MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1377, 15 July 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday, Judy 15.

[Before GK L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and J. P. Jameson, Esq., J.P.] Deuknenness. —Catherine McDonald and Ellen Jordan were fined 60s each. Henry Lewis was fined 40s, and for using obscene language in a public street was fined 20s. John Henry Baker was fined 40s. A first offended was fined 5s for being drunk, and 30s for using obscene language. Vagrancy. Robert Park was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. He had given himself up at five o’clock on Sunday morning, having no money, and bing cold and hungry, He had been in the Asylum, and his mind appeared to be still deranged. He was remanded for medical examination.

Malicious Injury to Property.— -Henry Saunders was charged with pulling a window blind down at a house in High-street. The evidence showed that he had been drinking, and was helped in committing the offence by two others. Mr Simpson, whose blind was pulled down, estimated the damage at 2s 6d. Inspector Hickson asked for a severe punishment, as similar offences are of two frequent occurrence. Prisoner was fined 40s and ordered to pay 2s 6d. Lunacy rr’oji Drink.— Phillip Gear was brought up on remand, aud handed over to the care of his friends, with a caution to guard him from drink. Larceny. —Thomas Mallinson was charged with stealing a coat of tho value of 20a. Win. Burrall, of Sumner, deposed that on Thursday last ho left his trap near the old lire brigade station in Christchurch. There was a great coat in the trap. Witness missed the coat in tho afternoon, and had not seen it till shown it in court. Ho one was authorised to take it. S. D. Nathan, pawnbroker, deposed to prisoner pledging the coat produced. Sergeant Beck deposed to arresting prisoner, who, when told tho charge against him, said he did not pawn the coat, and afterwards ( hat be did not know where he got the coat. Prisoner pleaded guilty, but said that when be took the coat he was under the influence of drink. He was sent to prison for fourteen days, with hard labour. Arthur Wellington Palmer was charged with stealing from a dwelling wearing apparel of tho value of £4 10s. Mangus Petersen, carpenter, deposed that he lodged at Bligh’s restaurant, where on Thursday last he had left a hat, coat, trousers, and vest. [Prisoner here said he would plead guilty in this case, and also in another in which he was charged with stealing a gun and coat of the value of £s.] Herbert Leslie Straker, wool sorter, deposed that prisoner rented a couple of rooms with him. Tho gun and coat produced were left by witness in these rooms on Saturday fortnight, and subsequently missed. Tho Bench sentenced prisoner to one mouth and three months for the several offences.

City By-laws.—Robert Allen was charged with furiously riding in Whately road, on the sth of July. He pleaded that the horse had bolted. The offence was proved, a witness deposing that a little boy was knocked down by defendant’s horse. The particulars of the case have already been published. For the defence, Henry Merrin deposed that the horse was running away and deiendaut was doing all he could to pull it up. The Bench dismissed the defendant, cautioning him to be careful what horses ho rode. William Robert Turner, for having a horse at large, was fined 10-s and ordered to pay 3s expense of witness. Eliza lies, for allowing her chimney to catch fire, was fined 10s. Robert Hisbett, for obstruc'ing Colombo street with a horse and cart, was fined 10s. Harry Chislett was charged with driving on the wrong side of the the road. This was the case in which a horse was killed in Manchester street, the particulars of which, as reported to the police, have already been published. For the defence, evidence was given to show that Chislett was on his right side of tho road, and that the accident was not occasioned through any fault of his. The Bench dismissed tiie case. Cattle Trespass.—'lhomas A. Alsopp was fined ss.

Rape,— Timothy Houlihan was charged, on remand, with this offence upon a little girl.

The evidence of the parentis of the child, of Dr. Symes, and of Detective Walter, was taken, and. after it had been read over, the prisoner was duly cautioned and asted the usual question. Ho said —“ lam as innocent of that charge ns your Worship, sitting on that bench. It is only a trap laid for me. lam as innocent as a child born last night, which she (the wotlici) could tcii if she liked. I am innocent before God and man.” He was committ ed to t ake his trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supremo Court. [Left sitting.]