottle, saying at the same time that he was "done for." A constable was called and the man taken to *he Hospital. Accused had evidently been drinking. Dr. Collinß, house surgeon at the Hospital, stated that accused was brought to the Hospital in a cab on Thursday last. He seemed to be lying all of a heap, and, after examining him, witness could see that he had taken carbolic acid, as stated by the constable. Witness had the man taken out, administered the necessary antidotes, and had him put to bed. From the absurd statements made by the man, it was evident that he was suffering from drink as well as from poison. Accused rallied during the night, and was comparatively well next morning. In reply to Inspector Ilickson, Dr. Collins said that carbolic acid was not generally of a uniform strength, only in the crystalised state, and it would depend on the strength whether the quantity taken would be sufficient to destroy life. The dose accused had taken was evidently strong, from the effect it had on his mouth and throat. In reply to the Bench, accused said he was Borry to say he had been drinking, and did not know what he was doing at the time. It would be a warning to him for the future, and if his Worship would let him go he would promise to take the pledge. His Worship said he would do so on the understanding that he would perform his promise. On a charge of drunkenness, which had also been preferred, accused was fined 10s. Neglected Children. Emily Edith Bowen, aged thirteen years, and Frederick Wm. Bowen, aged eleven years, were charged with being neglected children under the Act. It appeared from the evidence that the mother of the children led a dissolute life, and her example had been the means of two daughters going to the bad. A woman of ill-fame lived in the house with the mother and children. His Worship said he would try at least to save the girl from the fate of her sisters. She would be sent to the Industrial school for two years, and the boy for three years. LYTTELTON. [Before W. Donald, Esq., 8.M., J. T. Bouse, andT. H. Potts, Esqs., J.P's.] Satubday, Mabch 23. Assault.— J. Perrin was charged with assaulting a seaman belonging to the Pleiades named Jacob Basmussen. Accused was chief officer of the Pleiades, and the offence was alleged to have taken place on January 4th, during the passage of the ship from London to Lyttelton. Mr H. N; Nald( r appeared for the defence. The Bench after hearing evidence dismissed the case. Cattle Tbespass Frederick Beechy, for having two head astray in Governor's Bay road, was fined 10s and 43 costs. Wm. Cowlin, for having one head astray, was fined 5s and 4s costs. Jameß Manson, for having three pigs astray, was fined 10s and costs, 4s. Civil Cabes. —Nelson v Sandford, claim £9 12s Gd ; Mr H. N. Naider for plaintiff; judgment for plaintiff for amount and costs 14s, solicitor's fee 21s.