MAGISTRATE'S COURT, CHRISTCHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 122, 7 May 1853, Page 11

MAGISTRATE'S COURT, CHRISTCHURCH.

Saturday, April 80,1853,

The greatest excitement has prevailed here during the past few days, in consequence of Mr. Murrey, Landlord of the " Travellers' Home/ in Hagley Park, having been summoned to this Court upon the information of the notorious Bill Holland to answer the charges of selling spirits on the Sunday morning, for allowing cards and dice to be played, and for serving drink after hours at night. The first two charges were dismissed on Saturday last, after a careful investigation ; Holland having been cross-examined by Mr. Dampier, who defended Mr. Murrey, in the. course of which it would appear that Holland was anxious to rent the White Hart Stables and purchase a stack of hay of Mr. Jackson, but that before he ?could close his bargain it was necessary for him by some means or other to " raise the wind." The third charge was adjourned to this day at the Informer's request for the production of his principal witness who was unable from indisposition to attend last Saturday. At 12 o'clock the Magistrates took their seats, the court being very much crowded, the case was called on, and George Long, the witness alluded to, was sworn and examined by ■ the Bench, the substance of which was to the following effect :— Do you know anything of this charge against Mr. Murrey ? I have heard about it. Were you in his house at any period during the week before last ? ; Yes, on the Thursday evening. At what time of the day was it ? In the evening. I went up to town after dusk, and called in on my return. What time was that ? I don't exactly know—may be half-past 9. How long did you stay there ? Some twenty minutes or so. Have you had any conversation with Holland upon this business ? He has spoken to me about it. Now, on your oath, state to the Court what took place in that conversation. I saw Holland in at Mr. Thomson's, and he promised if I would come here and swear that he was sober on the evening I was at Murrey's, and that I was served with drink after 10 o'clock —he would shew me where to find gold, and that it would make my fortune for life. There being no other witness to support the charge, the Court was cleared, when upon readmission, the chief Magistrate addressing Mr. Murrey, said, —We are quite unanimous in our decision that this charge against you must be at once dismissed, the nature of the evidence brought before us leaves little doubt but that the whole affair has been a base attempt at conspiracy and bribery! . J Mr. Thomas Jackson addressing the Bench begged permission of their Worships to be allowed toi, make a statement before the Court respecting the case just w tried; he had found out the secret that hud been plotted against Mr.

Murrey, and wished to expose the villanous conspiracy that had been got up by certain parties.to injure an individual, and extort money from an honest man's pocket. Capt. Simeon, however, declined to hear Mr. Jackson, stating the Bench to be perfectly satisfied that Mr. Murrey left the Court without the slightest imputation whatever on his character.