MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1803, 1 December 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHBISTCHT7BOH. Monday, Decembeb 1.

[Before G. L. Mellißh, Esq., B.M.] Drunk and Dibobdebly. Margaret Dempey, with twenty-five previous oonviotions, was sent to prison for three months with a promise of twelve months if again brought up for drunkenness.

-Aggeavated Assaults oh Females.— Albert Pinkatone pleaded guilty to three charges of aggravated assault on young girls. There was a fourth charge, of making use of obscene language, which was withdrawn. Mr Keck appeared for the accused, and said his client felt deeply humiliated and threw himself on the mercy of the Bench. Mr Mellish said he had doubts if he should not serd the prisoner to be dealt with by a higher Court, as he would then probably receive a punishment suitable to his offence, viz., a good flogging, but, as it was very questionable if any good would be derived from the publicity which would be given to the cases by a trial at the Supreme Court, he would deal with the prisoner summarily. He would receive six months' imprisonment on each case, in all eighteen months' imprisonment, with hard labour. At the expiration of his sentence he would have to enter into a recognizance in the sum of £SO, and find one surety in the same sum, for his good behaviour for six months. Laeceny.—William Atkinson was charged with stealing a small quantity of blacking, value fourpence, the property of Messrs Andrews and White. The prisoner pleaded guilty, but added, ambiguously, that although he took the blacking he did not mean to steal it. Mr Dunn, poulterer, was called and spoke to the character of the prisoner, whom he said he had known for some years and had always regarded as an honest man. The police said nothing was known against him. Mr Mellish said he should be sorry to reoord a conviction against a man of the prisoner's age, and, as nothing was known against him, he would caution him, for the future, and let him on this occasion go free. The prisoner was then discharged. Thomas Norton Jewett was charged with stealing a coat and handkerchief, the property of Edward Bavenhill, the landlord of the Oaversham Hotel. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and said he remembered pawning the coat, hut did not know how it came into his possession, he was so much under the influence of drink. Mr Inspector Hickson said there were four previous convictions Bgainst the prisoner. Mr Mellish sentenced him to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, remarking that a light sentence would be of no use. Breach op Cur By-Laws. Patrick Foley, summoned for neglecting to keep a light on a hoarding, was fined 20s. Bakees and Millbbb Acr. Henry Hawker pleaded guilty to putting alum in bread, and also with selling bread so adulterated. It was a first offence, and the defendant was fined 60s with 23s costs. Mr Inspector Hickson said he did not wish to prejudice the present case by speaking, but if another one was brought forward he hoped the Bench would impose the full penally. Miscellaneous.—A number of persons were fined for allowing horses and cattle to wander at large. LYTTELTON. .Monday, Deobhbbb 1. [Before J. T. Bouse, Esq., J.P-] Soliciting Pbobtitution. — Isabella Leckie was presented for soliciting prostitution. Sergeant-Major O'Grady said that a little after 8 p m. on Saturday she was in London street, being followed by a lot of sailors. She continued in the street until after the public-houses were closed, causing considerable disturbance. The Moused had only been liberated from Addington on Friday, after doing twelve months' there. The Bench, after cautioning the prisoner not to come up again, discharged her. Lunacy.—George O. Cobb, was charged with lunacy. He was lately employed at Akaroa lighthouse, and came up some daja

ago to town. He had a cheque for bis wages, and after his arrival in town he started in to "knock it down," drinking Terr heavily. He had sines being staying at Mr Green's boarding-home-, and had there manifested symptoms of insanity, and was not safe to be at urge. Mr Green stated that the accused came to his house only last Monday, but he believed he had then been in the town a week. He was under the influcros of liquor at the time he came in, and witness refused to receive him, but out of consideration for his being an old boarder, and as he begged to be allowed to stay, witness let him remain it? the house. He had not had a drink since to the beat of witness's knowledge, but had become so strange in his conduct that it was unsafe to have him in the house. The Bench remanded the case until Tuesday. Fame Pbbtences.—Elizabeth Bryant, an old offender, was charged with obtaining board and lodging from Charles Johnston to the amount of £1 4s, by means of false proteases. Remanded until Tuesday.