MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1810, 9 December 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, December 9. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dbunk and Disorderly.—A first offender was fined ss, and an old one 20s. Assault.—Thomcs Devery was charged with assaulting one James Burbery the previous day in Carew's stable yard, Oxford terrace. Mr Holmes appeared for the defendant. Mr Inspector Hickson said the two men fought and the complaii ant was knocked down and fell with his head against a stone, which cut it severely. The complainant was in the Hospital. Mr Holmes stated it was an ordinary case of fisticuffs, and his client would plead " Guilty," and was willing to pay the expenses attending the medical treatment of the complainant. Under the circumstances, the Bench thought justice would be satisfied by inflicting a fine of 10j on the defendant; he paying the costs. Vaqeancy. William Anderson was charged with being the occupier of a house frequented by reputed thieves and persons having no lawful visible means of support. Alexander Kerr, a storekeeper, in Colombo road, Sydenham, deposed to the disgraceful conduct of the accused and the disreputable proceedings which were habitually taking place in the houee which he occupied. The house was the constant resort of the worst characters, male and female, aud witness had frequently heard the sounds of blows and screams of " murder " proceeding from it. This evidence was corroborated by Constable Brooks and Detective Neill, and tho accused, who had been convicted five timts for larceny already, was eentenod to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. Maintenance. —Mary Sbohan applied for un order for the protcc'.iou of her earnings against her husband, Denis Siiehan, on the ground of his constant drunkenness and habit uul cruelty. The complainant, a delicate looking woman, told a dej lcrable tale of the defendant's habitual and gross cruelty to her, which included semi-starvation und brutal threats of violence. She said| t would te preferable to live in tfcc flames of h rather than with her husband. The defendant denied the charges of starvation, and made a series of e-omplaints against his wife, that she was inattentive to his domestic comforts, and that finally she had stripped the house of the furniture and had cleared out. Defendant said constable Wallace knew the circumstances. Mr Mellish adjourned the case until the 15th instant for enquiries to be made into tho matter. ,-.j„-4