MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9969, 23 February 1893, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, Feb. 23. (Before H. S. Ward ell. Esq., R.M.) Drunken ness.—A first offender was fined 5s and costs, with the usual alter native in default,—James Thorn was fined 03 and costs, in default twenty-four hours’ imprison ment. Alleged Inflicting Bodily Haem.George Myles was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Edward Adams, at Christchurch, on Fob. 20. SergeantMajor Mason said tho prosecutor was in the hospital and would be unable to attend the Court for about ten days. Under those circumstances he would ask for a remand. Mr Donnelly, who appeared for accused, offered no objection. The Bench then remanded accused till March 1. Bail was allowed, accused himself in one surety of JESO and two sureties of £2o each.

Assaulting a Blind Man.—Margaret Pobar was charged with assaulting Charles Sheppard on Pab. 16. Mr By-no appeared for complainant, and Mr Donnelly for defendant, who (Jenied the charge. Tho complainant, who is blind, and in the habit of standing on the Victoria street bridge selling matches, said that on Thursday last defendant came into hia house and called him a impostor and other vile names. Complainant put defendant out of his house, when she struck him on the face. When complainant was sitting on his doorstop, defendant bit him on the shoulder with a stick. Complainant could not see defendant, hut he recognised her voice. Defendant’s husband was in complainant’s house at tho time, and that was tho only reason complainant could suggest for defendant aaaaulting him. Complainant did not give defendant any provocation whatever. Margaret Sheppard, wife of complainant, said defendant was the worse for liquor and very violent whoa she assaulted witness’ husband. Edward James Yates deposed to seeing defendant strike complainant with a stick, and to ner using very bad language towards him. To Mr Donnelly ; Tho stick produced waa not the one defendant struck complainant with. Ellen Norton gave evidence. This waa the complaiaant’o case. Defendant said she was living next door to complainant, and on Thursday last some persons in hia house used very insulting language towards defendant, who went into tho house, where she was assaulted by complainant. The Bench said defendant should nob have gone into complainant's house, and she would be fined* 20s and costs.

Maintenance. Edward Marsh and William Marsh wero charged with failing to contribute towards tho support of their mother, a destitute person. Mr Joyce appeared for defendants. Complainant said she left her husband about nine weeks' ago, on account of his ill-treatment of her. Mr Joyce said the two defendants were earning -Si and £1 2s a week respectively, and one of them was engaged to ba married shortly. The Bench refused to make an order, and told complainant to apply to her husband for relief.— Samuei Thomas Longley was charged with failing to contribute towards the support of hia child, of whom Elizabeth Ann Dent was the mother. Mr Widdowson appeared for complainant, who stated that defendant bad promised to marry her, but when the arrangements were nearly completed for the marriage ceremony complainant found out that defendant was a married man. The Bench ordered defendant to pay 7s a week towards tha support 0? the child, and to pay all costs. Defendant was ordered to find one surety of J 250 and two sureties of £25 each, m default two months’ imprisonment with hard labour.—Harry H. Clark applied for an order compelling hia brothers, Charles Herbert and John George, to contribute t Awards his support. The Bench made an order for John George Clark to contribute 5a a week. No order was made against Charles Herbert, as ha had not been summoned. Charles Prebble waa charged with failing to provide his wife, Eliza Ann Prebble, with adequate means of support, and with failing to contribute towards the support of his four children. Defendant denied both charges, and stated that he had paid his wife about ill a week regularly since a deed of separation had been executed. Tha cases were dismissed.— William Smith was charged with deserting his wife, Jane Grace Smith, who stated that her husband left her about eight years ago, and she had not heard of him since. A warrant was ordered to be issued for his arrest.

Wife Desertion. —Patrick Connor, who did not appear, was charged with deserting his wife, Bridget Connor, and failing to provide her with adequate means of support, The Bench ordered a warrant to be issued for defendant’s arrest. Family Troubles. —James Thorn was charged with assaulting Grace Thorn at Sydenham on Feb. 21. Ho was farther charged with assaulting and using threatening language towards U. Y. Richards at Sydenham on Feb. 21. Mr Martin appeared for the prosecution. Defendant denied all the charges. Grace Thorn, wife of defendant, said her hu.ibacd was very kind to her when he was sober, but he was addicted to drink, and when ho was under the influence of liquor he behaved very badly towards her. Her husband came homo from grass seeding on the previous day and assaulted her. Defendant said ho gave his wife a cheque for .£lB when ho came home. She did not even thank him for the cheque, and trouble followed. O’. V. Richards said he had been lodging hi d.fondant's house for a number of years. Witness attempted to prevent defendant from abusing hi ' wife when ho struck witness on the bead. Witness struck defendant in self-defence. The Bench ordered defendant to find one surety of £25 t > keep the peace for six - months, in default six months’ imprisonment,. Defendant si*id he would not attempt tj find the nnrjtiei j he would rather go 'cc «,•!. KAIAPOI. Wednesday, Feb. 22. (Before J. L. Wilson and C. Hansen, Eaqs.) Larceny.—Anno Seawood was charged

with the larceny of a pair of blankets and several other articles, the property of W. Moody, Accused was admitted to probation for a month, ASHBURTON, Wednesday, Pjeb. 22. (Before Major Steward and W. G. Roes, Esq.) Larceny.—James Gumming, who had been convicted of drunkenness the previous day, was charged with stealing a J3l note from John O’Connor at tho Tinwald Hotel. After evidence had been heard the case was dismissed. Drunkenness. James Gumming was charged with being drunk at Tinwald on Tuesday. This being tho second offence within seven days, he was fined JS3, with the alternative of seven days’ imprisonment.—A first offender was dismissed with a caution. Vagrancy.—James Doony was charged with being a disorderly person, without any visible means of support. Sergeant Moller and Constable Hunt having given evidence the case waa dismissed.