MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1306, 27 May 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, May 27. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq , R.M.] Drunkenness. —Two first offenders were fined severally os. John Lane and George Hawkins were fined 20s each. Thomas Turner, alias Tanner, and John Punyou, were fined 10s each. Against these lists, more or loss lengthy, were handed in by the Inspector, William Burrell, who, when called np, appeared to he still suffering from the effects ot dunk, was ordered to be looked up. Vagrancy. Johanna Gallagher, alias Connor, was convicted of vagrancy. A long list of previous comictions was handed in, and she was sentenced to twelvemonths’ hard labour.

Annoying Railway Passengers.—Daniel Wright was charged with behaving in a violent and offensive manner, to (Ee annoyance of passengers and others at the Christchurch

railway station. The arre c ting constable proved that the offence was committed on Saturday afternoon, on (he arrival of the port train. A witness for the defence deposed that no blows had been struck by defendant, who had been assaulted by others. The Bench fined defendant 10s.

Stealing from the Person. Henry Russell, alias Buchanan, alias Stewart, and Q-eorge Lowden, were again brought up on the charge of stealing £4 from the person of William Bonberry. The following additional evidence was taken : —Hugh Doherty, barman at the White Hart Hotel, deposed—l believe prosecutor was in the hotel on Wednesday. A man on Tuesday changed a cheque for £io 12s 9d or £lO 12s 6d. He had three or four drinks. I gave the change to Mr Sheppard. He seemed sober to me. There were three gentlemen together; they were sober. I cannot say the prisoners were the other two. They had on’y one drink each. They might have been there only seven minutes. James Harry Parker, salesman at London House, deposed—l recognise nrosecutor as having been in the shop on Tuesday about ten in the morning. He purchased clothing to the amount of £3 18s 9d. I went to the bootshop next door with: him, and he got some boots. I did not notice any person waiting for him. William Thomas, bootmaker in Cashel street, deposed—Prosecutor was in my shop on Tuesday about ten in the morning. He purchased a pa ; r of boots. He gave me a note, and I gave him 2s change. I believe he took the note from several others. I did not notice anvone join him when leading. Herman Hareptfluisch, barman at the Wellington Hotel, deposed—Prosecutor stayed at the Wellington for two or three nights. He was there on Tuesday afternoon between half-past one and two. Three persons were with him. Prisoner Russell was with him. [Lowden —I was in his [company too.] ‘I can recognise the other, but would not swear that the prisoner Lowden is the same. They had two drinks each. Prosecutor did not pay for them. He was the worse for drink. The others were quite sober. Prosecutor left the hotel in company with the others about twenty minutes past three in order to catch the four o’clock train for Lyttelton. To Lowden— There was another person with prosecutor besides you two. I remember an altercation about a dog. Prosecutor threatened to give a man in charge. Yincent Belgrave, of the Crown Hotel deposed—l last saw the nrisoners in the Crown Hotel some time after three I think. Prosecutor was in their company. There was not a fourth man with them. They called for three drinks in the bar parlor. I took them in, and prosecutor paid me for them, I could hardly tell whether he was sober. The other two appeared to be sober. They remained very nearly an hour. They called for three more drinks, but I took in soda water for prosecutor, as he was too drunk to take any more. I don’t know that he drank any of it. He wanted to know when the last train left for Lyttelton. They left together—close together. They had previously poured a jug of water over his head. They went in the direction of Colombo street. Prosecutor paid for the first drinks and Lowden for the other. It was between four and half-past four when they left. To Russell—There were only two rounds of drink. [Russell —We had two glasses of whiskey after that.] To Lowden—You said the prosecutor had better have no more. William Roderick Bonberry, a seaman, deposed—l have not been following the sea for some time. I have been staying at the Wellington for some time. I received from Mr Mitchell lately a cheque for £lO 12s 9d or fid. I cashed it in a public-house of which I don’t know the name. I was not thoroughly sober when I changed it. I bought clothes and boots. I remember these men being in the Wellington Hotel with me. I remember rolling up £4 and putting it into my pocket. I had that when I went to the Wellington Hotel and a half-sovereign with some silver. I don’t know how much silver I might have had. I don’t recollect anything more after leaving the Wellington only that they (the prisoners) were in my comnany. The only thing I remember was Mr Bashford asking me if I had lost any money. I remember putting my hand into my pocket and saying “Yes, I have lost four pounds.” I was pretty drunk, and only have a fam recollection of what occurred. I should not like to swear to anything I am not sure of. I never saw these men before. To Russell—l don’t recollect telling anyone that I was not robbed. When asked what they had to say, Russell said that he was quite innocent. Lowden said he had never been in trouble before. He had worked hard for his money. He made a statement as to the prosecutor having been drinking with them (the prisoners) and others. He knew nothing about throwing away the two notes. The Inspector handed in a list of previous convictions against Russell. The Bench remarked that Lowden had been convicted of vagrancy once. The Bench had no doubt of the guilt of prisoners, and sentenced them—Russell to six months’ imprisonment, and Lowden to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour in each case. Nuisance. The case against William Wilson, for creating a nuisance on his premises in the Ferry road, was adjourned for two months.

City By-Laws. —David Muller, Charles Dumergue and William Jackson, who were charged with driving round corners of streets “at beyond a walk ” were finedss each. The inspector stated that unless a constable was stationed permanently at each street corner it would be impossible to stop persons breaking the by-law. Ninety-four cases had been brought before the Court, and his Worship had dismissed them all but seven. He would ask his Worship for the future to impose such a penalty as would be likely to have the effect of stopping the nuisance. Randall Roswaine, for riding on a footpath, was fined 10s, and Herbert Jones, for cattle trespass, was fined ss,

Failing to Suppoet.—William Hawkins was charged with failing to support his illegitimate female child, the daughter of Annie Gfaghan. Ho denied the paternity. After hearing the evidence the defendant was ordered to pay 7s fid a week towards the support of the child till fourteen years of age. J. J. Holding was charged with not supporting his illegitimate child, the} daughter of Martha Worger. Dr. Foster appeared for plaintiff, Mr Izard for defendant. After hearing evidence his Worship adjourned the case till Thursday. Matthew Moorshead was similarly charged by Arabella Williams. This case had been previously adjourned, in consequence of the non-appearance of the plaintiff. Now defendant did not appear, but plaintiff did. As the plaintiff stated that she had no corroborative evidence, she was recommended to take legal advice before proceeding further. Abusive Language. Margaret Fowke was charged with using abusive language to Benjamin Verdon. Plaintiff is son-in-law of defendant. The evidence disclosed family differences. In hopes that matters could be amicably arranged his Worship remanded the case for a week.

Damaging Artesian Welt. —Alfred Peppenll was charged with damaging the pipe o£ an artesian well, the property of William Gimbletfc, of Woolston. Mr Izard appeared for defendant. For the defence evidence was given which proved an alibi. The Bench dismissed the case with coats.

Crossing a Channel —Samuel Pyketfc was charged with driving a cart across a channel in St. Asapli street. He admitted the charge, and was fined os and costs Is 6d.