MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1389, 29 July 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

* CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, July 29. [Before Q-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunkenness. — One first offender was fined ss. Laeceny.— Ellen Anderson and Margaret Ellison were charged with stealing a sawing stool, valued at 7s SG, the property of Thos. Geo. Prosecutor deposed to having seen them take the article from his yard in Salisbury street. He followed them, and when he overtook them one was carrying the stool. Ho had several times lost wood. Prisoners here said that they had taken the stool only for fun. Prosecutor’s carter corroborated his evidence. Constable Daley deposed to having arrested prisoners, who, when charged with the offence, said they had taken it for a lark. Several previous convictions against each had been recorded. They were each sent to prison for one month with hard labor. City -By-Laws. —For transgressing bylaws the following were fined : George King, 5s ; W. J. Disher, 10s ; George Smith, 10s; Robert McMegan, ss; John Mulvihill, -5s ; George Lynch, ss. Trespassing on Railway. —John Wills was charged with allowing five sheep to trespass on the South Canterbury Railway. Mr Wynn Williams appeared for the defendant. The fact of the trespassing was admitted. A constable proved that the line was fenced on one side (the defendant’s) with six wires and a wooden rail, on the other side with a sod wall surmounted with gorso. He saw one sheep get through the fence between the third and fourth wire. To Mr Wynn Williams Witnes said the fence was not sheep-proof. Mr Williams pointed out to the Bench that the railway authorities were responsible for keeping the fence in repair. To prove this he called the defendant, who proved that the railway authorities always repaired the fence directly they received notice. Ilia Worship remarked that defendant had not given notice. Mr Williams replied that there was nothing in the Act compelling defendant to do so. The defendant stated that he had not been aware that the wires were slack until ho received the summons. The Bench considered there had been negligence on the part of defendant, though not very gross negligence ; however, under all the circumstances, he would dismiss the case. Railway By-Laws.— James Swanson was charged with smoking in a railway carriage not sot aside for that purpose. There being an error in the date of the information the case was dismissed. George Curbed, who was similarly charged, escaped punishment for the same reason. Window Smashing.— Alice O’Neil was complained of by Ellon Davis for smashing

her windows with a stone. She was fined 20s and ordered to pay 2s damages, costs 6s 6d, and two witnesses 2s 6d each. As she said she would not pay a distress warrant was ordered to be issued. Abusive Language.— Mary Ann Pash was charged with using obscene and indecent language to George S. Boston. She admitted the fact, and was fined 40s, with costs 6s fid. Destitute Persons Belike Act. —A case under this Act was ordered to stand over for a week. Protection Order— Bachel Dowd applied for a protection order on the ground of her husband, Andrew William Dowd, having deserted her for fifteen months. She also wished to have the custody of her children, Andrew and Jane. The orders wore granted. Assault. —Abraham Bradshaw was charged with assaulting Thomas Arnold at the Papanui Hotel, and was fined 40s. He also had to pay costs. Licensing Act— Wm. Bogora was charged with selling brandy, he not having a spirit license. The case had been partly hoard on a previous day. Dr. Foster appeared for the defendant. Mrs Fitzgerald, residing in Colombo House, deposed to giving the brandy under the belief that it was for a sick person. Half-a-crown was paid for the brandy, which did not quite fill a lemonade bottle. She had been told by Mr Rogers never to sell spirits, and had done so on this occasion without his knowledge. The Bench inflicted a fine of £5, and ordered defendant to pay 9s expenses of a witness.