MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1974, 22 June 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

OHB.ISTCHURCH. Tuesday, June 22. TBefore B. Westenra and J. E. Parker, Esqs., J.P.'s] A Labbikin. —William Brosnahan alias James Boslin, a grown up member of the genus larrikin, was charged under tho "Vagrant Act with having no lawful means of Bupport. The constable who arrested accused said he had known him for the last thirteen months to be nothing but a worthless fellow who would do no work, was a gambler, an associate of thieves and low characters, and had served a sentence in Dunedin Gaol for larceny. He had been cautioned to leave the town, and did so, but returned after a short time to resume his bad practices. There had been a conviction against him in Wellington for larceny. Accused denied that he had been convicted in Wellington; he had only been bound over to keep the peace there. Detective John Neil deposed that he bad known prisoner for nine or ton months, during which time he had done no work and had no lawful means of support. Ho was an habitual gambier, his modus operandi being to_ go round the hotels at a late hour of the evening, accompanied by a pal, and engage with some half-drunken fellow in a game of billiards. After allowing his vicfim to got many points ahead ho would induce him to bet, and then win the game by his superior play. Witness had seen him thus playing at tho Palace Hotel and at Warner's. Detective Thomas Neil gave corroborative evidence, describing accused as " one of the worst possible characters." Witness was present when he was imprisoned in Dunedin for robbing a till. Mr Westenra —ln this case the Bench will convict you on the charge, but do not wish to imprison you, and will give you a chance. Now the beßt thing you can do is to clear out and do some •work. Mr Parker—You need not leave the town. I have no doubt tho police will not interefere with you if you wish and try to earn a livelihood. Prisoner was then set at liberty. Webcking a "Diseeptjtabliß Hottsb.— John Blyth, a young man with a bucolic appearance, was charged with having, on the 16th of May, attacked a house of ill-fame occupied by Bose McCluskie, Sydenham, broke four cups and saucers, one table, and a chair, the whole to the value of £3. It appeared that accused, with a number of other roughs, had committed the damage ' between them. On the "application of Sub- [ Inspector O'Donnell the oaso was adjourned : until Thursday, for the of wit- ; nesses. '

A Candidate pok Ohaeitt. John Blyth, a middle-aged man, who presented a pitiable appearance through exposure and privation, appeared before the Court to plead that he had no lawful means of support. He had given himself up at (he police station at a late hour the previous evening, Btating that he had no means of subsistence, no friends, and no place of shelter ; that he had applied at the Armagh street Befuge and they would not take him is. He was asthmatical and Dr. Turnbull, who examined him this morning, certified that he was unfit to work and was not a proper subject for the Hospital. Applicant stated that he had been cook at the Ash burton Home for nine months, but left through a disagreement with ono of bis superiors. He was remanded until the following day to see what could be done for him.