MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1472, 4 November 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

OHEISTCHUEOH. Monday, Novembeb 4th. (Before Gh L. Lee, Esq , J.P., and his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch.) Dexjnk and Disobdebly.—Seven drunkards, being their first appearance in Court, were fined 5s each. John Seaton, in addition to being fined for drunkenness, was also mulcted in the penalty of 40s for making use of obscene language. Illegally on Pbemises. Charles T. Cockrill was imprisoned for 48 hours for being illegally on the premises of Messrs Hanmer and Harper. Wandebing Cattle. —W. G-arland admitted allowing a horse to wander at large, and was fined ss.

Shbbp Tbesfass.—Henry Trott was summoned for allowing 300 sheep and lambs to wander at large on the Weedon and Springs road, and on the Lincoln and Coal Tramway road, on tho 17th of October. The offence was admitted, and the defendant was fined 10s. Abusivb Language.—J. J. McOlelland was summoned for using abusive and threatening language to J. C. Halmore, calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. The complainant said that on the 12th October he was in Oashel street, when the defendant came up to him and asked why he acted in that " arbitration case " in the way he had done. He replied that he knew nothing of any arbitration case. Defendant reiterated his question. On the defendant mentioning the name of McPherson to him, complainant remembered a transaction in which he hud been interested in the recovery of some arbitration fees some considerable time ago. The defendant had had something to do with this case. On defendant insisting in going into these matters and becoming excited, he advised him to go away and not annoy him further. The defendant then called him names, and made use of the abusive language complained of. The evidence of the complainant was corroborated by his clerk. The defendant asked to be aworn, and made a long statement of circumstances antecedent to the case, but tho Bench considered the language proved, and the defendant was fined 20s. Unbranded Sheep. —William Barnard was summoned for having in his possession 200 sheep unbranded with his registered brand on their wool, contrary to the statute. The defendant admitted the offence, and was fined in the mitigated penalty of 10s. SELWTN COUNTY COUNCIL. •-(Saturday, November 2. The adjourned mom lily meeting of the Selwyn ■County Council was held at half past ten o'clock in the old Provincial Council Climbers. Piesent—Messrs W. ftollcston (in the chair), J. D. fcnys, McMillan, Matthias, E. J. Lee, and Dr. Turnbull. . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. chairman's statement. The Council has now received from the Ashburton Council the draft of the agreement with the ferryman, and you will be asked to sanction the execution of the necessary documents, and also the payment of the subsidy now duo. The Waimate County Council has asked ■that this Council will act in conjunction with other Councils in pressing the Government to pay over at once the arrears due on account of surplus land fund. The Colonial Treasurer has remitted .£BSOB 17s 2d to the county fund, beiug 20 per eent. of the land revenue for the quarter ending September 30th, 1878. An application has been received from the Lincoln Eoad Board to have i 5 acres of Eeserve 219 set apart for a cemetery. This is in lieu of part of Eeserve 343 formerly recommended, which was also applied for by the Eoad Board. The engineer to the Drainage Board has called attention to the state of the boundary road between Avou and Eiccarton districts. It was formerly partof the Eiccarton district, but was withdrawn from the jurisdiction of that Board by proclamation of the Superintendent under the Roads Ordinance, and is now apparently not under the control of any one, A bridge on this road is also said to be in a very dangerous state. A petition has been received from ratepayers of that part of the Upper Waimakariri road district included in the Ashley County, asking to be included in the Selwyn County. Tee treasurer's account for the half-year ending September, duly audited, are placed on the table. The Chairman said it was pretty well known what the Government had done with regard to the surplus land fund and the revision of surveys, so that he need say no further on that head. SLAUGHTERHOUSE REPORT. The report of the inspector of slaughterhouses was read by the chairman. Several new licenses and renewals ol old ones ■were granted, the inspector offering no objection. The inspector was requested to bring up any cases of cruelty that were brought under his notice. dowsin's ford. _ The chairman was requested to communicate with the Ashburton Council to determine the scale of fees to be charged at this lord. The Chairman said a petition had been received from the people living in the vicinity of this ford, praying the Council to construct a bridge, the cost of wheh would probably amount to .£20,000, half of which they believed the Ashburton County Council would defray. It was resolved that a matter of such magnitude should be left to a full meeting of the Council. THE MAL.VEKM WATER RACE. Tbo question of the continuation of this race northward was considered. The engineer was empowered to call tor tenders for contract No. 3, tenders to be sent in before the next meeting of the Council. The engineer was requested to take the levels necessary to settle where the race shall be taken through Sheffield to Waddington. THE RIVER STYX. Mr J. L. Wilson, chairman of the Avon Eoad Board, waited on the Council in reference to the clearing of the Eiver Styx and Capitone creek of weeds, &c ... Mr Wilson said the work was the Council s work, but if they (the Council) determined that it mu-t be done by the Board, of course they would comply. An offer had been made to keep the Styx clear for a twelvemonth for c£loo. Tho cost of clearing the Capitone would be about jBBO. H was a matter of great importance that the work should bn| done at once, as the river and creek wore rapidly tilling up. After discussion, it was resolved that the public drainage necessary should be placed under the control of tho Board, and that the question of subsidy should be postponed for the consideration of the new Council. Mr Wilson thanked the Council and withdrew. THE RAILWAY. TO THE WEST COAST. A letter was read from Mr Job Jebson, asking the Council for an expression of opinion on the subject of the railway to the West Coast, uia the Taipo Pass. , ' The letter was received, and its consideration ordered to stand over till next meeting. EXTENSION 0E RAILWAY FROMSOUTHBBIDOE. The copy of a letter, addressed to air Julius Vogel, sent by Mr E. J- Lee, the chairman of a late meeting held at Southbridge on tho subject of the extension of the railway, was read. Tho letter pointed out the advantages ',l the railway in question, and its suitability for the application of foreign capital. The letter was received, but no action taken on it.

RAKAIA oorgk ferry. The chairman was authorised to execute an agreement in terms of the draft forwarded by the Ashburton County Council in favour of Mr Grey, the ferryman. PETITION. The Chairman said a petition hid been received from the residents of a portion of the Ashley district., from which they alleged they were cut off, asking to be included in the Solwyn County. It was stated that the district referred to included an area of about 500 D acres. Mr Enys explained the reason why the change was required which was that the Ashley County Council had not expended a penny piece on the district. The consideration of the petition was postponed. DOGS. Mr Matthias asked what action the police were supposed to take in reference to dog collars. Mr Lee said his experience was that they took no action whatever. He would move that the Commissioner be communicated with, and the fact pointed out that the police did not do their duty in tho matter of enforcing the Act wi>h regard to dog licenses, and likewise to enquire what instructions had been issued to the men. The Chairman said they might ask the question, but in all probabilty they would not get an answer. One of the members thought it would perhaps be as well to let the matter rest until the Ist of January, when tho collars for the new year would be issued'. Ultimately the chairman was r-quested to write to the Commissioner of Polico, with a view to the men in the country districts being further stimulated in regard to the registration of dogs. Mr Lee thought the police in the country districts did not do their duty at all, either in the matter of unregistered dogs or of wandering cuttle. ACCOUNTS. A number of accounts wero passed and ordered to be paid. Several other matters of importance were postponed until the next meeting. The Council then adjourned.