MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2015, 9 August 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Auausr 9. {Before Q. L. Melhsh, Eeq., R.M., and R Westenra, Esq., J.P.] DBUNSBNNEas. —Two first offenders were fined ss. James Connor was charged with drunkenness and also with assaulting Constable Psritt, Ho pleaded that he had not tasted strong drink for twelvo months; ho had been locked up since Saturday night, and was about to leave with his wife for Temuka. The Court ordered him to pay 20s. Ellon Taylor was fined in a like amount. Hindostanb oh Obbcbne Language.— William Stephens, a man of respectable appearance, was charged with using obscene language late on Saturday night, in Colombo street, near the Central Hotel. The arresting constable handed a slip of paper to their Worships, on which were written certain obscene expressions which, he alleged, accused had made use of. Inspector O Donnell stated that he was in the locality at the time mentioned, and heard the language complained of uttered within the hearing of passers-by. Accused emphatically denied that he had uttered the language complained of. asserted that at the time and place referred to he was conversing with a friend in the Hindootane language, and had not used one word of English. John Cracknoll deposed that he was conversing with [accosed in the Hiodoslane language, and heard no expressions of an obscene nature. The Bench remarked upon the conflicting evidence, and having a doubt on the matter, they would give accused the benefit of it, and discharge him. A Watoh-stbaleb.— Edward Reynold', • n old offender, was charged, on remand, with having stolen a watch, valued at £6, the property of Lawrence Deveril. and another watch, valued at £4. The offence was admitted, the circumstances being that accused, who was but recently discharged from gaol after undergoing a long sentence for larcancy, went to Morton's Temperance Boarding-house, where he obtained accommodation, after representing that he was without means. During the night ho went into the bedrooms and took the watches from the clothing of other boarders. When arrested by Detective O’Connor, he at fist denied bis guilt, but afterwards made a clean confession. The Court—There are two previous convictions recorded against‘you within the last twelve mouths for larceny, and as it is not worth while committing you for trial, we will pass as long a sentence us we can upon you as you admit the offences. The Bench will sentence you to twelve calendar months’ imprisonment on the first charge, and to six months’ imprisonment on the second, with hard labour; eighteen months in all.

A Chaeacteb. —John Henry Taylor, a besotted fellow who was suffering from the effect of hard continuous drinking, was charged with stealing a coat, valued at £1 15s, the property of Henry Martin. Accused pleaded guilty, and asked to be allowed to make a few remarks in mitigation of the offence. The Court—There are eight previous convictions for larceny against you. Prisoner wished to state that he had been turned out of the Addington gaol like a dog, without means or hope of employment, as the police hounded him down and made him known to all who were likely to aid him, the consequence being that be got drunk once or twice. It was a most disgraceful thing in this most enlightened ago and country that there was no society to enable prisoners to obtain relief. He objected to the Press reporters having criticised him in the way they had done, and it would redound to their credit if they would let him alone. Mr Mellish was not going to allow him to make a long sensational statement; had he nothing to say in mitigation ? Prisoner—l will appeal to your Worship to deal summarily with the case, as it is one that deserves the sympathy of the whole of the Court. I called upon Mr Cunningham for work, and he told mo to call again next day, which I did, when he said the police had given me a bad character, and consequently no one will employ me. I have no means of earning a livlihoodat all.— There are several previous convictions against you, and I am not at all surprised at your not being able to get work, when you are lost to all sense of right and wrong, and especially after so many previous convictions it is not to bo wondered at. With regard to being turned out of Addington Q-aol like a dog, it is your own fault as you should not have to be sent there. As a visiting justice of the gaol I know that no man is ever allowed to leave it penniless without something to help him along, and to get work, but an habitual drunkard, and one who the gaoler knows would spend the money given him in the first public house, it is not likely would be afforded assistance. Prisoner — During the time I have been in gaol only one Visiting Justice has seen me. The Court— You are sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor, and it is fortunate you are not committed to trial. Breach of Licensing Ordinance. Bowland Hill, proprietor of tho British Hotel, was charged with keeping open during prohibited hours. Constable Pratt, for the prosecution, deposed that while on duty on the 31st instant, ho saw two men, at 11.30 p.m., enter the British Hotel, one being a boarder, and on witness going in he noticed the billiard room open, and defendant and another playing billiards. The bar was not open ; no liquors were sold, and the place generally was wellconducted. Mr Thomas, for tho defence, admitted the facts proved. Under tho (X tenuating circumstances, a conviction would merely be entered without the infliction of a penalty. Thomas Dawn, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, was summoned for allowing gambling in his licensed house on the night of the 25th ult., and further, with keeping open during prohibited hours on the same day. Mr Thomas, for the defence, admitted both charges, and stated that the only extenuating circumstance was that defendant was not in the hotel, and was unaware of what was going on. The night porter had been dismissed for negligence. No drinks were served. Inspector O’Donnel said the esse was a very aggravated one, aa five or six men were sitting at a table with heaps of money in front of them, gambling at an early hour on Sunday morning. Mr Mellish remarked that gambling appeared to be carried on extensively in hotels. Inspector O’Donnell said the police had a difficulty in discovering such cases, ae back rooms with low lights were generally chosen. The Court inflicted a ■fine of £lO and costs for gambling, and tho other charge was withdrawn. Miscellaneous. A number of persona were fined for breaches of by-laws and keeping unregistered dogs. Violent Assault. —Thomas Pannett was charged with assaulting William Carter and Ellen Carter, at Springston, on the 29th of July. The evidence showed that accused, without any provocation, assaulted the two persona with a horsewhip. The Court commented in strong terms upon tho severe and uncalled-for nature of the assault, and remarked that it would appear that defendant was not in his right mind, and had better have medical advice. He would be fined 20s and costs on first charge, nnd 40s and costs for second offence.

LYTTELTON. Monday, August 9. ([Before Joseph Be a wick, Esq., E.M.] A Disobedient Saiuob.—John Kolpin was ■charged with disobedience of orders on board the Eemington on Sunday. Accused was discharged with a caution. Going TTndeb the Whabtes. —John Norris was charged with acting in in a manner, on Sunday afternoon, calculated to cause a broach of the peace, to wit, by going underneath the Gladstone Pier for an indecent purpose. Accused was given the benefit of the doubt and let go with a caution. Took a Gandeb. —Joseph Leslie, a boy, was charged with larceny of a gander, value 6s, the propeity of Mr Patrick O’Brien, on August sth. Mr J. Joyce appeared for the accused. Henry Bailey and Constable Cleary and Sergeant-major Mason gave evidence.

J'h« Bench thought the case had broken down, bnt considered the police were justified in bringing it before the Court. The lad was he ’ let go. Yalukibbs Cheque. —W. A. Baker was charged on remand from Dunedin with pissing a valueless cheque, amount £3, on June 22nd (last, to the proprietor of the British Hotel, Lyttelton. Mr J. Joyce appeared for the accused, and the prosecutor, Mr P. Connolly, asked the Court to allow him to withdraw from the case, but the Bench decided to take the evidence. The prisoner admitted giving the cheque at the time h« had no account, but hud poid the money since. Counsel made an earnest npreal for the prisoner, but the Court considered it would not be doing its duty unless he sent him to prUon for a month with hard labor. Lunacy ybom Dkink.—William Wallace was charged with lunacy from drink, and was sent to Suanyside for treatment.