MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1432, 18 September 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, Septembee 18. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Obscene Language. James Murdoch was charged with using obscene language on the 18th inst. Gilbert Butler said as he was standing at his shop door with his wife about a quarter past eight o'clock, the prisoner passing said, "Come out you ," and used other bad language in the presence of Mrs Butler and another lady. Constable Beaumont said about twenty minutes past eight o'clock he saw the prisoner in Manchester streat shouting, waving his hands, and behaving extravagantly. A young lady came up and he kissed his hand to her. On witness coming up to Mrs Butler's shop at the corner of Manchester and High streets, Mr Butler informed him of the language the prisoner had made use of, and ho (witness) then took him into custody for making use of obscene language. His Worship said the prisoner's conduct was disgraceful, and it was a good thing for him that the young lady he had insulted was not present to prosecute him. He would be fined 20s. Laboeny.—Samuel Henry Richards, remanded from the previous day, was brought up, charged with stealing a diamond ring value £lO, the property of Patrick McCoy. Before proceeding with the case Mr Inspector Hickson said he wished the information amended in the matter of the ring, which had been erroneously set down as of the value of £lO, while in reality it was worth only about 15s. This was amended, and the following witnesses were called. Patrick McCoy being sworn, said—He was a jockey. Last February, and again in March, he was staying at the Zetland Arms. Some time in February he went down to Dunedin, and when he came back he found that his box had been broken open and a ring stolen. This was about the 20th March. He mentioned his loss to Mr Seabright, the landlord of the hotel. Was acquainted with the prisoner, who, he believed was stopping at the hotel in March. Prisoner came from Wellington with him (witness), in February, and put up at the Zetland Arms, and witness believed he was still there when he came back from Dunedin. The ring produced was the one he lost. At that time he thought the ring was worth £lO, but had since ascertained its value was under £l. Prisoner had seen him wearing the ring. Had not since seen the ring until a day or two ago. He had reported the loss of the ring at the police depot. Had neither disposed of nor authorised any person to take it. William Sebright, landlord of the Zetland Arms, being sworn, said that the witness McCoy and prisoner came down from the Wellington races about the 21st or 22nd of February. McCoy went to Dunedin, and about a fortnight afterwards he returned and reported the loss of a ring to him. The prisoner remained in the hotel about a fortnight altogether. Edward Cahill eaid he was a jockey at present residing in Christchurch. He knew McCoy, and also that he had lost a ring, which he, witness, could identify, as he had had it in his possession for about a week in Hokitika. Afterwards saw the ring in the possession of the prisoner in Hokitika. He said Miss Sebright had given it to him. Subsequently saw McCoy in Christchurch, who asked him if he had seen the prisoner in possession of a ring. He said, " Yes; in possession of your ring." McCoy then gave information to the police. Constable Haddrell said he got the ring on the 7th iuet., at the Case, from information he

received. He found it in the possession of a man named McKnight, and, as it answered the description of the one advertised as stolen from McCoy, he took possession of it. It was identified by McCoy on the 14th inst. Subsequently to recovering the ring (witness) received a search warrant authorising him to search prisioner's goods for a stolen ring. Witness stated that on the previous day, as the prisoner was being conveyed to the Depot, he said that he had been charged •with stealing a diamond ring, while he was well aware that the ring in possession of the police was only of the value of 15s. His Worship said as it was a first offence, a light sentence would be inflicted. The prisoner ■was sentenced to one months' imprisonment •with hard labor. LYTTELTON. Wednesday, September 18. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Civil Cases. —Wheeler v Villiers; claim, £4 8s; judgment by default, costs, 10s. Allan v Meredith; claim, £6 14s 6d: judgment for plaintiff by dofault,