MAGISTRATES' COURTS

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1265, 8 April 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, April 8. [Before G. L. M elfish, Esq., R.M 3 Drunkenness— John Carey was fined 40s ; Edward Goodacre, 10s, and cab hire Is fid ; and James Finn, ss. A first offender was also fined ss. Lunacy from Drink— John Downey, who had been remanded on this charge and was now recovered, was discharged. Transfer of License.— On the application of Mr Thomas, a temporary transfer of the license of the Borough Hotel was granted from Wm. Power to John Barrett. Horses and Cattle at Large. —For permitting horses and cattle to wander at large, the following persons were each fined 5s ; —James Dennot, G. Drew, John Tetley, Wm, Clifford, John Dolan, A. Headson, J Pillow, W. A. Merriman, R. Butcher, G, Yennall, J. Morrison, R. Kinchin ; J. Miller, on two information, was fined 10s. Obstructing a Thoroughfare— Edwd. George, sumomned for obstructiug the footpath with a case of goods, was fined 10s. Driving Beyond a Walking Pace.— Thomas Hazard, summoned for driving taster than a walking pace at the corner of Colombo and Hereford streets, was fined 10s. Absent from Cab. John Gomerson was charged with being absent from his cab in the Ilazeldean road. Defendant admitted the offence, but said he was ignorant of the regulations. He should have been summoned for the 16th and not the 251 h March. Case dismissed. Failing to Comply with an Order.— Abel Joy was charged on summons with failing to pay 15s per week towards the support of his two children in the Industrial School, as ordered by the Court. Mr R A. Coilee, master of the school, said defendant’s children had been in the institution for fourteen months. He had not paid one penny, as ordered by the Court, and seemed as if he did not intend doing so. He had heard that defendant spent what money he earned in drink. Defendant, in reply to the Bench, said he had not been able to work much, but had had a drink now and then. He suffered a great deal from his feet. Con stable Brooks stated that he knew defendant had been offered some work, and borrowed a spade to do it, which he aftewards sold for drink. So long as he could raise money to havea“booze” he never allowed workto trouble him. The arrears amounted to £8 ss, and his Worship ordered him to pay that am unt forthwith ; in default, one month’s imprison merit with hard labor. Abusive Language. —Henry Dodd was summoned for preventing J. P. Oiliver from taking a fare at the railway station, and also with using abusive language towards him. Mr Deacon appeared for the defendant Complainant stated that on the 27th March Mr Robison hailed him, on the arrival of a train, and defendant, who was immediately behind him, drove his cab in front of him. When remonstrated with afterwards he used the language complained of. Mr Robison called, said his impression was that he had hailed the defendant on the occasion referred to. Through the absurd regulations existing at the railway, he was not enabled to got out of the station the nearest way with his luggage, hence the reason of defendant’s cab —which was not first on the stand —being the nearest to him. Beyond a squabble between the men, he heard no abusive language used. Constable Armishaw, called, stated that he had often reason to complain of Oiliver rushing off the stand out of his turn when any cab was called. The case of taking a fare was dismissed, complainant to pay 19a costs. In the case of abusive language, his Worship fined Dodd Is and costs. Chimney on Fire— John Green was summoned, on the information of Mrs Louisa Wood, with allowing his chimney to catch fire. The parties are neighbors. Defendant had given evidence against complainant on a recent occasion in Court, and attributed (lie present information to that circumstance. Defendant denied that his chimney had been on fire. A witness corroborated this statement. Case dismissed. Driving on the Footpath.—A case against Henry Dodd, summoned for driving on the footpath at the railway station, was dismissed. Assaults. —James Hicks was summoned for assaulting Louisa Hall. The parties live together in the Ferry road, and on the Ist April he struck her violently. Defendant admitted having struck the woman, but said he had been very much provoked by the complainant returning home with a quantity of drink, which she and another woman drank until they got beastly drunk. She went away the same night, and did not return for several days. His Worship told defendant he had no right to strike the woman, and fined him ?0s and costs. William Atkinson, a young lad, was charged with striking another lad named Thomas Johnson. The boys carry round milk, and a misunderstanding had arisen through defendant’s horse being let loose, and complainant with other boys riding him. His Worship told Atkinson that if complainant had been his own size, ha would not have struck him. Ordered to pay 6s fid costs.