MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1996, 17 July 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHUROH. Satubdat, July 17. [Before G-. L.. Lee, Ksq, J.f.; and B. Weetenru, E-q., J.P.] A. Oektknasian.—Mary Ann Cook cele brated a centenary in the dock, and admitted the charge of drunkenness against her, although only a few days ago she was acquitted on the understanding that she would leave Christ church never more to return.

Aocused pleaded that a glass or two with friends had been too much for her. She was fined ss. An Obstbttctionist. —Charles Love pleaded guilty to drunkenness, making use of obsoene language, and obstructing Constable M'Carthy in the execution of his duty. He was fined 20s and 2s cab hire. Cool Cttstombb.—Eustace Walsh, a young man, well dressed, was oharged with attempting to obstruct Constable Glaokin in the execution of his duty. Accused supposed he must admit the offence, as he was very mixed and did not remember. The Bench ordered him to pay » fine of 20s. Accused—What I want to know is—ls there any possibility of having my name kept out of the papers ? The Bench was silent on the subjeot. ROBBINO A Boabdbb.—Araminalla Gaskin, agei thirteen, was charged with stealing a comforter and pair of stays, the value of 21s, and property of Margaret Maguire. Mr Joyce appeared for the defence. Prosecutrix stated that she had been living at the house of Mrs Gaskin, mother of accused. After remaining a week she went to the Victoria Hotel, leaving her box locked at Mrs Gaskin's. On going back a few days after the discovered that it had been broken open, and a comforter and a pair of Btays abstracted. The former was found in posaeosion of accused, but it had been dyed since witness last saw it. The stays were found in Mrs Gaakin's bed. Accused denied all knowledge of the articles at the time, but subsequently admitted having taken them. Cross-examined—Witness may have called her a bare-faced liar if she denied having taken the articles, but did not lay hands on her. Margaret Grimes, who had been living at the same placa as prosecutrix, deposed to seeing accused dye the comforter. Detective Neill stated that acting on information received from prosecutrix he went to Mrs Gaslon's house, and there made search for the articles alleged to have been stolen. He found the stays in a bed, but only on making a second search, and they had evidently been secreted there while he was in the house and between the interval of the two searches. Accused was given into custody, and her mother then aeked her if she bad opened the box. She said she had. The mother of prisoner was called to give evidence for the defence. She stated that accused had made use of the articles with the consent of prosecutrix. The articles were lying loosely about the house, and prosecutrix herself put the comforter on accused to go out in. There was a second charge, which, however, was >Hthdrawn. In the case heard the Court iid not consider the evidence sufficiently strong to warrant a conviction, and acquitted accused.