MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1616, 25 April 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Feiday, Apbil 15, [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq,, R.M.] Deunk and Disobdeely. —Two inebriate! were fined 5s each. Wife Desebtion. —William Lancaster, remanded from Wellington, was charged with neglecting to provide his wife with proper means of support. Mrs Lancaster stated that she had five children, and her husband left her on the 28th of last December. Since then she had received two letters from him, but no assistance further than £1 during the past six months. Prom the statement of Sergeant Morice it appeared that the defendant, a clerk, was, comparatively speaking, a new arrival, and his present position was entirely owing to his lazy habits and love of drink. Mrs Lancaster stated that she would be satisfied if the Bench would grant her a married woman’s protection order, )The Bench sentenced the defendant to one months’ imprisonment with hard labor, and ordered him to pay £1 per week for the maintenance of his wife and family when he came out of gaol. LYTTELTON. Feiday, Apeil 25. [Before Dr. Rouse and H. Allwright, Esq., J.P.’s.] Wanted to be Hanged. — A man described as a sailor, but from whom no information as to his name or occupation could be obtained, was presented charged with loitering at the gate of the gaol. Warder Woolley testified that he refused to move on, and Chief Gaoler Phillips said that on Wednesday the accused came to the gaol and demanded that he be hanged right off. Witness thought the man was unsound in his mind. Remanded for seven days for medical examination. Laeceny. — A little boy named Bright, arrested for taking 3s 6d from a little girl in the street, was discharged, the prosecuting witnee* being unable to state the circumstances of the affair. The boy asserted his innocence most positively, and wanted to call witnesses to prove an alibi.