MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1506, 13 December 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, December 13. [Before G. L. Mellish, E«q., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly. Margaret Buchanan was fined 60s. Assault. —Henry Smith was charged with committing a breach of the peace by striking a man named Ryan in the face. Constable Neill, who arrested tho defendant, deposed that he saw the assault committed, and defendant was fined 20s.

Protection of Earnings. —Jane Wilson applied under the Married Womens Protection Act for protection tor her property and earnings against her husband, William Wilson, on the ground of his habitual drunkenness and gross cruelty. On tho application of Mr Connal, who appeared on behalf of the defendant, the hearing of tho ease was put off until the 27th inst. Obscene Exposure —James Novnl was charged with wilfully and obscenely exposing his person in a public place, on Thursday, the st,h inst. The evidence of a female witness proved that tho offence was committed in Cashel street, near Barbadoes street, by Thompkin’s Hotel, in the presence of a lady and her children. There was a second charge against the prisoner of a similar nature, committed on the same day. Peter Schmidt, a builder, said ho saw the prisoner deliberately commit the offence with which ho was charged, in the presence of a little boy and girl, in Hereford street, near the East Town Belt. The matters were subsequently reported to the police, and the prisoner arrested. His Worship sentenced the prisoner to twelve months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, for each offence, tho second term to commence on tho expiration of the first, m iking in all two years’ imprisonment with hard labour, at the same time expressing his regret that the law did not permit him to order him a good sound flogging, as it was impossible to brutalise him any more than he was. Maintenance. —William Bartlett was summoned for neglecting to provide his wife, Louisa Bartlet t, with adequate means of support. The complainant stated that he not only neglected to provide her with proper maintenance but was living with another woman named Alice Faulkner. Ho had taken a room for tho woman as hi.- sister at Barlow’s Albion Hotel, from which she was turned out when her connection with the defendant was found out. Defendant, who said he was to have been represented by Mr Loughnan, but that gentleman had not appeared, and he should ask that the case might bo adjourned. His Worship declined to adjourn the case. Ho acknowledged that he had been on intimate terms with tho woman Faulkner, that he had taken a room for her at Barlow’s Hotel, and also one in Manchester street, but said (hut nothing improper had taken place between them. His worship asked the defendant if he would swear to that, and cautioned him that a very strict enquiry into the facts would be made, and warned the defendant of the consequences of swearing falsely. Defendant said he should wish to bo sworn, which was done, and lie then repeated on oath that ho had never committed adultery with Alice Faulkner. His Worship said that by Ids own admission the defendant had paid for Alice Faulkner’s lodging. He would adjourn the case, and in the meantime the police would make every enquiry into the truth of the defendant’s statements. Family Fracas. —Deborah Hughes was summon'd for assaulting Maria McCallum on the 7th inst., and there was a cross summons against Ellen Maria McCallum and George Fuliford for assaulting and beting Deborah Hughes on tho same day. Mr Loughnan appeared for Deborah Hughes. This was a family squabble, Mrs Hughes and Mrs McCallum being sisters, and the matter was further complicated hy tho mother of the litigants (Mrs Walsh) and a man named George Fuliford having actively participated in the proceedings, winch, from tho evidence, appeared to have been of a very lively though not very serious character. Tho scene of tho double assault was in Mrs Hughes’s shop, and primarily arose out of a demand of the complainant in the first cute for some bedscrows which wove in tho possession of Mrs Hughes. The defendant lullford said ho never put a hand on a woman in his life, but there was a lot of women present, and they were all drunk, and the most distinct impression on his mind was the fact of bis beard having been severely pulled. His Worship endeavored to unravel the intricacies of the" double assault from the commencing push, which led to a demonstration with a parasol, after which all was “chaos.” Balancing the probabilities, he should dismiss tho information against Deborah llueb.es and George Fullford, and Mrs McCallum would bo fined lOs. Treßi*A93. —Mclvey Baird was final 5s for allowing a horse lo wander at largo on tho Ferry road. Perjury.—At the termination of the last case, and before tho rising of Hie Court, an information was laid against William Bartlett that, on the 13th day of December instant, at Christchurch, in the colony of New Zealand, ho falsely, wickedl , wilfully, and corruptly, did commit wiiitil. nd corrupt perjury in the testimony he gave upon oath in his examina-

tion before George Lilly Mellish, Esq., Resident Magistrate andjJusticc of tho Peace for the said colony, upon the hearing of a certain information preferred by one Louisa Bartlett against tho said William Bartlett. r l'bo hearing of the charge was adjourned until to-morrow morning. LYTTELTON. Friday, December 13. [Before W. Donald, Esq,, R.M., R. IT. Webb, Esq , and T. 11. Potts, Esq., J.P.’s.] A Disturber. —A young man, who described himself as a clerk, lately arrived, pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance at Court on Thursday, and was let off on payment of 10s. Native Row. —The time of the Court was occupied for upwards of an hour hearing the details of a charge of using threatening language, brought by a Maori female against three others of her race and sex. Tho Rev. Mr Stack acted os interpreter. The Bench gave tho young ladies a reprimand, but thought it necessary to bind them over.