MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1995, 16 July 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

liYTTELTON. Fbiday, July 16. [Before J. Beswick, Esq., 8.M., and J. H. Potts, Esq., J.P.J Lunacy.—John Short, having recovered from lunacy from drink, was discharged. An Oijj Offendbb.—Mary Ann Newton, on Thursday night, was found at the railway station, in a drunken and disagreeable condition. Since the latter part of September, 1877, Mary Ann had been seven times convicted for like misfortunes. ConstableMcClellan now gave evidence, and the Bench expressed their regret at being unable to make the Eenalty six months, the limit of the law being alf that term, to which the unfortunate. f emele was then .sentenced. Absent i'koh his Ship.—Oavan Marshall, steward of the barque Annabella, on ismand for being away from the vessel, was called. Mr Joyce appeared for the accused, and stated that on the day in question Marshall came on shore to obtain legal advice. He was prepared to return to his duties on board, and already had been imprisoned since Wednesday. Mr Joyce stated there was some difficulty on board the vessel in reference to her seawoithi-. ness, and he had been informed that already one of the crew to whom some £22 was due for wages, had taken his discharge rather than go to sea again in the ship. A. McDonald was called, and stated that it was the fourth time the steward had been from the ship. In reply to Mr Joyce, witness said he was the mate of the ship, the captain being on board. Counsel remarked that in cases of the sort the maßter should be present. The Bench dismissed the case, the accused undertaking to return to the ship. Labcbny.—W. E. Bradley and Kate Bradley, on remand, surrendered to their bail, and Mr Joyce, who appeared for them, called J. T. Bouse, surgeon, who stated that since the case was adjourned he had examined the girl, and was prepared to state, from a medical standpoint, that he believed it was a genuine case of cleptomania. Witness then gave particulars of certain injuries the girl had received from a fall she had had in her childhood from a window. He thought that if she was subjected to curative treatment it might have a beneficial effect, but would not express the opinion that it would result in a complete cure. Confinement in prison or in an asylum would not be as desirable a means of treating her as if she were placed in care of an attendant at home, and treated medically. Mr Joyce made an earnest appeal to the Bench in the girl's behalf, stating that it was a meal painful case, but the father was prepared to enter into any guarantee that might be required by the Court that the accused should not be at liberty without an attendant. The Magistrate said that he had consulted upon the case with a brother Magistrate, and under the peculiar circumstances, the Bench had agreed that the father should give a band of £25 in both cases for the appearance before the Court of the accused for judgment when called upon. The boy must be punished by the parent in preßonce of on officer of the Court in the meantime.