MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1815, 15 December 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

OHRISTCHUROHt Monday Deceiibeh. 15.. [Before Q-. L. Melliah, Esq., R.M.I Deunk and Disoedeelt; —Three” first offenders were fined 5s each, one 10s, and one 20s. A hardened female who had been repeatedly before the Court was- sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Laeceny. Thomas Jones and David Tucker, alias Tupper, alias Draper, who were remanded from last Friday on a series of charges of breaking into premises and stealing a variety of articles, were again brought up. The prisoner Tucker was convicted on three charges, and Jones on one, the sentence being deferred, and they were now jointly charged with breaking into the premises of Lightband, Allan and 00., and stealing therefrom a quantity of leather, value £7, their property. The evidence for the prosecution has already been published, and Jones now called witnesses to prove that he was in the Junction Hotel on the night of Monday the Bth inst. at the time of the alleged robbery. One of the witnesses, named Henry Vigors, swore that the prisoner went home in his company, and slept in his house that night. Both prisoners were committed for trial on this charge at the next sessions of the Supreme Court. On the. charge of stealing spoons the property of Douglas Luokie. Both prisoners were sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour, and in the case of stealing carpenters’ tools from J. Harrap and R. Ayers two sentences of six months’ imprisonment with hard labour were passed on Tucker, the sentences to be cumulative. Obscene Language. —Maria Wells was charged with making use of obscene language in Tuam street. A fine of 10s was imposed. IJnbegistebed Dogs. —James Wallace was fined 40s for having two unregistered dogs in his possession. Beeach of Public Woeks Act.— W. B. Pyne was summoned for driving a horse and cart across the railway line when an engine and carriages were approaching on the 22nd of August last. The defendant was fined 20s. Nicholas Columbus was fined 20s for using insulting language to Daniel McVey, a railway official, on the 27th of September, at Southbridgo. Bkeach of the Sheep Obdinance. Thomas Morgan was fined 20s for having in his possession a quantity of sheep unbranded. Bathing in a Pune Place. Three young men, named John Halligan, William Christie, and John Edmond Lock, were charged with publicly bathing in the river during prohibited hours. The bathing was admitted, the excuse being that there was a board up notifying the public that bathing was prohibited between the hours of 2 and 6 p.tn. Mr Inspector Hickson said that by the 23rd sub-section of the Canterbury Police Ordinance, bathing within view of a public place was prohibited between the hours of S a.m. and 8 p.m., and that one of the defendants was in the water even before G p.m. His Worship said that the attention of the Domain Board ought certainly to be called to the notice board, as in the face of it being where it was to mislead the public, he did not see that he had any other option but to dismiss the defendants. The defendants were discharged. Assault. —Jane James was summoned for assaulting Esther Lawrence. “The alleged assault was of the most trivial character, the complainant being about three years of age, the defendant about fourteen, and all the witnesses to it being of tender years. The assault appeared to have consisted in the defendant throwing a salmon tin at the juvenile complainant, but there was no witness to the fact. Mr Mellish said the case was a most trumpery one, which ought not to have taken up the time of the Court. He should dismiss it. Charlotte Ayers, jun., was then charged with assaulting Mary Lawrence by striking her in the face with a clod of dirt. This case was a variation of the former one, and the whole affair was the consequence of neighbors living in an unneighborly manner. His Worship thought that the clod of earth had been thrown in this case, although he had no doubt there were faults on boths sides. If there was any more of this sort of thing he should have to bind over all parties to keep the peace. A fine of 5s and coats would be imposed. Beeach of Railway Oedinance. A lad named Alfred Allsopp was summoned for throwing gravel on the railway line at Prebbleton on October 9th. A plate-layer named John Woodbury gave evidence that the defendant’s dray had crossed on the day in question, and about two barrow-loads of shingle had fallen out of it on to the line. The defendant admitted the fact, but said it was an accident arising from tail board falling off. He had told his master John Smith that the tail-board was loose, but ho had taken no notice of it, but sent him to work again. A flue of 20s and costs was imposed. Destitute Pebsons Relief Oedinance. —This was an ajourned case against Mary Sheehan, seeking protection against her husband Denis Sheehan, on the ground of his continual ill-treatment. The defendant said his wife had a comfortable home which she could go to if she liked, but on the other hand if she desired a separation she could have it. A protection order was granted.

Abusive Language. — Herman Cook was charged with making use of abusive and insulting language to Elizabeth Forrest, calculated to cause a breach of the peace. The offence being proved on the evidence of a witness, the defendant was fined 40s and costs. Assault. —Margaret Donnelly was charged with assaulting Eleney Miller, on the South Town Belt, on December 11th. The defendant admitted striking the complainant, hut said the latter came up with a two-pronged fork and bullied her over the fence, and she only defended her life. This statement was corroborated by the defendant’s husband, who stated he saw the complainant make a “drive” at his “woman” with a pitch fork, and the latter threw a clod of earth at her,, which was the assault complained of. After hearing further evidence, the defendant was fined 40s, and bound over, in the sum of £2oj to keep the peace, or in default, cno month’s imprisonment. LYTTELTON. Monday, Decembeb 15. [Before J. T. Rouse, E.-q., J.P/j Fighting. —George Pittman, a native, and Prank Bowles, were charged with fighting in view of a constable, on Norwich Quay, on Saturday afternoon. The Bench fined Bowles 20s, and dismissed the charge against the native. Inebeiates. —Elizabeth Lynch and her husband were both charged with being drunk on Sunday morning. They were respectively fined 20s, or 48 hours.