MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2370, 21 October 1880, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMA RU—THIS DAY. (Before Messrs Woollcombe and F. LtCren, J.IVs.) LARCENY OF WEARING APPAREL. Annie Mitchell, a young girl 17 years of age, was charged with the larceny of a dress, valued at 30s, and a skirt, valued at 10s, the property of Sarah Wright, a cook employed at the Old Bank Hotel. The accused pleaded guilty. In answer to questions from the Bench, Detective Kirby stated that he arrested the accused yesterday afternoon ; she was wearing part of the stolen property at the time. She recently arrived from Oamaru and took a situation as a domestic servant, but did not remain in her place long. Since that time she had been stopping at different hotels. Nothing was known against her. Iti reply to the Bench the accused stated that she had nothing to say in answer to the charge except that this was the first time in her life that she had been in such a position. The Bench said that the offence with which the accused was charged was too serious to let go unpunished. They had power to inflict a heavy punishment upon the accused, but in consideration of its being a first offence, and in the hope that she would amend her ways, she would be leniently dealt with on this occasion. She would be sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labor. The Court then adjourned. TEMUKA—YESTERDA\. (Before F. Guinness, Esq., 11. M., S. D. Barker, and J. Hall, Esqs., J.P.’s)] PRACTICAL JOKING. J. Statman was charged with stealing a whip belonging to one Frank Connell. From the evidence given it appears that Connell placed his whip on the ground while assisting a man to do some work, and that the accused took it away. The accused said he took the whip but it was only a joke on his part. He thought it belonged to one Hoare, with whom he had played larks of the same nature before. His Worship dismissed the case, but cautioned the accused against such pranks in future. ASSAUI/r. W. McNair was charged by John Cain with having assaulted him at the Temuka racecourse. The offence was admitted, and accused was lined 20s and costs for being drunk and disorderly ; he was also fined 5s and costs. THE THICK OF A LANDLORD’S WHISKERS. C. Flynn was charged with assaulting Mr J. Ollivier, in his licensed hotel, on Oct. 13. Mr Hamersley for plaintiff, and Mr Austin for defendant. J. Ollivier deposed—l am licensee of the Temuka Hotel. About 9.30 p.m, on the night in question the accused had his coat off, and was wanting to fight the barman, 1 tried to get his coat on, when he turned on me. I then ordered him out, but he refused to go, and used obscene language. I then jumped over the counter and put him out. While I was doing so he caught hold of my

whiskers, and pulled a quantity out. I received a blow in my eye. I cannot say who struck me as my head w.is pulled down. Next morning Flynn came back for more drink, but I would not serve him, and he again wanted to fight me. By Mr Austin—l struck him in the ribs but not until he had hold of my whiskers. I thought it time then to do something. J. Morin deposed—l am barman at the Terauka Hotel. I refused to supply Flynn with liquors on the night in question. I asked him to leave, and Mr Ollivier asked him also. He wanted to fight. Ollivier put him out. I could not say what happened outside. He was pretty well on, but not drunk and he knew what he was doing. W. Bently and S. Burrows were also examined.

Mr Austin called Mr Quinn, Mr Wills, and Sergeant Carlyon, who gave the accused a very good character. His Worship said the Bench regretted to see a person bearing a good character committing such an offence as was charged against him, but as a warning to others, he must be fined. The fine and costs amounted to 15s. CIVIL CASES. Several cases were settle! out of Court. Roddick v Elder—Claim £52 4s Id. Mr Austin for plaintiff; Mr Hamersley for defendant. This was a very complicated case of contra accounts. Judgment for £ls.