MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1426, 10 September 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, September 10. [Before GK L. Mellish, Esq., R M.] Drunkenness. —William Wright and Elizabeth Bennett were fined 40s and 20s Assault.— J. B. Waterlow was charged with having violently assaulted H. Coughlan. Herbert Goughian, steward of the Christchurch Club deposed—The prisoner has been waiter at the club. Last night I spoke to him about liquor —that he had no business taking liquor into the kitchen without my authority. Prisoner gave me impudence, and I threatened to dismiss him. He then struck me twice with a bell, which he then threw at me. When he struck me the bell inflicted a severe scalp wound. To Prisoner— I don’t know that I was on the top of you when George Lane came in. You were under me at one time. Aou rushed me first. I did not strike you first. 1 did not accuse you of going to the cook and saying that he was to have no more drink. I refused to go to the cook. I did not say when I had you down that I could kill you it I chose. George Lane, waiter at the Club, deposed— That he had seen prisoner with the bell. He could not say whether prisoner struck prosecutor or not. Prosecutor told witness to take the bell away from prisoner, but he (witness) did not like to interfere. Witness afterwards saw prosecutor’s head bleeding. He had seen nothing of the scullle. To prisoner—As I entered the room you were both on the floor. I don’t know who was on the top, the door was closed too suddenly. I cannot say that I heard prosecutor say he could kill you. To Inspector Hickson—l have not told any person that I saw prisoner strike the steward with the bell. I told the constable that prisoner threw the bell, but that was a mistake, I wanted to correct the statement last night, but the constable said I could do so in Court. Defendant made a statement to the effect that the steward and he had words about the cook having drink. The steward was constantly “ driving ” him, and struck him first. The steward had clutched him by the throat, and struck him on the cheek. His Worship fined prisoner £5, and ordered him, in default, to be imprisoned for ten days with hard labour.