MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1515, 24 December 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, December 24. [Before G. L. Lee, Esq., and F. Hobbs, Esq,, J.P.’s.] Drunk and Disorderly. —Timothy Mahahan was, in addition to tho charge of drunkenness, alleged to have made use of obscene language in front of the Golden Ago Hotel on Monday afternoon. The landlord of the hotel, John Allen, deposed to the language made use of. Constable Lawlor, who arrested the prisoner, said he was drunk at the time. A fine of 20a was inflicted. A first offender was fined ss. Mary Walstead, for a similar offence, a repetition of numberless former ones, was fined 40s, or 96 hours’ imprisonment. Maintenance, Alexander Wright was brought up charged with failing to provide his wife, Margaret Wright, with adequate means of supnort. In the absence of the Resident Magistrate, the Bench having no jurisdiction, tho case was adjourned until the 27th inst.

Illegally ok Premises—Joseph Thompson was charged with being illegally on the premises of Clara Debenham. The prosecutrix not wishing to press the charge, it was, at the instance of the Inspector of Police, withdrawn. Embezzlement.—Francis H. Yalpy was charged with embezzling the sum of £6 4s, the property of the New Zealand Railway Employes’ Benefit Society. Mr Cowlishaw prosecuted on behalf of the company, and Mr Izard appeared, in the absence of Mr T. I. Joynt, for the accused, and asked for a further remand until January 2nd, which was granted. Indecent Exposure.—Eugene McLaren, alias Hugh McLennan, alias Knock, remanded from Monday, was charged with wilfully and obscenely exposing bis person in a public place. Mr Neck appeared for the prosecution, and stated the case—a most aggravated one —the details of which are utterly unfit for publication, and then called witnesses in support of it. The object of the prisoner’s bestiality was a little girl seven years of ago, whose father gave conclusive evidence against him. His evidence was corroborated by another witness, who assisted the child’s father in detaining and capturing the prisoner. The prisoner made a lame explanation, which amounted to no defence at all, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. LYTTELTON. Tuesday, December 24. [Before H. B. Webb, Esq., and T. H. Potts, Esq., J.P.’s.] Refusing to Join Ship.— John Boyd, belonging to the crew of the brig Fawn, having refused to go on board in terms of the ship’s articles signed by him on the 23rd, was prdored by the Bench to be taken aboard by the police. Sodomy.— John Eeeve, quito a boy, was with having committed this crime at H Valley. Mr Izard appeared in his • witnesses gave their evidence, BBpHffta Bench held the accused to answer Before the Supremo Court at its next term. Bail was allowed.