MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1756, 6 October 1879, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

OHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Septembbb 6. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dbunk and DiaoBDEBi,Y.-One drunkard was fined 40j. „ _., _ Yiolbnt Assault.— Henry Eokhofi was Charged with violently assaulting his wife, Wilhemina Eckhoff, on the 4th inst. The accused was remanded for a week, his wife being in the hospital suffering from the effects of the assault, and unable to appear and give evidence. The accused was allowed bail, •fixed at £SO. Stbaxino a Hitk or Bess.—Two lads named Charles Betts and Lewis Betts were charged with stealing a hive of bees, value :20s, the property of Joseph Hepburn. Both boys were of tender age, and the eldest said he found the hive turned upside down under a gorse hedge. The prosecutor, a labourer, residing on tho South town belt, said he lost a hive of bees between laßt Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The previous day (Sunday) he went to the house where the defendants lived. Pound the beehive in the garden, tho same produced in Court. Margaret Hepburn, daughter of tho proseoutor, stated that sho saw the beehive shortly after seven o'clock on the evening of the 2nd instant. It was at tho top of her father's garden. Had not seen it since until it was produced in Court. Edward Clarke, a boy twelve years of age, living with his father in the Windmill road, said he met the defendants last Wednesday evening on the South town belt. They were carrying some bees in a small candle box. They told him they had given five shillings for them. Constable Neil said he went with the prosecutor the previous afternoon to where the defendants wore residing in Harper street. He found tho beehive produced in the garden, and took possession of it. He then arrested the boys on the charge of stealing it. The eldest boy said they found it on a vacant section at the back of the prosecutor's garden on the South town bolt. The father of the boys said that the box of bees had been placed close to a low hedge within reach of the boys outside. There was a holo close by, and the school lads had been in the habit of poking at the box with sticks and throwing stones at it, which had probably knocked it down outside the hedge, where his sons had found it and taken it away. They were honest boys, and he had nevor had any occasion to find fault with them since they wore born. His Worship had no doubt, from tho falsehood the elder boy had told about giving 5s for the bees that he had taken it away dishonestly and led his little brother into the scrape. He would, however, dismiss the case if his father would undertake to give the elder defendant a sound flogging. The boys, after being severely reprimanded, were then discharged. Cattsino an Obbtbuction. —George Williams pleaded guilty to obstructing the public thoroughfare in Cashel street. There was a second information of tho same nature. The defendant was a fish-hawker, and had refused to move on when told by a constable. Every reasonable convenience was allowed by the Eolice for the fish-hawkers to sell their fish, ut they must not obstruot the public thoroughfares. His Worship said he would take the two cases as one, and fined the defendant 10s.

Obubitt to Animals. —Edwin Pardoe ■was summoned for illtreating a horse. He admitted the offence, which the police did not consider an aggravated case, and a fine of 5a was imposed, with 12s costs. Absauxtino a Chinaman. —George Cooksley was summoned for assaulting a Chinaman named Ah Ting, at Woolston, on the 18th of September. Mr Neck appeared for the complainant. The prosecutor stated that the defendant had frequently abused him, and at last knocked him down, which constituted the assault complained of. A Mrs Penrose deposed that on the occasion in question she Baw the complainant on the ground, and the defendant, or someone like him, standing by. Harriet Cook said she saw the defendant knock the complainant down. Eliza Cook corroborated the evidence of the last witness. Had known the complainant for the last three years as a quiet inoffensive man. The sister and father of the defendant stated that provocation was given by the complainant, who came into the defendant's yard and refused to go out when told. Complainant was then put out, and when in the road commenced to throw stones, and struck the defendant, who retaliated. His Worship was of opinion that although there was no doubt that on this particular occasion the complainant commenced the fracas by going into the defendant's premises, that a system of annoyance had been carried on towards the complainant, which had led to the assault. This must be put a stop to, and the defendant would be bound over to keep the peace in the sum of £2O, or in default, one month's imprisonment, and at the same time have to pay the cost of the summons.

LYTTELTON. Monday, Octobbb 6. [Before Joseph Beswick, Esq., R.M.] Time op Opening.—lt was fully twenty minutes past eleven o'clook this morning before the public business of the Court was taken up. The want of punctuality on the part of those whose duty it is to attend to the business at this institution has been before referred to. Tbmpobaey Tbanspee.—Oharles Johnson applied for a tomporary transfer of the wine ana beer license of the Victoria Dining Rooms to William Howie. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for tho parties. Sergeant - Major O'Gkady raised the objection that Mr Howie was an unmarried young man. The transfer waß granted. , , . Ciyii. Case. - Johnson v Husband, claim £lB 3s ; adjourned until Wednesday.