MAGISTERIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2394, 5 December 1881, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

OHBIBTOHU BOH. Monday, December 5. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., B.M.] Drunkenness. —D. Burke, who had been arrested for eccentric behaviour in the street, was brought up charged with lunacy from drink. The police state i that he had been wandering about town for the last fortnight without any apparent moans of subsistence, and behaving in an extraordinary manner. Ho had been quiet since his arrest. He was in a filthy condition. He was remanded for medical examination. For first offences, four men were Sued 5s each. James Murrane, for being drunk, was fined ss, and ordered to pay 10s for breaking a pane of glass in a tramcar. Sarah Longden, for using obscene language, was fined 20s. Thomas Le Bean, for being drunk and fighting, was fined 15s. Labcbny.—James Davis, aged fomteen, pleaded guilty to stealing two walking sticks from the hairdresser’; shop of Mr E. A, Garnett, Cashel street, on October 18th. He said that early one morning ho had found the sticks hanging outside the shop, end bo thought there was no harm in taking them. The Magistrate said he had seen prisoner before, and had not formed a good opinion of him. It appeared he had been sent out here from a charitable institution in England. Ho would not now be sentenced to a long term of imprisonment, but sharper means of reformation would bo adopted. He was sentenced to forty-eight hours’ imprisonment, ana to receive eighteen lashes of the oat-o’-nine-tails.

Alleged Hobbb Stealing. —J. W. Crabtree, on remand from December 2nd, wag again brought up charged with stealing a horse, the property of John Holt. The case for the prosecution had been completed at the former hearing. It was, in brief, that the owner of the horse had seen prisoner drive the horse out of a yard belonging to prosecutor, and the horse was found in his possession the same night some distance from the place it had been taken from. Prisoner obtained a remand for the production of witnesses. He now called Thomas Clifford, a lad aged about 15, who said be met and was with prisoner on the night of Tuesday last, in a street near Dudley’s Creek. Prisoner had withlhim a grey mare, a horse and a cow. Witness saw a horse running loose, prisoner caught it. Prisoner did not go into any yard, or into the street where Mr Holt lived. Knew that prisoner was accustomed to pound cattle, but did not know how long he had been following that occupation. When witness left prisoner on the night in question the latter had in his possession three horses, one being the property of Mr Holt—the horse that was alleged to be stolen. Cross-examined by Sergeant Pratt —The mare belonging to Mr Holt was found by prisoner feeding by the side of the creek. Thomas Burrows being called, stated he was twelve years old. He had been to school for two years, but could not read. He did not know what the Bible was. He was sworn, and dooosed that ho was the (Heathcote) poundreeper’s son. Prisoner often went with him, and sometimes with his father of nights, for the purpose of 'picking up stray cattle and impounding them. He went with prisoner on Tuesday last. The first thing prisoner “ got” was a cow, which was tethered. Prisoner untied the rope and took it away with the cow. He described the finding of other beasts, and of Mr Holt’s horse, as had been stated by the previous witness. Prisoner did not go into any enclosed place. When he had “got” the horse he cantered away with the lot before him. To the Magistrate—Prisoner cantered about half a mile. Witness was riding a horse belonging to prisoner. Clifford was riding a horse of his own. Witness often went out “ impounding” horses. When horses were found tethered on roads they were loosed and taken to the pound. Prisoner was then committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court to be held at Christchurch. Bail was refused. Mr Hellish called the attention of the police to practices disclosed by the evidence of the’witnespes Clifford and Burrows. He inferred that a most discreditable system was being pursued, and the proper authorities should be informed of it for the protection of the public, who otherwise would most certainly protect themselves. Ho requested Sergeant Pratt to report the circumstances to the Heathcote Boad Board. Alleged Assault. —Mr Thomas mentioned a case in which an information had been laid by David Edward Davis against B. Cookson and G. Sheppard. There had been an application for its withdrawal, but before that was done the speaker wished to say that the prosecutor admitted that there had been no assault, and consequently there could be no imputation that his client had been bought off. Mr Joyce, for the prosecutor, objected to that way of putting it. The person who had laid the information now simply wished to withdraw the charge without qualification. Mr Thomas went on to say that, without his explanation, the case might perhaps be rememberod by the Magistrate against Mr Cookson. The Magistrate said he thought there could bo nothing to induce the fear that ho would be biased by something he had never heard about. There was nothing before him, and how could he be influenced in any way ? The Magistrate further said he had no objection to allow the charge to bo withdrawn, which was done, and the matter dropped. Miscellaneous. —Thomas Linn was fined 5s and costs for having neglected to present his child for inspection to the proper officer at the expiration of eight days’ after vaccination. —Michael Byon, in arrears £8 10s for the support of his child at Burnham, was ordered to pay an instalment or go to prison for four weeks. —George Hammil, a cabdriver, charged with assaulting a man, from whom ho had solicited a fare, came up after adjournment, and called three witnesses in contradiction of the ease for the prosecution. The Magistrate thought justification had not been made out, and fined defendant 10s. — Antonio Juris wag ordered to pay 10s per week towards the support of his two children at Burnham.—George Hyde and Daniel Sorimgeour, two boys aged about ten years, were charged with smashing windows breaking thirty-seven panes of gloss in an empty house belonging to Mr Stanley Edwards, at Coahmere, on November 26th. Mr Stringer appeared for defendants. The evi- ! dence was very oontradiatory, and the case was dismissed.