MAGISTERIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2256, 21 May 1881, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTOHUROH. . Satobdat, May 21. IBefore J. Juarahman and R. Westenra, Eeqs., J.P'b.] Tibd to A Tbbb. John Thompion was brought up for being drunk and disorderly and uoing abusive lunguage. The evidence, however, Bhowed that he had gone on Friday afternoon to a Mrs Champion's houso at Halswell, and, on being refused "tucker," ho pioked up a stick and chased Mrs Champion and daughter round the houso, using very bad language the while. There were Borne men working in a field bohind the houso, who, being alarmod by the so/earns of tho women, came up and tied prisoner to a tree, and sent for the police, who took him in charge. He was now fined £5, or in default to bo imprisoned for one month, with hard labor. TagbANCT.—Wm. Yielding, alius Loames, wai charged with this offence. Deteotive Connor doposod to lub knowledge of prisoner, who, he said, was an associato of thieves and prostitutes, never did any work, and had no apparent means of living, exoept on the proceeds of crime. Detective Thoe. Neill corroborated the evidence of previous witness. He had known prisoner tan years, as a convicted thief. Ho had been involved in a robbery oaso lately at ABhburton. He was a thorough loafer, and suspected of being concerned in many robborieß of drunken men. Witness further stated that prisoner was one of a gang who frequonted, at nights, the neighborhood of the theatre, between a bur in the Palnco Hotel and an oyßter saloon known as Burmoistor's. Their custom was to pick up drunken men in a friendly way, lead them away and rob them. Their proceedings had rendered the neighborhood mentioned unaafo for decent people to pass through. There were constant complaints of lossco by pocket picking, hocuußing, and the liko from men who remembered nothing further than that they had been knocking about the haunts bofore described. Detectivo J. Neill gave similar evidence Prisoner was sentenced to imprisonment for one month with hard labor. Wm. Ryan was similarly charged, and the same witnesses spoke of him in exactly the same terms. Prisoner said he waß a sailor, end if allowed half a chance he would ship, and his name would never again be heard of in Ohristohurch. Bergeant Morice suggested that prisoner would be better fitted to go to sea after a term of imprisonment. Prisoner received a sentence of one month's imprisonment with hard labor. _ Sowing his Wild Oatb.—Job. White was charged under the Vagrant Act with having no lawful visible moans of support. Mr Joyce appeared for the accused. The pohco stated that he was one of tho gang of which Yielding and Ryan wore membors. Detective J. Neill said he know prisoner, who waß a loafer, and associate of thieves and prostitutes. Had often seen him lead drunkon men Iromßurmeistor's to abandoned women, who were waiting for them. On one occasion ho had watched him lead a drunken man into the back promises of the Central Hotel, leave him thero", and go for his mate, who was tho man Ryan, just sentenced. On their return, howover, tho man had escaped. Ho had no doubt that prisoner helped systematically and habitually to plunder drunken men. Detective Xhos. Neill said that what tho last witness had said was strictly correct. Prisoner nzd been twico convicted in the R.M. Court, and witness was perfectly sure that ho had been connected with eovorul robbeneß, though, unfortunately, tho offencos could not be brought homo to him. Cross-examined—He had not promiood prioonor immunity from tho present ohargo if he would givo information as to certain robbories committed by his mates. Mr Joyce said this was a case of a young man " sowing his wild oats," he had gone very much to the bad, but tho charge was that he had no lawful vieiblo moans of support; he culled John White, father of prisoner, who stated that a few nights ago ho hod given his son £2 to pay for his board and lodging, and was willing to provide for him at any time. His son was a gardenor, and worked for him occasionally. The Bench said they could not convict m tao face of tho fact of the father having found him in monov, ucd professing his willingness to do more if required. Prisoner waß, it was superfluous to say, a very bad character. Ho had eacapod this time through a technicality. He had better now alter his course, or ho would certainly moet the punishment he deserved. Prisoner was then discharged.