MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1366, 2 July 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH Tuesday, July 2, [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunkenness. —Catherine M'Dormld was was fined 20s; John Sullivan, 40s: and Thomas Green, 10s for this offence. They had each been previously convicted. Obscene Langpaoe.— James F. McFar’ane was charged with using obscene language in a public street. Ho admitted having used violent lenguage, but denied that his words were what wore sworn to by the constable, He was fined 20s. Assaulting a Constable. —Mary Gibson was charged with assaulting Constable Brooks in the execution of his duty. The constable proved the offence, which took place in the Supremo Court gallery. Sergeant Morrice corroborated the evidence of the constable. The prisoner -was evidently suffeiing from 'dementia, and was remanded for medical examination. Later in the morning, she was committed to the Lunatic Asylum. Larceny.— John McGrath was charged with the larceny of a blanket and a pair of boots, the property of James Nolan. James Nolan, labourer, deposed to meeting prisoner, on the 18th or 19th of last month, outside the White Hart, .Prisoner asked witness, who was drunk, .to accompany him homo. Witness left the hotel with prisoner ut about teu

o’clock p.m., and, after getting his swag, went into a half-built house, where they lay down to sleep, wrapping themselves in witness’s blankets. In the swag were three double blankets and other things. Witness had a pair of bools on his feet. He awoke about three or four o’clock in the morning, and discovered that prisoner had decamped. He missed a blanket, a pair of boots, and £4 15s or £4 17s 6d. The blankets produced were the same, and the boots prisoner was wearing in Court were witness’s. Prisoner left a pair of old boots in exchange. One pocket of his trousers was turned inside out, and a button cut off the trousers. Witness had not seen prisoner since. To prisoner—l believe we were at the White Hart on the 18th or 19th, I did not ask you to come for my swag. You did not go into the house with me. I cannot swear, but I think that the house we slept in was in the Ferry road, I did not go into a shop at Garland’s, end get a loaf and an apple, for which I could not pay, I did not tell the boy there that I was hard up, that lam aware. It was not half-past six when I left the White Hart. I did not ask Tom or Dick Palmer to go with me. John Leek, garden labourer, deposed to having seen prosecutor and prisoner together on the 20th or 21st ult., or on the 18th or 19th. Sergeant Scott, of Kaiapoi, deposed to arresting accused on Saturday last, at Kaiapoi, on the warrant produced. Prisoner denied all knowledge of the theft. The blanket produced was claimed by prisoner, who at the time of his arrest was wearing prosecutor’s boots. The Bench sentenced prisoner to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. LYTTELTON. Monday, July 2. [Before W. Donald Esq., R.M.] Drunkenness. —An offender was fined 10s. Neglecting! to Pay for Children’s Supi’oht. —Mr Colee, master of Industrial School, summoned E. Blackler and Thomas Dale, who each had children at the institution, to pay for their support. The Bench ordered defendants to pay £2 per month till the arrears were made up, besides weekly payment, and costs 4s. Cattle Trespass. — W. Pitcaithly, James Higgs, J. Oldfield, and J. Robinson, for allowing cattle and horses to be at large, were fined 5s each, and 4s costs. Breach op Borough By-Laws. —H. Morgan, for having his chimney on fire, was fined 10s and costs.