MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6493, 19 December 1881, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRIS COB ÜBOH. Sattjbdat, Dko. 17. (Before J. Ollivier and J. B. Parker, Esqs.) Deitneeknbbs. — A first offender, who had been drunk in Armagh street on Deo. 16, was fined 6s.—Mary Cunningham, against whom there was a long list of previous convictions, was ordered to be looked up for 96 hours, and warned that if she again appeared three months wonld be-the consequence.—Spencer Lummia was fined 6s. Asbaui/T. —lsaac Burt was accused of violently assaulting Thomas Hawkes, with intent to do grievous boaily harm, on Deo. 11. This case had been adjourned from Deo. 13, for the production of further evidence. Mr Holmes, for the aoonied, produced apian of tbe house and garden, with a view of showing that the front of the house could not be easily seen from the road. He called Jane Winter, who said she was in Burt’s house on the day of the disturbance, when she saw complainant, Hawkes, drop a knife which was picked up by defendant, who threw it to his wife, but she was prevented from getting possession of it through being pushed down by Hawkes. Kelly Boss deposed to seeing complainant strike defendant and knock him off the sofa in bis house. Sergeant Pratt said in answer to the Bench that tbe police had not been able to ascertain anything with respect to the knife in question. Mr Hubbard explained the plan. Mr Holmes addressed tbe Bench for his client, submitting that the complainant wo* tho aggressor. The Bench were of opinion that the whole of the evidence was extremely unsatisfactory. Tho statement of complainant, though of a very probable character, was not supported by any independent witnesses. The case would be dismissed.

Ekbbzzihmbkt.— John Symington was charged, on remand from Deo. 16, with embezzling the sum of 2s, the property of Caleb James Lee, on Deo. 12, at Christchurch. The prosecutor said he had engaged the accused at the rate of £1 per week and- his board, to hawk meat round and other duties. On Deo. 12, be had sold a piece of beef to Mr Garland for 2s, which amount ho had not paid to witness. The accused said he had entered into an arrangement with prosecutor with regard to the sale ct meat, to the effect that he was to pay a certain price, and make a profit himself. At the conclusion of tho case, the Bench expressed the opinion that the accused was guilty, and observed he had been previously convicted on a similar charge. Sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

AMBEBLEY. Sattjbdat, Dbo. 17. (Before A. Broadfoot and F. Courage, Esq.) Labceky op a Swag.— W. Jackson, arrested on Friday evening by Constable Watt on a charge of stealing a swag from Mr Murray’s waggon on Tuesday last, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, some of tho articles in the swag having been found in bis possession.