MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1919, 19 April 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

OHRISTCHUROH. Monday, Apbil 19. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dbttnk and Disobdebly. Two first offenders wero fined ss, and one woman 20s. Vagbancy. Johanna Gallagher was brought up charged with having no lawful visible means of support. Sergeant Hughes gave evidence that the accused wa3 only five weeks out of gaol, and had no place to live in but open Bections about the city, where her presence was a scandal and a nuisance. Sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. Assaulting a Wipe.—George Sirett was charged with assaulting his wife, Charlotte Sirett. The prosecutrix gave evidence to the effect that, on Saturday last, her husband came home drunk and amused bimßelf by smashing their household effects, and finished by kicking her and threatening to knock her down like a pig. A witness was called in corroboration of the wife's statement, and the constable who arrested the accused said that he found the windows of the house smashed and the place in thorough confusion. The accused was fined 60s, and bound over to keep the peace for six months.in two sureties of £25 each. Laecbnt.—Richard Gillon was charged with stealing a shirt, value 8s 6d, the property of George Quarterman. The accused pleaded guilty, and, as there were three previous convictions against him for larceny, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Stealing Money.—James Ryan, remanded from tho 13th inst. on the charge of stealing £25 from the person of Thomas Donaldson, was again brought up. Mr Stringer for the accused. All witnesses being ordered out of tho court, the prosecutor, Mr Thos. Donaldson, stated that he was a laborer, residing in Madras Btreet. On the 12th inßt. ho was in company with James and Edward Welsh. He went with them to the Bank of New Zealand. His son-in-law, James Welsh, got a cheque cashed for £SO. Witness saw the money when he came out. All three of them went to the City Hotel, and Jas. Welsh counted all his money to hiß brother, Edward Welsh, but he could only find twenty-one £1 notes. Both the Welshs' went out to seek for the money, and the witness found two £lO and one £5 note on the floor. The witnesa here stated that he had made a mistake in substituting the ' City ' for tho Central Hotel. He showed that money to the Welflhs' in the street, and then put it into a Bide pocket of his coat. Anyone could have seen him do it. All three then started for home, by way of Durham street, when the prisoner came up and put hiß left arm round the neck of witness. At the same time he (prisoner) put his hand into the pocket of witness and took out the money. Witness seized hold of prisoner, and charged him with robbing him. Prisoner threw up his arms, and exclaimed "You can rife me." Witness then "gripped" him, and Edward Welsh went for the police When the latter was about twenty or thirty yards away prisoner tried to break away from witness and James Welsh. Witness had " g"PP e< i * no prisoner's breast pouches " that is, caught hold of his pockets. Prisoner got away, pursued by witness and his companions, and four or five streets were traversed before ho waa captured. They then took tho prisoner away to the police station. The money stolon belonged to witness's son-in law, Jameß Welsh. Edward Welsh, a joiner, living in Peacock street, said that on tho 12th inst. he was in company with the last witness. Went down to hio house between one and two o'clock, from thence to the Bank of New Zealand, where James Welsh went in and cashed a cheque, witness nnd Thomas Donaldson remaining outside. They all three adjourned to tho Shadea, and from thero to Cross's, tho ironmonger's. They then went to tho City Hotel, and afterwards to the Central Hotel. Witness'a brother then counted over tho money to witness, and found himself £25 short. Tl ey both went out to go to the ironmonger's, to inquire after the money, when Thomns Donalson came up and said he had some money on him, but could not say what it waa —he did not show any of it. _ They subsequently went to a oorr.or. and Thomas Donaldson showed thorn £25. After showing the money, Thomas Donaldson put tho money into nn outside pocket of his coat. They oil went up Durham street, when prisoner camn up botween witnes3 and Thomas Donaldson.

Putting his arm tho neck of the latter he said, " I have seen you in ABliburton. Ho did n >thing else. ; Mr Donaldson accused prisoner of robbery. Witness and Donaldson searched the prisoner, and witness went for the police. The prisoner then broko away. Witness turned and joined his companions in chasing tho prisoner until he was captured and taken to the look up. William Bateman, sworn, deposed that on the day of the alleged robbery ho was returning to his residence in Manchester street about half past 5 p.m. when he was attractod by seeing the prisoner running. Hearing a great deal of noise behind him, ho stopped tho prisoner, but as the latter said he had been illused by Borne persons and begged to be allowed to go witness let him. Shortly after some persons came up, and one of them said, " That man," meaning prisoner, " has ruined us ; he has taken £SO belonging to us." Witness then gave chase again, and overtook tho prisoner, and told him that after what he had just been told he must detain him- Prisoner made no objection to going with witness as long as the persona he was accused of robbing wore not allowed to illuee him. One of tho three persons wanted to assault the prisoner, and witness believed he would have done so had he not threatened to knock him down. Prisoner said he had been searched and he had only 3s about him. Thoy shortly after mot a peace-officer, and the'priaonor was given into his custody. Constable Lawler deposed to having arrested thefprisoner on tho evening of the 12th inst., at the instanoe of Thomas Donaldson, who gave him in charge for stealing £25 from his person. On his way to the station the prisoner said, I laid my hand on his shoulder mistaking him for a man I had known at Ashburton. I did not take his money, all that I have js 3s 6d. Witness took prisoner to the lock-up, where, on being searched, the sum of 3s 3d was all that was found upon him. For the defence, Mr Stringer called James Welsh, who, being sworn, said he remembered hearing Donaldson say he had been robbed, and saw tho prisoner held by Edward Welsh and Donaldson. Prisoner had taken off his coat for it to be searched. He then commenced to struggle with them, and got away, pursued by witness. Did not remember threatening to punch the prisoner. Believed he did threaten the prisoner on coming up to him the second time. Mr Stringer, having addressed the Bench, the accused was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court.