MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1870, 20 February 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Feidat, Febeuaby 20. [Before Q-. L. Mellish, Esq , R.M.] Laeceny. — John Edward Taylor, alias Thompson, was charged with stealing a pair of trousers, the property of George Quatermain. The accused pleaded guilty, and as there were a long list of previous convictions against him, he was sentnnced to sis months' imprisonment, with hard labor. Sunday Tea ding. —Mr Mellish delivered judgment in the case of Henry Marks, charged with Sunday trading, and who was defended by Mr Stringer, He said, that although it was undoubtedly desirable that proper regulations should be established for the due observance of the Sabbath, still, as it was evident that as the provisions of the Act under which the information had been laid could not be carried out, there was no option but to dismiss the case. In fact, the Act was clearly inapplicable to the circumstances of the colony. In some places in the colony local Acts existed for the governing of Sunday trading, but he thought it was very desirable that the Legislature should pass a general Act, suitable for and applicable to the whole of the colony. In point of fact, the Act on which the prosecution had relied for a conviction was really not in force. Sergeant Morice said that in ■Victoria they had the Town and Country Ordinance, which provided for the dealing with such cases, and in Otago there was the Police Ordinance, under which informations could be laid, and it was a pity that there was not a similar one in Canterbury. Mr Mellish said, while agreeing with the remarks of the sergeant, he had no option but to dismiss the informations. There were no stocks, and a convicted delinquent could be punished in no other way.