MAGISTERIAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2716, 22 December 1882, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, December 22

[Before'.J. Ollivier, Esq., R.M., R. Westenra, Esq., Major Bamfleld, Esq., J.P.’s.]

Drunkenness. — E . Kate Stevens,charged with lunacy from drink, was remanded till December 29th for medical treatment. For first offences four men wore fined each ss. Harry Price, for being drunk and using obscene language, was fined dll ss, all with the usual terms of imprisonment in cases of default.

Conspiring to Defraud. — A case of this kind brought under the Bankruptcy Act against John Adam Berg and William Nimmo, in which Mr Button appeared to prosecute, Mr McConnel for the defence, was adjourned till December 29tb, it being understood that further adjournments would be granted till January 12th. Neglected Children. —Emily, Charles, and Maude, children of Michael and Isabella Murphy, were brought up to be committed to Burnham, but Mr McConnel stated that he was at last able to annouce an arrangement between the parents, and asked an adjournment for a fortnight, which was granted, the father to pay Mrs Murphy £2 per week, or more if required, for maintenance.

Wife Desertion. A case against Michael Murphy was adjourned till January sth, he not being able to attend.

Stealing and Receiving. —E. Carter was charged with having stolen ten yards of matting, valued at 15s, and Henry Stapleton with having stolen a blanket, valued at 10s, both articles the property of the Amberley Town Hall Company, on the evening of December 16th, when there was an entertainment in the Town Hall, in which the accused took part as performers. Robert and Rose Shott wore charged with receiving the above goods. Inspector Pender said he had reason to believe that the woman had acted under coercion of her husband, and she was discharged. Some formal evidence having been given, the remaining prisoners were remanded to Amberley, to appear there next Court day. Bail was allowed, themselves in £SO, and two sureties: each in .£25.

Passing False Cheques. —John Hughes, alias Gilleece, was brought up charged with uttering the following valueless cheques : —£7 to John Fox, on April 18th, 1831 ; £4 to Edward Ravenhill, on April 14th, 1881 ; £5 to Candy and Dewsbury, on August 12th, ISS2 ; £5 to Geo. Sheppard, on December 15th, 1882 ; and £lO to Segismund Cohen, on December sth, 1882. Mr Inspector Pender conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was undefended, and pleaded not guilty. After evidence had been taken, the prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court, to be hold at Christchurch.

Miscellaneous. —William Atkinson was fined 10s for allowing a horse to wander. An application for a protection order by Kate Duggan, and for a separate maintenance for herself and five children, on the ground of the gross cruelty of her husband Patrick, was refused.

AMBERLEY. Thursday, December 21. [Before F. Courage, Esq., and A. Broadfoot, Esq., J.P.’s.] Threatening to Shoot. —George Ruddick was charged with having, on the 14th instant,' threatened to shoot Thomas McNaught. The accused was undefended, and pleaded not guilty. Constable Watt called A. Cameron, G. Holton, and T. McNaught, who gave lengthy evidence in support of the charge. Constable Watt also gave evidence as to the arrest, and finding a six-chambered revolver upon the accused, all the chambers being loaded. The accused, when called upon to answer the charge, made a rambling statement as to some secret societies being in the district, some of the members being against him. The reason he had the revolver with him was because stock, &c., had been stolen from his employer’s (Mr McNaught) farm, and he wanted something to protect himself with. After a short deliberation the Bench remanded the accused for medical examination. Upon the Court resuming, evidence was given by Drs. Ovenden and Morris as to the accused being of unsound mind, and he was committed to the Sunnyside Asylum.