MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1510, 18 December 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHKISTCIIUKCH. "Wednesday, December 18. [Before Gh L. Leo, Esq., and F. Hobbs, Esq., J.P.'s.] DBUNK AND Disorderly.—Charles Parker was charged with being drunk and disorderly, with violently resisting Constable Miles in the execution of his duty, and further with wantonly and cruelly ill-using a horse he wa3 in charge of at the time. Thcro were two witnesses named John Harker and W. J. White, who had promised to attend, but on their names being called neither of them put in an appearance. Constable Miles deposed that he arrested the prisoner in Tuam street the previous day at about half-past 5 p.m. The complaint of illiißing the horse was made by the witness Harker, who, with W. J. White, saw the occurrence when the prisoner was arrested. Ho whs veiy drunk and violent. Another constable corroborated the evidence of Constable Miles as to the state of the prisoner and his conduct while being conveyed to the police station. In tho absence of the two civilian witnesses, Mr Inspector Hickson said he would withdraw tho third of cruelly iJlusing a horso, and proceed by eamnions, A line of 10s was inflicted in each case for tho drunkenness and violent condu.-t to the police. Disobeying an Order, CkC— Richard Serle was brought up on warrant charged with disobeying an order of the Court for not properly supporting his wife, also with wilful destruction of private property and violently resisting constable Briggi in the execution of his duty. Constable Briggs deposed to arresting the prisoner outside the Caveraham Hotel on Tuesday, at half-past twelve o'clock. His conduct was very violent when arrested, and he damaged the constable's trousers. A witness named Crewe corroborated the constable's evidence. On the charge o£ disobeying an order of tho Court, the prisoner's wife said an order had been made for tho prisoner to pay her 10s a week, but sho had only received it twice in two years, and tho last time wns about twenty-one months ago. There were now arrears amounting to £6 10s. Tho prisoner excused himself for his non-punctuality in paying on the ground ; that he had been in Sydney and only recently returned. He however could pay the arrears on Saturday next. At present he was earning £1 per week. Mr Inspector Hickson said there would bo the damage done to the constable's clothes to be considered in giving judgment. The constable said the trousers originally cost £2, and ho had worn them about five months. Tho Court ordered tho accused to pay the arrears due to his wifo under the order by Friday next, or in default one month's imprisonment. For the destruction of the police property, he would be fined 10s, and 10s for his violent behaviour. Ho would have to pay a further Bum of 15s, the estimated damage done to tho constable's clothes, with ss, tho cost of one witness, with Is cab hire.

Assault. —William Wheal was brought up on warrant, charged with Musing and boating his wife. The defendant's wife stated that his conduct was all occasioned by drink. When sober sho had nothing to complain of. He was a good man, both as a husband and father. She did not wish to prosecuto him. Tho Bench said that as the accused's wife did not wish to prosecute him, tho Court would take a lenient view of the matter and discharge him, on paying the coats of the Court. Bbbaoh of the Peace. —George Hartnell was charged on warrant with committing a breach of the peace in the presence of a constable. Constable Cleary deposed that ho arrested tho accused on Oxford terrace, at half-paßt ten en the night of tho 12th inst. The accused's wife was with him, and tho witness saw him strike her. Tho woman dropped some money on tho ground, and while tho witness turned away to show a light with his lantern, the accused jumped into the river and swam to tho other side. This was the cause of tho present charge being pressed. The wife of tho accused corroborated the statement of the constable, but as the assault, according to her account, only amounted to making "a crab at her," and he aid not striKe lier, ihe liencn concluded to dismiss the case. LYTTELTON. Wednesday, Dece.ubeb 18. [Before W. Donald, Esq., KM,, and T. H. Potts, Esq., J.P.] Lunacy feoji Intoxication. —John Davis, on remand from Amberley, was discharged from custody, having recovered. Disobeying Obdeb. —Erank Wilbcifcon Lawrence and Thomas Recford were ohurged with disobeying orders on board tho barque Examiner. Mr Nalder appeared for the informant. The mon stated that they refused to go because tho vessel was short-handed. On Captain Scoullar showing that the barque had her full complement of h;>.nds, accused were sentenced each to three months' impriponmont with hard labor. Costs allowed, £3 10s. Civil Cases.--F. Q.uaine and two others v. E. Fleming, claim £ICD. Mr Naldor for plaintiff; Mr T. S. Duncan for defendant. Judgment was given for plaintiff for amount of work done, to bo ascertained by an expert, at tho rate of £2 per acre. Solicitor's foes, £3 3s •, Court costs, £'*.