MAGISTRATES' COURTS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1577, 10 March 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS

OHRISTOHURCH. Monday, Maboh 10. [Before Gr. L. Lee, Esq., and Dr. Deamer, J.P.'s. DarjxK and Disorderly.—James Brown was fined 20s. Mary Welstcad was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Dan Bennett, charged with using obscene language and resisting the constable while in the execution of his duty, was fined 20s ; and two first offenders were fined 5s each. Attempt to Commit Suicide.—William Harvey Griffiths was charged with attempting' to commit suicide on Saturday last by jumping into the Avon. Constable Miles detailed the circumstances under which the attempt was committed, the particulars of which have already been published. The prisoner was remanded for twenty-four hours for the evidence of Mr Chiltern, the house surgeen of the Hospital. Laeckny.—Bridget Carrie Doolan was charged with stealing a petticoat, of the value of 3s, the property of Charlotte Connor. Henrietta Smith declared that she kept a school, in Cranmer square, and that the accused had been in her employment as housemaid, and was discharged on the Ist of March. She left her luggage behind her and came for it last Saturday. In consequence of something she had heard, witness sent for a constable, who searched the prisoner's things. While the search was being made the witness saw, beneath the corner of her dress, a petticoat which was part of the property the prisoner was charged with stealing. It waß identified by Charlotte Connor as her property. Charlotte Connor, a fellow-servant of the accused, being sworn, said that last Sunday week she missed Beveral articles, which she enumerated, amongst them being the petticoat the prisoner was charged with stea 1 - ing. Subsequently to her loss, the prisoner left Mrs Smith's employment, but returned last Saturday for her boxes, when witness saw the missing petticoat, produced in Court, upon her. Constable Neil deposed that last Satur day ho went to Mrs Smith's house, and told the accused he should have to search her boxes for some articles Bhe was charged with stealing. He did so, and, while in the act, the petticoat was noticed on her by Mrs Smith and identified by her and the prosecutrix, Charlotte Connor. At this stage the case was remanded for twenty-four honrs, to enable the accused to subpeena a witness whom she stated could ?give material evidence in her favour.

Embezzlement. Charles Anderson, on remand, was charged with embezzling 14s, the property of his employer, Christopher Dalwood, cab proprietor. Henry Slater, barrister, deposed that on February 24th the accused drove him to Sumner in Dal wood's coach. He paid him 14* which ho owed to Mr Dalwood for coach fares. Christopher Dalwood, coach proprietor, deposed that the prisoner had been in his employ as a groom and occasional coachman. On the day mentioned by the last witness he drove a coach into town from Sumner. His duties were to receive monies from passengers and account for them nightly. On the night in question he was too drunk to drive back to Sumner, and another man had to be employed for that purpose He had never accounted either on the 26th of February or since for the money he had received that day from Mr Slater. Detective Walker proved the arrest of the prisoner who at the tune said, "He owed me that for wages, but. I suppose I had no right to stick to it. This was the case, and prisoner made an explanation to the effect that he had no idea of embezzling the money, but had left his employment in a huff expecting to be taken on ogain. Tho Bsnch held this to be no explanation at all, and sentenced the accused to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. Stealing APPLES. —Stephen Green received a sentence of one week's imprisonment with hard labor, for stealing some apples, value 6d, out of the garden of Mr W. J. W. Hamilton, in Latimer square. Stealing a Watch.—John Duncan and Jotsll Me Bride, were charged with stealing a watch, the property of James Harte, and on the application of the police were remanded until tho 12th instant. Failing to Provide.—John Clarkson was charged with failing to provide for bis wife and rarr.ily. The case had been adjourned in order that a mutual arrangement might be come to between the parties. There was no appearance of tho complainant, and the defendant stated that he and his wife has settled the matter amicably. The defendant wei allowed to go about his business, on the payment of the Court foes, amounting to 10s. Damaging Property in the Domain. — Edward Leoth was summoned for damaging one of the seats in the Domain on the 21st February. Mr Armstrong, the curator of the gardens, stated that in consequence of the frequency of the seatß being cut and hacked about, and obßcene words written and cut upon them, he was instructed to press the charge. The defendant said he did not know he was doing wrong, or that he could be interfered with. Tho Bench could not understand such extreme simplicity, and said it was time the defendant was taught better, and imposed a fine of 10s to impress it on his memory. Threatening Language.—William Shaw and Mary Shaw were summoned for using abusive and threatening language to Isabella Murphy. The evidence of Mrs Murphy was taken, and it transpired the quarrel arosa out of the husband of Mrs Murphy having destrained on the property of the defendant Shaw for arrears of rent. After hearing the defendant's version, who were both sworn in their own behalf, the Bench dismissed the case. Robert Shannon was charged with threaten ing the life of his wife, Margaret Shannon. Mr Neck appeared for the complainant and Mr O'Reilly for the defendant. Mr O'Reilly stated that the complainant had already got a protection order, and ho was willing, on behalf of his client, to have him bound over to keep tho peace. Mr Neck said he was willing to consent to this if the defendant's own recognizance was further backed up by responsible sureties, but his conduct was of such a viobnt nature, and tho complainant was in such a state of apprehension from him, that something more than his, the defendant's, own recognizance was required for his client's safety. Tho complainant's evidence being taken, the Bench agreed to accept the defendant's own recognizance in the sum of £SO and two sureties of £25 each, to keep tho peace towards the comphii .ant, or in default one month's imprisonment. Threatening a Bailiff. —Edward Lester was summoned for resisting a bailiff of the Court while engaged in the performance of his duty. Mi- McKnight, the Bailiff of the Court, and his assistant, detailed the particulars of the c»se, from which it appeared that tho defendant not only made use of the language complained of, but also actively opposed him while endeavoring to remove somo property eff the premises. After hearing the evidence of the defendant's wife, tho Court considered tho offence proved, and imposed a fiie of £5, at the same timo informing the defendant he had rendered himself liable to a penalty of £2O.

LYTTELTON. Monday, Mabch 10. [Before Dr. Donald, J.P.] LakcSny.—Oharlos Newman, 6eainan, belonging to the crew of the Piiko, was present* d by Sergeant-Major O'Gtrady, charged with stalling a shirt, value under £l, the property of an immigrant named S. E. Biker. Mr Nalcier for prisoner. Third officer of the Bhip, G-. W. Banks, deposed—On thesth inst. I was orderol by the chief officer to have the tilings in prisoner's bunk in the forecastle brought alt. An ordinary seaman named Schofield brought the bundle out; it coutained a number of articles of apparel. I could not swear that the Bhirt (produced), was in it. Croes-cxcmined —There are two rows of bertb-B in the forecastle. Don't know

of my own knowledge I hat prisoner occupied the bunk. Never saw nim lying in it, but have seen him near it, and was told it was hie bunk. S. E. Baker dopoaed that the shirt (produced) was his property. His namj was marked upon it. He continued : Have fisked the prisoner whether he hud seen the shirt, aud ho replied in the negative. It was taken from the forestay, where I had hung it to dry. I never told the prisoner to take it. Cross-examined—Any other seaman than the prisoner eould have got at the shiu trhere it was hung by mo. No other testimony being produced, Mr Nalder claimed that the prosecution had failed completely to connect the accused with the taking of the article. The case was dismissed. There were tersral other charges against the same defendant, but the Bench declined to try them himself, being of the opinion that twa Justices of the Peace should be present. Prisoner was remanded until this afternoon, to appear before Mr Hellish.