MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1727, 2 September 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, September 2. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.—Two females, old offenders, were each fined 40s. Obscene Language.—Thomas Hones was charged with using obscene language in Colombo street. Constable Williams deposed to the language made use of, and the offender was fined 20s. Annie Osbourne was charged with using obscene langurge in Victoria street. After hearing the evidence of Constable Oleary, the Bench fined the offender 20s. Stealing Money.—William Woods was charged with stealing £2O from the person of Frederick Aldridge. The accused was remanded until Friday, September sth. False Pretences. —Richard Wood was charged with obtaining goods to the amount of £2 6s lOd, the property of George Ritchie, under false pretences. Mr R. D. Thomas appeared for the accused. Mr Ritchie, storekeeper, carrying on business in Colombo street north, deposed that about the 29th of last March the accused came to his shop and ordered some goods, which he was tying up for him, when he said he could not pay him then, but would pay him once a fortnight, as that was the way he was paid himself. Witness then gave him the goods on the representation that he was working for his brother, whom he (witness) had known for a good many years. At the end of a fortnight witness made enquiries and could neither find the accused at the address he bad given, or verify the fact that he was working for his brother, as he stated when be got the goods. At this stage the Bench dismissed the case. Disobeying an Order. —John Bourhill was brought up charged with disobeying an order of the Court by neglecting to maintain his illegitimate child. The case was adjourned for a fortnight to give the accused an opportunity of obtaining some employment. Larceny.—Richard Wood was charged with stealing a brush and comb, value ss, the property of the parishioners of the congregation of the Durham street Wesleyan Church. Ho was also charged with stealing £6, the property of the committee of the Sunday school of the Durham street Wesleyan Church. Mr Thomas for the defendant. The case of stealing the brush and comb, which had been dismissed the previous day on technical grounds, was taken first on a fresh information laid by the police. William Edward Shelton, caretaker of the church, repeated the evidence, which was substantially the same as he had sworn to the previous day, and which has already been published. Mr Thomas submitted that the case must be dismissed, on the ground that, as no ownership of the property could be proved, a conviction could not bo obtained, and cited several cases in support of his contention. He further stated that the trustees of the church were not by any means desirous of prosecuting the charge against the accused, whom it was well known had been of weak intellect since childhood. The father of the accused and Mr Widdowson gave evidence confirmatory of Mr Thomas’ statement as to the accused’s mental weakness, which the former attributed to a bad accident he had met with in childhood. On the evidence of the two last witnesses his Worship said ho felt justified in dismissing the cases ; at the same time he informed the father of the accused that ho would have to take steps for his proper restraint and care for the future. The case was then dismissed.