MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1372, 9 July 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tpesday, July 9. [Before 0-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dbunkknness.—John Thatcher was fined 20a ; Ellen Jordan (against whom thirty-three previous convictions had been recorded) was fined 40a; John Sullivan was fined 40s ; Peter McGWI was fined J.os ; James Light (who was severely reprimanded by the Bench for the bad example he was giving to his daughter, a little girl whom he takes with him into public houses) was fined 10s. A first offender was fined ss. Caroline McDonald, who had been behaving in a demented manner from the effects of drinking, but whom Dr. Coward did not consider sufficiently insane for detention, was discharged. Labcent.—Thomas Claydon was charged with stealing a coat and sundries, value £3 10s; also £1 in money, the property of William Whitley. William Whitley deposed —I have been staying at the Oxford Hotel. I was playing skittles yesterday. I took off my coat and left it, rolled up, upon the table. The prisoner was in the skittle alley at the time. It was about nine o'clock. After a little time I went for my handkerchief, and then missed the coat. Prisoner was no longer there. Besides the handkerchief there were in the pockets two cigars cases, a pocket book, a pencil-case, a red silk handkerchief, a cigarholder, and a £1 note. I then went in search of prisoner, whom I saw next sitting on a table in the City Hotel, with the coat besides him. I asked him what he was going to do with the coat. He replied by asking mc if I waß going to have a drink. I refused. He left the hotel, and I followed him down Colombo street. At about Keeee's he turned round and threatened to knock me down if I followed him any further. We had a tussle, and I held him till a constable came. Witness identified the articles he had named, and gave their value as above, £3 10s. Prisoner had been playing at skittles when I went in to the alley, and had lost, but had no money to pay for the game, or for the drinks. I don't wish to press the charge. John Connell, acting barman at the City Hotel on Monday night, deposed that prisoner had brought in a woman and had drinks, fcr which he tendered in payment a two shilling piece. He had a second drink, for which he tendered a £1 note. Witness could not identify the note, which was given by him to the manager. Prisoner was neither drunk nor sober. Constable O'Connor deposed to having come up to the prosecutor and prisoner while struggling together in Colombo street. Arrested prisoner and searched him at the watch-house. Found upon him some of the articles produced, and 14s. The handkerchief and ccat were ou the footpath in Colombo street. Prisoner said that lie had taken the coat by mistake. When arrested prisoner wt. 3 dreesed as ho appeared in Court. Prisoner was aßked what ho had to say. He said he did not know what he was about, aa he was drunk when he took the

coat. The coat he now was wearing was not his own. He could get a good character from sever places. Inspector Hickson said nothing was known by the police against the prisoner. He was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. ______ LYTTELTON. Ttjksday, July 9. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Assault. —James Robinson was charged with assaulting Henry Barker on July 2. The quarrel arose through prosecutor, who is employed by the Borough Council, impounding defendant's cattle. The Bench fined Robinson 20s and 5s costs* A cross charge brought by Robmson againft Barker was dismissed. BrKACH OF PUBLIC-HOUSE OIiDINANCE. J. C. Farquharson, of the British Hotel, was charged with keeping his house open on Sunday, June 20. The witnesses called stated that no drinks had been supplied to them. Case dismissed.