MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1428, 12 September 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, September 12. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M., and E. Currie, Esq., J.P.] Vagrancy.— Ellen Parkson and George Lowden, alias James Neill, were charged with vagrancy, being the occupiers of a house frequented by thieves and persona having no lawful visible means of support. Constable Brooks deposed that prisoners had been arrested by him in a house off Montreal street. He had frequently received complaints of the disorderly conduct of the inmates, and last night these complaints were renewed. Both prisoners bore bad characters. The evidence of several neighbours as to the annoyance caused by the frequenters of the house was given. Detective Walker described the man as a loafer, and the woman as a thief and prostitute. The Bench gave both prisoners twenty-four hours to leave Christchurch. Assault. —Thomas Foss was charged with a violent assault, causing grievous bodily harm, upon Thomas Langdon, at Papanui, on the 10th September. At the request of Inspector Hickson the case was remanded for eight days, as the prosecutor was unable to attend. Forging and Uttering.— ln the case of Rowland Augustine O’Hara, charged with forgery and uttering, and remanded from the previous day, the Resident Magistrate said ho had received a report from the gaol surgeon that prisoner was of unsound mind. He recommended that O’Hara should be examined by the doctors. Drs. Turnbull and Powell having examined him give the necessary certificates of insanity. The case was formally called on, and prisoner was remanded under section 7 of the Lunacy Act, pending an order from the Colonial Secretary for his committal to the Lunatic Asylum.

LYTTELTON. Tuesday, Septembee 12. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Refusal op Duty—Henry Stevens, an apprentice belonging to the barque Lutterworth, was charged with this offence. After hearing the evidence of the master and the mate of the vessel, the Bench sentenced the accused to a week’s imprisonment.