MAGISTRATES’ COURT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1489, 23 November 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, November 23. [Before Q-. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly. — A first offender was fined ss. Mary Maule was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Isabella Leckio was fined 60s, and Michael Malcahy 10s. Obscene Language. —John Allen was charged with being drunk and making use of obscene language in a public place. The prisoner said he had been assaulted by the police when he was arrested outside of the Victoria Hotel. At the request of the Inspector of Police, Mr Morling, of the Victoria Hotel, was sent for. He stated the prisoner came to the hotel on the previous evening, and behaved in a noisy violent manner, so that he had to send for a constable to remove him. He saw no assault committed on him either in the hotel or outside of it. The evidence of the last witness was corroborated by William Moore, “boots” at the hotel. Constable Briggs, watchhouse keeper at the depot, proved that he used very bad language while in the watchhouse, which was the public place meant in the charge. His Worship hardly considered the lock-up a “public place” within the meaning of the Act. The accused was fined 5s and cost of cab. Riotous Behaviour at the Hospital William Duncan, a patient recently discharged from the Hospital, was charged with behaving in such a manner as was calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr Neck appeared for the defendant. The hou-x--steward, Mr Watts, stated that the prisoner came to the hospital the previous evening, and after acting in a violent manner quitted the grounds. He subsequently came back and was detained until the arrival of the police, when ho was given into custody. Mr Watts stated the prisoner had been dismissed from the hospital for misconduct. E. A. Broadbelt, the cook at the hospital, stated that at the request of Iho last witness lie went and saw the prisoner at the back of the laundry, with a stick over his shoulder. He made threatening gestures and remarks, as though ho would take something from his pocket, and then got away over the fence. He afterwards saw him in one of the wards. James Johnson, the gatekeeper, proved the detention ot the prisoner at the lodge until ho was given in charge to the police. After hearing Mr Nook in defence, his Worship in dieted a fine of 20s. A lbert Lucas was charged with the commission of the same offence, and after hearing the particulars, a lino of 20s was indicted.