MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1421, 4 September 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, September 4. [Before G. L. Mollish, Esq., R.M.] Forgery.— Rowland Augustine O’Hara was charged with forging and uttering. On the application of Inspector Hickson ho was remanded for a week.

Wandering Cattle,— John Kcnnington and Edward Worthy were each fined ss. Horse Not Under Control. —Lawrence Ledwidgo was charged with not keeping control over his horse on the 24th of August. Inspector Hickson informed the Bench that a serious accident had resul' ed from defendant’s carelessness, and that he was the driver of a horse which had been killed some wee 1- 3 ago in Hereford street. He was fined 10s.

Stealing from the Peeson. —Margaret Ellison was charged, on remand, with stealing £8 from the person of Robert Groat. The hearing of this case was, on the application of Inspector Hickson, postponed till after another case, in which V. Bertie was charged with supplying drink to a drunken man, had been disposed of. As Mr Thomas had been engaged to appear in the latter case, and was unable to appear when it was called on, this also was post poned. Breach of Public-house Ordinance. — Joseph Oram Sheppard was charged with serving drink to a person while intoxicated, on September 2nd, Ellen Anderson deposed— I know a man named Groat’. I was with him at the White Hart on Sunday evening. We two and another woman had three drinks, which “Hughey” supplied. Groat paid for the drinks. He was the worse for drink, and had had three glasses of beer. The defendant here said he knew nothing of the matter. Robert Groat was now called, but did not answer. He had not been subpccnaed in this case, I but had been in that in which Margaret Ellinson was charged with robbing him. This case was called on pro forma , and as Groat did not appear, a warrant was issued for his arrest; the Court being adjourned for half an hour. [On resuming, the cose against Oram was gone on with ] Robert Groat was sworn. After being reproved by his Worship for not previously appearing, he deposed—l know Mr Sheppard. I was at the White Hart on Monday, and had a drink of whiskey. I came out and returned. I then had another drink of whiskey. I recollect meeting the two women in Court. I had drinks with them at the Forester’s Arms. I don’t recollect doing so at the White Hart. I was not drunk nor was I sober. I don’t recollect having been there. To defendant—l think I was at the White Hart about mid-day, It was after mid-day that I went into the private bar, but I cannot say what time it was. Hugh Doherty, barman at the White Hart, deposed to serving three drinks to the last witness and the two women. Groat was not the “ worse for drink,” otherwise witness would not have served him. The defendant informed the Bench that ho had particularly instructed his servants never to serve a customer when under Ihe influence of liquor. The case was dismissed. Vincenzo Bertie was charged with a similar offence. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant, Ellen Anderson deposed that she, with Margaret Ellison and Robert Groat, had gone to the Foresters Hotel, and Ellison had obtained there a bottle of brandy. [Mr Thomas here called attention to the fact that the information stated that the hottle had been supplied to a “ person,” without naming him or her. Inspector Hickson said the “person” meant was Groat.] Ellison called for the brandy, and Groat paid for it. Mr Berti served it. It was about half-past four. Groat was a little the worse for drink. To Mr Thomas—Groat put down a £l-note. The price was 6s 6d. The bottle was opened in the house. I did not taste the brandy. The other two drank all the brandy. That was in Lewis’s house. The bottle was not opened in the Forrester’s Hotel. Robert Groat deposed that he had obtained a bottle of brandy from defendant. Witness was not exactly sober. The time was after mid-day. Ho had been to the White Hart before that. To Mr Thomas —I had ten £l-notes. I took one of them from the rest. The woman saw them in my hands. I don’t think I concealed them from the woman. I had had two or three drinks before that, but [remember perfectly well iwhat I did. Margaret Ellison deposed that Groat was the worse for drink. He could walk without falling down. The defendant was here sworn and deposed that at the time the man Groat and the others were there lie was absent from the house from the house from dinner time to half-past three or four. He had not served them with a bottle of brandy or seen them. Mr Bertie’s barman deposed that ho (the barman) had supplied Groat, and been paid by Groat, who was “ sober enough for any man to serve him with drink.” He spoke right enough and walked right enough. To Inspector Hickson —He presented no appearance of intoxication to speak of. You could notice a little if you looked closely. His Worship complimented Mr Bertie’s barman on the straightforward manner in which he had given his evidence, and dismissed the case.

SvEAiiiNOt VHOM THE Peeson.— The case against Margaret Ellison, for stealing from the person, was proceeded with, Robert Groat, carpenter, deposed—l changed a £lO note on Monday at the White Hart. I got nine £1 notes and 18s 6d in silver. I don’t know of what bank they were. I recollect going subsequently to prisoner’s house with her and another lady. I had then about £9 10s 6d. Witness then described his having fallen asleep in prisoner’s house. Upon awaking, he missed his money, and accused prisoner of having taken it. To prisoner—l believe I accused the other woman. Both of you wero present. To Inspector Hickson— Tho woman I accused said she had not got the money. I gave prisoner £l, which I took from the others, putting these back into my pocket, I went away from the house, and told Detectives Benjamin and Walker, who returned with me to the house, where we found prisoner. I saw Detective Benjamin take a purse from her, and count the money out of it to Detective Walker. Other money was taken from her. To prisoner—You asked mo to go home with you. lam certain you took the money. The other woman did not. To the Court. —Both women were present when I gave prisoner £l. Helen Anderson deposed that she had been living with the prisoner in Lewis’s house in Salisbury street. She, with prisoner, had mot the last witness at the White Hart at half-past two on Monday last. They all three left about half-past four, and went to Lewis s house. Groat had about £lO. Witness confirmed the evidence of previous witness, but said that prisoner took all tho prosecutor’s money when lie gave her £l. At this stage his Worship said that he considered witness was in so muddled a state of mind that her evidence was not to bo relied upon, and ordered her to bo looked up till the next day. He also cautioned Groat to appear punctually at tho time of the opening of tho Court, and to bo in a sober condition.

LYTTELTON. Wednesday, Septembeh 4. [Before W. Donald, Esq., E.M.] Civil. —Pope v Schmidt, claim TI 10s; judgment by default, with costs 9s._ Elam v Johnston, claim £5 14s 4d (rehearing) ; Mr Naldor for defendant j no appearance of plaintiff,