MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1593, 28 March 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, March 28. [Before G. L. Meilish, Esq., R.M.] Forging and Uttering — William Lennox was charged on the information of J. M. Walker with forging and uttering three orders for chloroform on T. Ackland. The three charges were laid separately. The Inspector asked for a remand on the ground that a suspicion had been raised as to prisoner’s sanity, the case being of a peculiar character as to the facts, so far as they were known. A remand was granted for one week, prisoner to be brought up before if convenient. Larceny. Henry Tucker, alias David Tucker, was charged with larceny of two hammers, valued at 6s, the property of Peter Hill. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labor. Larceny from the Person. William Allen, alias William Belgrave (a colored man), on remand from the 25th instant, was charged with larceny from the person of £7, the property of John Eldridge.—Mr Neck appeared for the prisoner. John Eldridge, being sworn, deposed that he was a laborer lately in the employ of Mr Brown, Linton. On Monday, the 24th instant, received £7 3s wages—a £5 note, two £1 notes, and 3s in silver. Came to Christchurch in the evening train on Monday. Met prisoner at the Prebbleton Hotel, and he accompanied witness to town. On arrival at Christchurch witness and prisoner went to the Palace Hotel. They had dinner, witness paying for them. Having remained at the hotel some time, they went to Burmaster’s eating house, where they had supper snd two bottles of beer, for which witness paid. He recollected very little more afterwards, having had too much to drink. When witness came to his senses he was in the police station. He had no money when taken there. Last remembered having his money in the Criterion, where he and prisoner went after leaving Burmaster’s. He then had the £5 note, a single pound note, and some silver. Also had a statement of his accounts from his late employer. The £5 note produced was similar to that which witness had on him on Monday evening. By Mr Neck— I do not remember giving prisoner my money to take care of for me. Daniel McLean, a carpenter, deposed that he saw prisoner and Eldridge outside Burmaster’s shop on Monday evening. Prisoner called for a cab and they went to the Central Hotel, where prisoner asked witness to have a drink. They went in, and Eldridge paid for the drink, producing a £5 note, which prisoner tried to get from him, saying, Give the note to me, and I will see that you get the change. Eldridge did not give prisoner the note, but subsequently put down a single pound note and paid for tho drinks. (Witness described the subsequent movements of the party, which had been joined by another man, Joe Parry by name. They had a good deal to drink. Eventually they returned to the Criterion in a cab.) Prisoner put his hand into Eldndge’s pocket, took out some silver and paid the cabman. They then had drinks at prisoner’s suggestion, and prisoner again helped himself from Eldridgc’s pocket, and paid for the drinks. He repeated the act on their being driven to Chester street in a cab, taking from Eldridge’s pocket about 14s in silver, ostensibly to pay the cabman, but he then refused to pay him. A dispute arose, during which the police came up. Eldridge said he had been robbed. Prisoner had run away. Afterwards saw prisoner arrested in the Roval Oak Boarding House. By Mr Neck—Eldridge objected to prisoner’s appropriation of the money. Witness did not think anything wrong was going on, believing prisoner and Eldridge to be mates, and that they had mixed up their money. Joseph Parry corroborated that part of the evidence previously given, referring to the events that took place after he (Parry) joined the party. By Mr Neck—About 12s were spent in drink while I was with them. Prisoner paid for everything. I thought they were mates. William Bogge, cabman, and William Tomkins, proprietor of the Royal Oak Boarding House, was also examined. The latter said he changed a five-pound note for prisoner, similar to that produced. Mr Burnett, proprietor of the Garrick Hotel, stated that he changed a note for Mr Tomkins, who came for a bottle of beer. Recognised the note produced as the one he changed by a dirt-mark on the corner. Sergeant Hughes deposed to arresting the prisoner. On searching him. found in his right-hand trousers pocket the statement of account produced, also £1 and some silver, and in his left-hand trousers pocket a purse containing six single pound notes. Subsequently arrested the prosecutor Eldridge, who was drunk, and had no money on him. This concluded the case for the prosecution. Accused (who reserved his defence) was then committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court. ~ _ City By-Law Cases.— Peter McGregor was charged with not keeping his horse and cart on the proper side of the road. The case arose out of a collision between dePendant's milk cart and another in Colombo street. Evidence was called to show that defendant was at the time driving on the wrong side of the road. Case dismissed. The following cases were also dealt with as described :—James Mcllroy, for not keeping on the proper side of the road, fined 10s; Edward W. Millett, for permitting his horse to wander, 5s ; George Fletcher, not having his horse under control, ss; Robert Wallace, twenty-seven head of cattle at large, 20s; Alfred Mole, one horse at large, ss; William Howden, a similar offence, 5s ; Robert Day, thirty head of cattle at large, 20s ; Hugh Flannery, three horses at large, ss.

LYTTELTON. Feiday, Makcii 28. [Before his Worship (he Mayor.] Deuneenness and Assaulting- a Constable —William Turner was present ed upon f»-e charges stated, and admitted b'.s guilt. Fire i 20s and 10« respectively, with the alternative of forty-eight and twenty -four hours’ imprisonment. Obstructing the Police and Assault. —Walter Collins and August Sylvester appeared to answer, the first named a charge of obstructing the police, and the latter a charge of assault. Mr 11. N. Nalder was present in behalf of Sylvester. The Bench declined to assume the responsibility of trying the cases, he being of the opinion that two Justices, in the absence of a Resident Magistrate, were required by law to adjudicate upon them. Bjt.h prisoners were, therefore, remanded until to-morrow, W. Collins being admitted t« bail.