MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1589, 24 March 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, March 24th. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Yagran or.—John Irvine was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. On promising to seek for work, and abstain from molesting his wife fur the future he km discharged. Destroying Phoi'EßTT,— George Bennett was charged with breaking a pane of glass value 15s, the property of R. Chudley. Constable Beaumont proved the commission of the offence, and the accused was fined 20s, and ordered to pay 10s the amount of damage done. Labcsny. —Elizabeth Carson was charged with stealing a watch, value £lO 10s, the property of Thomas Search. The prosecutor, an architect, deposed that early in February he was staying at Adelaide House as a hoarder. The accused was a servant there. He went out fishing one evening, and left his watch on the table, and returned about ten o’clock. Soon after leaving he missed his watch. Next morning he asked the accused if she had seen it, and ehe deified all knowi ledge of it. It was a silver watch, and attached to it was a gold chain and locket. John Jones, a carpenter, living in Salisbury street, deposed that the prisoner bad been staying in His house for about five weeks. She exchanged a watch with him, which he afterwards gave to Detective Walker. Detective Walker deposed that ho received the watch and chain from the last witness on Saturday, and later in the day ho arrested the prisoner on the charge of stealing it. She said she had not stolen it, but must have carried it out in the cloak by accident. She said she knew it was Mr Searell’s, and should have given it up to him. The prisoner admitted the charge, and as it was a first offence, she was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Cruelty to Animals. —Michael Ryan wag charged with unmercifully beating a horse and overdriving fi. On the evidence of a witness named Marchant, it appeared that the accused was the wrong man altogether, as it was another Michael Ryan that was meant, and the summons had been served on the wrong man. The summons was dismissed, and 255, the costs of two witnesses, was allowed. Assault. — J. O. Sheppard was summoned for assaulting James Lyrm, but, on the application of Mr Izard, the information was allowed to be withdrawn. James Lynn was then charged with creating a disturbance in the White Hart Hotel, on St. Patrick’s Day. Mr Neck appeared on behalf of Mr Sheppard, and Mr Izard for the defendant. The prosecutor stated the circumstances of the case, and called, in support of the charge, the page of the hotel, who said that a large and valuable pane of glass in one of the doors was broken through the violence of the defendant. The defendant was sworn, on his own behalf, and denied breaking the glass in question, but admitted he had been drinking but not to excess. The case was adjourned for half an hour, for the barman of the hotel to be sent for, who, on arrival, gave evidence tending to show that no one but the accused could have broken the glass. The Bench considered the charge did not come within the definition of “ creating a disturbance” in a licensed house, but was rather a case for damages, and dismissed the information. Maintenance— George Lyrettwae charged with neglecting to provide his wife and child with proper means of support. His Worship lectured the parties and dismissed the information.