MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1635, 17 May 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH.

Saturday, May 17. (Before T. M. Hassal, Esq., and F. do C. Malet, Esq., J.P.’s.) Stealing Money. —Thomas Ryan was charged with stealing 2s 6d from the till of the Palace Hotel, the property of George Beattie, Mr Nock appeared for the prisoner, and admitted that the money had been taken, but under exceptional circumstances. The prisoner was a recent arrival from Sydney, and had spent £34 during the last month in drink, and had been suffering from delirium tremens. He did not remember taking the money. Mrs Beattie, being sworn, stated that she caught the prisoner in the act of taking the money (half a crown) from the till, she took it from him, and sending for a constable, gave him into custody. Charles Burmeister, oyster saloon keeper, corroborated the evidence of the last witness, and said the prisoner did not appear to be drunk when he took the money, but when detected pretended to he out of his mind. The evidence of the barman, John Fitzgerald, was to the same effect. Constable Johnson deposed that he was sent for between ten and eleven o’clock on Friday morning to the Palace Hotel, and the prisoner was given into his custody by Mrs Beattie for stealing money. Mr Neck having addressed the Bench on behalf of the prisoner in mitigation of punishment, he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor.

LYTTELTON. Satukday, Mat 17. [Before His Worship the Mayor.] Assault. —Francis Walker and Archibald McMillan, seamen belonging to the barque G. 8.5., from London, were presented for committing an assault upon the second officer. Sergeant-Major O’Qrady said he had endeavoured to obtain the attendance of another Justice of the Peace, bo that the trial could proceed, but had not succeeded. He would, therefore, have to ask for an adjournment. Accused was remanded until Monday at 2 p.m., when it is expected Mr Hellish, R.M., will be here.