MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2073, 15 October 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHBISTOHUBCH. Fbiday, Octobbb 15.

[Before G-. L. Mellish, Esq., 8.M., and Gk L. Lee,'B. Westenra, J.P.'s, Esqrs.j

Dbunkehhe3B. —Helen Anderson and Isabella Leckie, regular olients of the Court in this respect, were fined 20s each. CoTTIHG AND Wotjhdihg.—Charles Johnston, on bail, eame up charged with an off enoe of this description on the person of W. C. Sheppard on the night of October 11th in the White Hart Hotel. Mr Joyce appeared for accused. On the night named, at about 11 o'clock, prisoner was very noisy, and had to be put out of the hotel several times, in doing which Sheppard had to use some little violence. The whole terminated in a fight in the right of way outside the hotel, during which Sheppard felt himself stabbed in the arm. The night-porter, W. H. Coulan, who had come to the assistance of Sheppard, and was actively engaged in the melee, called out about this time that he also was stabbed. Sheppard then knocked prisoner down, and took from him a knife fan ordinary pocket knife, the blade being about two inches long, was here produced and identified by witness as that be had taken from prisoner.] Witness believed prisoner was not drunk. W. H. Conlan, night porter at the hotel, gave similar evidence. He was stabbed in the shoulder from behind. Prisoner seemed sober throughout, and not much excited. Dr. Irving, who saw them shortly after the row, described the injuries of the men who were stabbed. That of Sheppard appeared to have been caused by striking the edge of a cutting instrument with considerable violence against his arm. The wound was but skin deep, and not at all serious. It was probably done by a knife, but might have been done by something else. It was not a slash or a stab. Constable White deposed to arresting prisoner at a quarter to one on the night of the 11th—12th. If the row had taken place at about 11 o'clock it must have taken nearly two hours to find a policeman. The prisoner made a statement denying that he used a knife, or that he had a knife in his possession at all. He also said that the time of the row was not as stated by Sheppard and Conlan, but must have been after half-past twelve. He was stabbed himself in the row. Mr Joyce applied for a remand. The Bench said there certainly appeared to be some conflict in the evidence for the prosecution, and possibly more might be heard of it, but a prima facie case had been made out, and it must go to a jury. Committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, prisoner in £IOO, and two sureties in £SO each. Psbjubt.—The case against Michael Murphy and James Watt, charged with this offence, was, on the application of counsel for the defence, Mr McConnel, with the consent of the counsel for the prosecution, Mr Stringer, adjourned till the 19th inst. Fohgkbt and Uttbbing.—Samuel MayfieH was charged with forging and uttering bills of exchange on from London Bank for £l3 lis Id and £lO lis, defrauding F. Gr. Bosen. Prisoner was undefended. T. T. Baldwin deposed to cashing the bills for prisoner on September 24th last. The first name on the bills was J. G-. Bosen, which prisoner said was his signature, and they were endorsed by W. Ward and W. Garland. The endorsements had been procured by prisoner at the instance of the Bank, who required them for identification of the prisoner. The money was paid in notes, the denomination but not the numbers of which were known to witness. W. Mitchell stated prisoner lodged with him. On September 24th prisoner gave him some notes to take care of. They were afterwards given up to the police. About ten days afterwards prisoner confessed to Rosen and witness that he had forged Rosen's name to tho bills. Prisoner said he had obtained a letter out of the post office addressed to Bosen. The letter was signed by a man named Skinner. The letter contained the bills. F. Gr. Bosen said he and prisoner were fellow passengers from England by the Euterpe. Witness corroborated Mitchell's statement as to the confession of prisoner. The signatures en the bills were not written by him or by his authority. Deteotive Neil deposed to arresting the accused on the 6th on the present charge. Accused said he had committed the forgery, and that Ward, one of the endorses, was one of the unemployed working at Weka Pass. Witness received that day and two days af terwards'twenty £l-notes and two sovereigns from Mitchell. Prisoner made a statement to the effect that the signature of Ward was in his own handwriting, and that there is no such man as Mr Ward. He was then committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court at Ohristchurch. Bail was not mentioned.