MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, June 27. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., S.M.) Alleged Fokgeb.. in a Post Office Okdeb. — Elizabeth Ann Gwatkin was charged with having, on April 10th, at Christchurch, forged the signature to a Post Office order; and John Barker was charged with having procured her to commit tho said forgery. Mr Hoban appeared for Mrs Gwatkin; Mr Donnelly for Barker. Mrs Gwatkin had been brought up on thg"2oth inst., when the circumstances of tile" r e_se were fully reported. The facts as bbSy given in the evidence were that Barker, working on the' Midland Railway woik_ at Springfield, was bound by agreement to send half his wages to his wife, who, living at Wanganui, declined to come to Christchurch. To stop her allowance, and so induce her to join him, he caused the half pay to be made payable in Christchurch; He wrote to Mrs Gwatkin, who is a distant relation, telling her to receive the Post Office orders sent by the Works Department, and sign his wife's name to the receipt. On April 10th, Mrs Gwatkin got a Post Office order issued in favour of Mrs Barker for £3 13s 6d. She cashed it, signing "Mary Barker," and, following further instructions of Barker, opened, with the full amount, an account m the Post Office Savings Bank in the name of Mary Barker. After the evidence had been 'heard, counsel pointed out that there had been no felonious intent, and his. Worship, taking time to consider his decision, remanded the accused until July Ist. Larceny.—Harriet Scarlet, a domestic servant, admitted having stolen articles of Wearing apparel, valued at £1, the property of her employer. There was nothing else known about her, and she waa remanded till July Ist, for the report of the Probation Officer; in the meantime she was released on nominal bail. Assaulting a Constable. —Frederick McDavitt was charged with this offence. Constable MeGHI stated that he visited the accused, who was living in a tent at Riccarton, to collect a fine due by the accused, or, in default, execute on him a warrant of committal. The accused refused to pay, or go quietly in custody. The constable then took hold of him, and a struggle ensued in which the assault took place. The accused said he considered he had no right either to pay or to go to gaoL He was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment with hard labour. Alleged Breach of the Stamp Act. — A. Donaldson, lawyer's clerk, was charged with having issued a summons to a witness without haying affixed to it a stamp at the time of issue. Mr Stringer appeared for the Department; Mr Byrne for the defendant, for whom it was shown that the summons had been taken out in Christchurch, though the witness had to appear at' Amberley, and the stamp fee had beeu sent to Amberley, though it was not received there until after the case had been heard. His Worship said there had been a technical offence, and inflicted a fine of Is. Mr Stringer declined to apply for costs. Evasiojt or Paoaiarnqy Oaaca.— ■Denis

Pa-rlck Ma-jMwy admitted i&av being s person cgalntt. whom t. prohibition' erdes >s enrrea., 'he waa found en June 22nd in Hi; Lertbktp'- Hotal, He was fined ! £5. . MAiNTis:»-i:.*CT:.--I>ftrid Le Comto, for trhasi Mr Byrne appeared, applied for the rodeckoh of liis contribution of 5s per week tvKixd& tho support- of his mother. Mr Kippanbergcr opposed the application, whkia was refused on tho graind that ih& apphcan. was,ab!e to pay.—John Nap.'er, in arrears £4 6s 8d on an order concerning his wifo and family, was ordered to pay forthwith, cr. in default, to be imprisoned for one month.—A3berfc Hulxne was ordered to pay 15s per week to shis wifo towards her support. Mr Donnelly appeared for Mrs Huhne, Mr Kippenbsrger for the defendant. —Eliza Ann Kermard, for whom Mr Cresswell appeared, charged her husband, Fred. Kennard, with, deserting his family, leaving them destitute.' Mr Joynt appeared for the defendant, and the desertion not being denied, an order was made for the payment to his wife of 17s 6d per week, with costs.'— Malcolm McKinley was charged with laving failed to obey an order directing him to pay £1 per week, being in arrears £37. Ha pleaded poverty, and was now ordered to pay 15s per woek, consideration of the arrears being deferred for one month.