MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1486, 20 November 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, Novembeb 20. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dbunk and Disobdebly.—A first offender was fined 5s Lunacy.—Henry F. Allen, charged with lunacy from drink, was remanded to Lyttelton for a week for medical treatment. Pbotection and Maintenance. Mrs Smith, under the Married Women's Protection Act, applied for protection of her earnings against her husband, William Henry Smith, also for maintenance for her child. Complainant stated that the defendant had struck and ill-used her, given her a black eye, and was also keeping another woman. The defendant denied keeping the woman except in the capacity of a housekeeper, and that he had discharged her the night before last for stopping out at night. Mr Inspector Hickson said that the defendant had only got rid of the woman when he found the police were making enquiries into his conduct. Defendant put a great many questions to the complainant, and created considerable amusement by stating she gave herself the black eye by running her face against his fist. His Worship said he had heard of such a circumstance before. In answer to Mr Inspector Hickson, the complainant said that when during her last confinement her friends had given her a bottle of brandy, the defendant had drank it all, and then ran up and down the streets like a madman. The defendant said it was a fact that he had drunk the greater part of the brandy, but it was to prevent its being given away. The complainant called a female witness to prove that the defendant had employed her intervention to induce her to come back to him. The defendant called his three sons and a daughter as witnesses, and the two first answered a number of leading questions in the affirmative, tending to show that the complainant was of dirty habits, and often made use of bad language. The youngest son appeared to be a mere child, though defendant said he was between eleven and twelve years of age. His Worship said he would take it for granted that he would corroborate his brother's evidence, but declined to have the youngest placed in the witness box. A female witness was also called by the defendant, but her answers to the questions of the dofendant were anything but what ho appeared to expect. His Worship said it was quito hopeless to imagine defendant and his wife could live happily together, and it was a very suspicious circumstance that defendant should get rid of his housekeeper at the particular time when the case was coming on and enquiries were being made. The defendant made a statomont of his means, and said he was willing to maintain the child. His Worship ordered defendant to pay 10s per week, and cautioned him as to the necessity of being punctual in his payments. LYTTELTON. TBefore W.Donald, Esq.,E.M.J Wednesday, Novembke 20. Absent Without Leave. —Kichard Taylor, an A. 8., was charged by Captain Day of the brig Star, with being absent from that vessel without leave, and was ordered on board. Thomas Northoroft for being absont from the barque Mary Millar was reprimanded and sent abosird. Rei'USAL or Duty.—Emanuel Ferris, an A 8., belonging to the Hydaspes was charged with this offence by Captain Babot. Accused was sent on board, promising to resume duty. Civil Cases. —Wheeler v Reeves, claim 25s ; Mr Nalder for dofendant. This claim was for damage done to a fence by fire in September, 1877. Judgment for defendant, costs 235, solicitor's fee 2ls.