MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1340, 31 May 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHEISTCHUECH. Fbiday, Mat 31. TBefore G-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Destituie Peesons Ekliej? Act.—William Chapman was charged with failing to .provide adequate means of support for his wife and child. Martha Chapman, wife of accused, deposed that he was always drinking and threatening to ill use her. On Tuesday afternoon he came home stupidly drunk, and dragged her by the hair of the head. He had provided very little for her support, and had very little furniture in his house. He is a labourer. He is always saying that he would leave her. She had lain night after night on the floor through fear of his violence. Prisoner said he had only been able to work four days during tin last fortnight. _ His hinds were too Much injured. A witness deposed to the drinking habits of the defendant. Complainant was staying with him, as she had no food in her own house. Sergeant Morrice informed the Bench that prisoner knocked his wife about very much, and wa» a notorious drinker. The Bench cautioned defendant that he might be imprisoned for six month* with bard labour, hut, on cpndi-

tion that he would provide for his wife, let the case stand over till Tuesday, in order to give him an opportunity of taking the pledge. Travelling without a Railway Ticket. —William Hamilton Barber was charged with being c"runk and disorderly at the Christchurch railway station, also with travelling on the railway without a ticket, and refusing to pay his fare. The evidence showed that defendant had come from Rakaia in a sta'e of intoxication. Ho was find 5s for being drunk, and 27s for travelling without a ticket.