MAGISTERIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2491, 31 March 1882, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, Makoh 31. [Before E. Beetbam, R.M., J. Ollivier, R.M., G. L. Lee and R. Westenra, J. P.’s ] Drunkenness. —Joseph Hannon, for being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart in High street, was fined £l, and ordered to pay 5s expenses of one witness, or in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment with hard labor. Peter Brown was fined 10s, D. McDonald and another man were fined each ss. Louisa Stokes and R. MoLelland, who had been sent to Addington gaol for medical treatment, having been suffering from the effects of excessive drinking, were ordered to pay 10s 6d each for their maintenance while in gaol, and were discharged. Wife Desertion. —John Morgan, brought on warrant from Timaru, was charged with deserting his wife Ellen Morgan and four children since September 13th last. She stated that he had gone away to Wanganui on the date named, saying that he would send for her when he got work. He had not sent for her, and she had only received £4 from him since he left. Prisorer said he had now got a situation to go to at Timaru, and having means he had no objection to take his wife and family, and make a homo for them. This was agreed to by plaintiff, aad prisoner being discharged, they loft the Court together. Laboknt. John Kettenburg was charged with having stolen a saddle, valued at £2 ss, the property of F. G. P. Leach, in Christchurch. Prisoner being absolutely deaf, was accommodated with a ohair, and communicated with by writing. Prisoner admitted having borrowed the saddle, but said he intended to return it. He had, however, pawned it for 15s at Stewart’s pawnbrokery. The owner of the saddle said prisoner was a sort of rough rider for Mr Page and others. He was considered to be rather “ soft ” (weak in intellect). Sergeant Mason said there was a number of similar charges against prisoner. He was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. The money obtained from the pawnbroker, and the saddle, were ordered to be returned to their owners. Registration of Electors' Roil— On the application of Mr G. L. Lee, Registrar of Electors, certain names on tho roll for the Stanmcre district were ordered to be struck off, diligent enquiry having failed to find the men they represented. THE HIGH STREET ASSAULTS. John Gilpin, alias Long George the stutterer, now under sentence for a scries of assaults, was brought up, having been remanded twice previously, charged with having on February 25th last, assaulted Win. Clements, thereby doing him grievous bodily harm.

Sergeant Mason conducted the prosecution. Mr Button stated that ho had been retained by Court Star of Canterbury, A.0.P., Nor 2309, to watch the case on behalf of M. Clements. Prisoner was undefended. Wm. Clements, hotel waiter, residing in Christchurch, deposed that on the night of February 25th, about 11.30 o’clock, bo was passed in High street by four men. One of them said, “I want to speak to you.” Witness turned back, when, without further parley, the man who accosted him struck him in the eye. Two of the others came up, and the three attacked him together. The remaining one stood and looked on. He received a blow on the jaw, which rendered him insensible till about 1.15 a.m,, when he found himself lying in a paddock near the scene of the assault. He found his face very much swollen, three of his teeth loose, and his eyes closed by swelling. He went home; Dr. Patrick was sent for, and had been attending him ever since. He had been in good health, and had never seen any of his assailants before he was attacked. Prisoner was the man who struck him first.

To Prisoner—“l swear you are the man who first struck me.’’

Dr. Patrick gave evidence as to the injuries received by Clements. When called in witness found the flesh around Clements’ right eye blackened ; the oye was suffused with blood. The lower part of the face and upper part of the neok wore swollen, bruised, and discolored. The upper part of the jaw on the loft side was splintered, two teeth being loose, and the adjacent parts were much inflamed. Pus afterwards formed in three places, causing great pain. Clements had become very much reduced in health by his injuries, and had been unable to work ever since, being confined most part of the time to his bed. Witness had no doubt this was caused by the beating ho had received. Richard Chamberlain, aged about eighteen, laborer, residing at St. Albans, deposed that on the night of the assault he left the Oaversham in company with prisoner and two or three others. When they reached Jenkins’ corner witness, hia cousin, Edwd. Chamberlain, and prisoner, met Clements. Prisoner called to Clements, and on his approach struck him and knocked him down on the footpath. Clements had given no provocation. Witness and the others then went away. He saw Clements stagger up, hut did not know what became of him. .Edward Chamberlain corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Prisoner said that after the assault Ohas. Chamberlain told him that it was Dick Oharabsriain who had broken Clement’s jaw. Prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next sessions of tbo (Supreme Court to be held at Christchurch,