MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2169, 7 February 1881, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRIBTOHUBOH. Monday, Eebbuaby 7. [Before B. Westenra aud D. Oaro, Btq* >

J.p.’s] w ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT Suicide. — v > ™- Ekin, a very old man, was charged with attempting to drown himself. Constable Johnston stated that he was called to the residence of a Mrs Ward on Saturday night. There he found accused, whose clothes were all wet. In answer to questions accused said he had gone into the river with the intention of drowning himself, hut some d—d fool had pulled him out. He intended however to try it again, as he was tired of his life. George Bryan, barman at the Black Horse, said he had heard accused make a similar statement in the hotel. Eliza Ward, daughter of the accused, deposed to her father being brought home on Saturday night. He said he had been trying to drown himself ; he was tired of his life. Jos. Ward said accused had a good comfortable home. He believed the attempt had been the result of drink. Witness promised if accused was given up to him to take good care of him in future. On this engagement accused was discharged. Illegal Fishing. —G. S. Baldwin and William Brooks were charged with spearing fish in the river Avon, contrary to the Act. Baldwin admitted the offence, pleading that he had used the instrument for taking eels only. Brooks denied the offence. Mr Thomas who appeared for the Acclimatisation Society, said that as this was the case ho should ask leave to withdraw tbe'charge against Baldwin on his paying the costs. This was done, and the latter was called as a witness against Brooks. He deposed that on the night of January 28th he and Brooks were out with spears for the purpose of taking eels. Witness had used his spear twe or three times after eels, but Brooks had not. David Douglas, ranger, sworn, stated that he had every reason to suppose that Brooks was anhabitualpoachcr, he had seen him repeatedly at nightime about the river banks. Defendant had two or three boys, who worked with him as scouts, to give notice to the approach of witness. He found defendant and last witness at about ten o’clock p.m. on the 28th armed with spears and a bull’s eye lantern. He asked for their names, which they refused to give. Ho followed them, and after some words Baldwin made a pass at witness with his weapon, and it pierced his clothes. Another witness corroborated the statement of Douglas. Mr Thomas addressed the Bench, maintaining that the mere carrying of the unlawful instrument was sufficient to make defendant liable to the penalty under the Act, which was a fine not exceeding ,£SO. The Court did not see their way to a conviction ; there was no evidence of Brooks having used the spear. The case was then dismissed, after a severe caution to defendant.

Rbfbactobt Appbbntiob. —G. Hyde, bootmaker, applied for the cancellation of the indentures of John Marsden, apprenticed to him. Mr Joyce appeared for plaintiff. Plaintiff stated that the boy had been before the Bench only three weeks ago, and was then reprimanded severely for neglecting or spoiling his work. Since then, except for a few days, there had been no improvement in the boy’s behaviour. He appeared to wilfully spoil material given to him to work up. He was quite capable of doing it properly, but seemed to be trying all he could to force witness to return him his indentures. Other witnesses, employes in Mr Hyde’s establishment, stated that Marsden was a refractory, idle, and moat impertinent boy. An order of cancellation was made.

Assault.—Wm. Donaldson was charged with assaulting Hugh Brabner, Mr J. S. Williams appeared for plaintiff, Mr Stringer for defendant. The parties were fellow workmen at Howland’s coach factory. Plaintiff said that having been accused of writing an anonymous letter concerning Donaldson, ho went to the factory on February 2nd, to have an explanation. When there he was savagely assaulted by defendant, who bad inflicted injuries upon him of a serious nature. The yardman at the factory, called by plaintiff, gave a description of the assault, which he said was of a very violent character. Plaintiff was drunk, and had been knocked down and jumped on while his arms wore entangled in his coat, which he was in the act of pulling off. Two other witnesses who were present, corroborated the previous statements, viz., that plaintiff was helpless, and defendant had beaten him savagely while he was lying on the ground. Defendant sworn, stated that Brabner had irritated him greatly by, as he believed, having written an anonymous letter to Mr Howland, which contained statements injurious to the character of defendant. The row took place in consequence of Brabner having challenged him to fight, making use of very abusive language. The worst of the injuries sustained by plaintiff were caused by his falling against the wall or door, and some iron on the floor. He believed Brabner came to the shop for the purpose of fighting him. Task said he saw the row. He heard Brabner call defendant a coward and a liar, striking at defendant at the same time. Donaldson knocked down Brabner, who fell with his face on some iron. Mr Howland deposed to plaintiff having threatened to take it out of Donaldson, Witness said he believed the anonymous letter had been written by plaintiff. It warned him that Donaldson was a dangerous man, &c. Plaintiff had been dismissed from work at his establishment for insolence, and ordered not to put bis foot inside the gate again. After hearing the remarks of counsel, the Bench thought a very cowardly assault had been committed, and fined defendant £4 12s, £2 to go to plaintiff. Professional fee was allowed and expenses of three witnesses. Miscellaneous,—John Thomas, who had neglected to keep a sufficient light on a scaffold in Manchester street, was dismissed with a caution. James Hunter, a cabman, was charged with leaving his vehicle unattended ; it was found, however, that the charge should have been for his plying for hire elsewhere than on a cabstand With consent of defendant the information was amended. He was fined 10s and costs 2s. Patrick Cain, for getting into a train while in motion, was fined 20s and costs 2s. J. W. Bartle, for using threatening language to Francis Innes, was ordered to pay costs. A case against J, McMahon, for neglecting to contribute to the support of his parents, was adjourned for one week.