MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1809, 8 December 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Decembee 8. G. L. Hellish, Esq., K.M.J Deunk and Disoedeely.—Three first offenders was fined 5s each. Beeach of City By-Laws. Patrick Eoley, contractor, was summoned for allowing a light to go out on a hoarding in High, street. No fine was imposed, but the defendant was ordered to pay the costs of the case.

Beeach of Publichouse Oedinakce.— Samuel Freeman, licensee of the Southern Hotel, was fined 5s for not keeping a lamp alight in front of his hotel. Leaving His Cab.—James Gill, a cabman.

was fined 5s and costs for leaving his cab unattended.

Obsteucting the Footpath. John Spooner was fined 5s for obstructing the footpath by leading a cow along it. Wandering Hoeses and Cattle. Philip Taylor and James Hawkins were each fined 5a and costs. Weights and Measuees Act.—William Borrett was summoned for having in his possession eight weights unstamped. The Inspector of weights and measures gave evidence that the weights were correct. The defendant pleaded that he had only just purchased the weights, but had not yet had anopportunily of stamping them. He had been once to the office for that purpose, but no one was in the office. The case was dismissed and the weights ordered to be stamped and then returned to the defendant. Thomas Free, charged with a similar breach of the Act, said there was the old stamp on them before the Act came into force, and ho thought that complied with the law. The Inspector said two of them were a trifle light. Defendant was ordered to get the weights adjusted and stamped. Alfred Culliford, similarly charged, made the same defence that they had the broad arrow on them. This case was dealt with in the same manner as the preceding one. Joseph Shead was summoned for having two weights light and five unstamped in his possession. Fined 20a, and the two light weights to be confiscated. W. Thomson was summoned for having two light weights in his possession. The weights were forfeited, and a fine of 20i imposed. Certain unstamped weights were ordered to bo stamped. Henry (Jualmc-r web summoned tor having a pair of incorrect scales in his possession. Tho defendant said he bought the scales from Mason and Strutherg, and wag informed that they were liable occasionally to got out of order. As tho defence was in favor of tho seller, tho Bench held that the discrepancy was easily discoverable and easy of rectification, a fine of 20s was imposed, and tho scales impounded. A Nuisance.—Thomas Hancock was summoned for allowing offensive matter to run down tho public channels from his soap works at Sydenham. Tho offence was admitted, and a promise of ameudmmt made for tho future. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs of the case and a fine of ss. Stamp Act.—Jamea Findlay was charged with neglecting to send iu to the Deputy Commissioner of Stamps a return as provided by tho 108’.h section of the Stamp Act, 1876. Tho defendant did not appear, and the prosecution was conducted by Mr Ootterill ou behalf of tho Crown Prcsccutor, instructed by tho Stamp Department. The defendant was fined £lO and *3 ts. Disobeying an Okiee of the Codex. — James M. Connell was charged with disobeying an order of tho Court to pay £5 per month towards the support of his wife aud family. The complainant stated she had not received any money since last June, and there were £3O arrears. The defendant was ordered to find security for the payment of the original order, or, in default, two months’ imprisonment with hard labour.