MAGISTRATES’ COURTS

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1587, 21 March 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, March 21, [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M,] Drunk and Disorderly.— Annie Wharton and Johanna Galaher were each fined 10s. Sarah Doig and three first offenders were fined 5s each. Stealing Spectacles. Edward Jones was charged with stealing a pair of spectacles and case, value 10s, from the person of John Walsh. William Calvert, a plumber, deposed that about six o’clock the previous evening he was in the commercial room of the City Hotel, and, hearing a noise in the right of way, he looked through the window and saw the prosecutor trying to get into the street and the prisoner endeavouring to prevent him. The prisoner was apparently threatening him with a horseshoe, which he held over his head, and then he took a spectacle-case out of a side pocket in his coat. The barman, being sworn, gave corroborative evidence, and said that he gave the prisoner into custody. Constable O’Connor proved the arrest of the prisoner at the instance of the last witness, who gave him the spectacles he had taken from the prisoner. John Walsh, the prosecutor, a seaman; by profession, said he had been drinking with the prisoner for some days. Ho was in his company the previous evening, but he had not had much previous acquaintance with him. He did not remember losing his spectacles or the prisoner taking them from him. The prisoner, in his defence, said he had no intention of stealing the spec tacles, but on the invitation of the prosecutor ho had merely felt in his pocket for u pocket book which belonged to him. His Worship considered the case proved, which he attributed to the “cursed drink,” and sentenced him to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labour. Wandering Horses and Cattle. —The following persons, informed against by the city ranger, were fined the usual penalty, 5s with 7s costs, in each case for allowing horses and cattle to wander at largo :—Richard Sunderland, Patrick Flanery, Patrick Howard, F, E. Ballard, Alexander Cowan, Alfred Mole, and Jehu Holland. Causing an Ousthuotion. —Lawrence Bradley and James Merrill wore summoned for allowing certain cows, their property, to obstruct the public thoroughfares. A fine of 5s and costs 7s was imposed in each case.