MAGISTERIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2570, 3 July 1882, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, JDly 3. [Before J. Ollivier, Esq., R.M., and B. Westenra, J.P.] Drtthkbnness.—Bridget Ferrick, whose life has for the last few years been spent principally in gaol, received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment as a habitual drunkard. Annie Wharton was fined £l, and Jaßios Smith 10s, both in default to be imprisoned for forty-eight hours. For first offences two men were fined fu, and three others irere dismissed with cautions. Wm. Wilson, alias Stephen Strong, charged with fighting within view of a constable, was dismissed with a caution. _ . Window Breaking.—John Whittington, A. Y. Sawtell, F. H. Sawtell, and A. (Jotton were charged with breaking windows, valupd at in a bathing shed, the property of D. W. Hamilton, at Now Brighton, on Sunday. There was no evidence to connect the persons accused with the offe ■ ce, and they were discharged.—George Moßain pleaded guilty to breaking a pane of glass in a vrindow, tho property of Samuel Jacobs, on Saturday night. Ho was fined 10s and ordered to pay for the damage 5?. Obscene Language.—William Angus, a respectably dressed young man, was fined £2 for using obscene language in a public thoroughfare. Laucbny.—W. A. Orooko, an attendant at the Exhibition, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of whiskey, part of an exhibit staged by A. Mcßaa. Ho was sentenced to be imprisoned for seven days, and to be kept at hard labor. ; ’ Bbhaoms or Licensing Act.—-Edwin Oookson was charged with having sold liquor at unlawful hours, and with haying taken in pledge a gold ring in payment for the said liquor. Mr Thomas appeared for defendant. John Nixon, who has become somewhat notorious from recent proceedings in the Court, stated that at about 3 a,tn. on May 31st he got a_ glass of brandy from a servant at the City Ho si. He bad no money, but tendered in payment

a ring, which tho man accepted, and gave him 2i 6 I ia cash. Mrs Nixon stated that her husband had returned home at 3 30 »m. on tho 31st May without the ring which he wore when ho wont out, and from what sho heard from her husband subsequently, she went on Juno 9th to the Oity Hotel, and being shown the nigh*.watchman, found ho was wearing the ring, which ho returned to her on payment of 3s. For the defence, Michael Fitzpatrick, the night porter in question, swore that Nison did not visit the hotel before ten minutes past six o’clock on that morning. He was served with a pint of beer, which he partly drank. When asked for payment ho laid his ring on the counter, telling witness to keep it till the beer was paid for. Witness objected, but finally Nixcn walked away leaving the ring on the counter. Witness did not give any money. On the following morning Nison brought 6d to witness for the drink he had had. Witness returned the ring, which Nixon placed on his finger and went away. Mrs Nixon, on June Ist, asked witness about the ring, and he told her what had occurred. She had neither given him 3s, nor had he handed the ring to her. Edwin Oooksoa stated that he had no cognisance whatever of the alleged offence. 'The Bench said they believed the evidence of the night «.porter, and dismissed the oases. Charles Knowsley, licensee of the Queen’s Hotel, was charged with having supplied liquor on June 10th to one George Craw, the latter being then intoxicated. Mr Thomas for the prosecution, Mr McOoßnei for tho defence. Fourteen witnesses were examined, those on one aide generally diametrically contradicting those on the other, charges of perjury being freely bandied about, after which the case was dismissed. A case against Samuel Freeman, of the Caledonian Hotel, was dismissed, two men having informed the polios that they had be n served with drink at the house on two separate Sundays, now stated on oath that they had not been in the house at all on tbqaj days, and, as to ono of them, ho had, while under the influence of drink, misled the police. Wm. J. Lennon was charged with selling liquor, not having a licence, to John Nixon. Mr Stringer appeared for the defenos. There was no evidence for tho prosecution, except that of Nixon, who admitted having been drunk when ho went, on the night of June 20th, to the oyster saloon in Cathedral square kept by defendant. Defendant swore that nothing but oysters, fish, and coffee had been served to Nixon, who had no money to pay for them. Ho loft his watch as security for the mmoy, find his wife released it next day. Tbe ease was dismissed.