MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2011, 4 August 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, August 4. [Before G. U. Mellish, Reg., R.M.j Lakckny. —Richard Gillon, against whore several former convictions were recorded, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a pair of boots, the value of 20s, and property os Barnabas Hale, Christchurch. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Ohiu» Maintenance. —Mrs Fran sen appeared to lay a complaint, under the Destitute

Persons Belief Act, against C. Crumpton, for foiling to provide for her illegitimate male child. Complainant stated that the child belonged to the woman Crumpton, who is in Wellington, and a man named Davis, who i* also away, and witness undertook to take charge of it for three months on payment of 10s a week. The three months had expired and she had only received £4 10s. Hi* Worship said she was foolish to make such an agreement, in the first instance ; he could not interfere with the agreement, bat complainant might lay an information against the mother if she failed in her contributions.

LYTTELTON. Wednesday, August 4. (Before Joseph Beswick, Ktq , E.M.) The Annabella. —Four of the crew of the barque Annabella were charged with having refused to cast off the moorings when ordered to do so yesterday morning, the vessel being about to leave the wharf to go into the stream. Mr Nalder appeared for the ship, and stated that he did not wish to press the case ; indeed, it would be withdrawn unconditionally. The men were therefore discharged, but not ordered to go on board, the Bench stating that under the circumstances they would net be ordered back to the ship for the present. Addressing Mr Nalder, the Magistrate said he had received last night a telegram from the Minister of Marine to the effect that the Government, having released the vessel from detention, have no power to order a Court of Survey. Tho Misister had, however, drawn his attention to the 124th section of the Act, and as it appeared the whole responsibility of the matter had been thrown upon his (the Magistrate’s) shoulders, he would like to consider the case until next day. Mr Nalder pointed out that the charge of refusal of duty on which the seamen had been brought before the Court was not amongst those enumerated in the section of the Act referred to, and therefore until the master chose to bring one of the charges so enumerated that, section could not be applied. The Bench said it was possible that that was really the position of the men, but would take until Thursday morning to look into it. Strays.—William Mitchell, Thomas Clark, and James Lenin were fined in the usual sums for allowing cattle to stray at large. Breach of the Peace. —William Kelly and W. Blackrnore were charged with behaving in a public place, so as to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr Nalder appeared for Kelly. J. McDougall testified to having seen a crowd round the defendants, who were engaged at the time in the apparently intelligent game called “ scrapping.” The case it appeared, resulted from a difference of opinion between the parties upon the reduction of wages paid to lumpers by the Union Steamship’-iCompany. Kelly was fined 20s, Blackrnore 40s. A Blazing Chimney-.—Mary Ann Dickens whose chimney caught fire on Monday night, causing an alarm of the firebell, was fined 10s and costs. Disorderly Boys.—Five boys, each about fourteen years of age, were charged with, creating a disturbance in a railway carriage by swearing, &c. Mr George Buist gave evidence that one of them took his seat and refused to give it up. The boys admitted “ having the fun,” as stated by last witness, namely, that as fast as witness pulled one of them out of his seat another jumped it. The Bmch cautioned them not to come up again, and discharged them.