MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 132, 10 July 1914, Page 10

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr 11. W. Bishop, S.M.) STOLE A COAT. .John Queenen was charged with having stolen an overcoat valued at £2 15/-, the property of William John Brown, on the night of .July 2. John Edward Watson, in charge of the office at the People's Palace, said that on the night in question accused came seeking a bed. He was under the influence of - liquor. Before leaving, for lie was refused a bed, he put on a coat like the one produced. The owner of the coat gave evidence as to his having left his coat in the hall on the night of July 2. Detective Ward, who arrested the man for drunkenness, said that he gave no explanation as to where he got the coat.

# He was fined 20/- with costs and given the alternative of one month's imprisonment.

BARTLEY REMANDED,

James Bartley, charged with assaulting Phillip Metz, was further remanded until Saturday week. Chief-Detective Bishop said that Metz was still in bed and could not yet give evidence. APPLICATION FOR SURETIES. Fanny Rosina Durose applied for sureties of the pe&ce against Harriet M'Ebwn. Mr Dacre appeared for the complainant and stated that defendant had pointed a revolver at his client and threatened to shoot her. Complainant had lived close to defendant for two weks. Defendant had "sneered over the fence and called her all the dirty London slum words she could lay her tongue to," said complainant. Rosina Durose said she knew it was r? revolver that defendant pointed at her. She knew a revolver when she saw it. Defendant, said it was loaded. Witness was sure defendant had been drinking as she smelt strongly of liquor. Samuel John Durose gave evidence as to his having seen defendant holding the revolver at his wife's head.

"Are you sure it was a revolver/' asked Mr Leathern, wlio appeared for complainant.

"Yes, I'm sure," said witness. "Have you ever seen a revolver?" "Yes; I've never had one In my hand, but I know what it's like.'' "Is this a revolver?" asked M!r Leathern, holding up a table fork. "No, it isn't," said witness decidedly-

Constable Geraghty said that he had leceived a telephone message from complainant 's husband. As a result he went down to see Mrs M. 'Eown. When taxed with the offence defendant denied it at first, but later said she had po'inf,«d r.ji uploaded revolver at Mrs Durose. She afterwards surrendered the weapon *o witness but it was not loaded. .She had been drinking. Mr Leathern explained that the revolver had been bought to protect defendant 's shop. Defendant, in the witness box, said that she was frying a chop when complainant came along. It was a fork she had in her hand, not a revolver. The Magistrate said that he would adjourn the case for three mouths without making any order as to sureties. Defendant would have to pay costs. DISCHARGED. Arthur James Simpson, 17 years of age, was charged with stealing a cycle lamp at Addington. The Sub-Inspector commented on the seriousness of the of; fence and the inconvenience to cyclists caused by this kind of theft. He waa discharged without having a conviction entered against him. BY-LAW BREACHES. (Before MV T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.) Charles Stanley Fuller, for cycling; without a light, was fined 10/-' with costs. Wellesley Worsfold, who cycled on the footpath, was fined 7/- with costs. For a similar olfence Vivian Manson was als.o fined 7/-. Frederick Bonham, for whom Mr Donnelly appeared, was charged with driving a nfotor cycle too fast over a crossing. Defendant appeared in butcher's apron and white coat. "I must apologise for my client," said Mr Donnelly, "he's a good butcher, but he shouldn't appear in court like that. " He was fined 10/with costs.

Robert Robertson was charged with having left a horse ancl cart unattended. He stated that his horse had gone home on its own initiative but had taken the wrong road, with the result that he lost horse and cart altogether. Defendant, in answer to a question from the Magistrate, said tye had lost the whole outfit.

A fine of 5/- with costs was inflicted. Christopher Schroder pleaded not guilty to driving a hansom cab at an excessive speed over the intersection of Lichfield Street and High Street. A constable gave evidence that defendant had knocked a telegraph boy off his bicycle. Ellis M 'Grath, the telegraph boy in question, said he was going home from the Post Office when the collision occurred. He thought that the cab was travelling at a rate of about nine miles per hour. Defendant, when asked how fast he was going, said: "A quarter of a mile, your Honour.'' He was convicted and ordered to pay court costs.

A. Vernall, who allowed his horse to wander, was fined £>/- with ! costs. Benjamin Kenwicic was fined 5/- for driving on the wrong side of the road. Francis Charles, alias Atkinson, was charged with having, on May 15, at Christchurch, used a forged school certificate attempting to cause one E. H. Hi ley, General Manager of the New Zealand Railways, to act upon it as if it were genuine. Chief-Detective Bishop prosecuted, and defendant was represented by Mr M. Donnelly.

After hearing evidence defendant was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail in one sum of £25 was allowed. FAMILY AMENITIES. Jane Brown proceeded against Henry .lames Brown for sureties of the peace. Mr Donnelly appeared for complainant, and Mr Cassidy for defendant. Complainant gave evidence that she had proceeded against her husband for divorce, and had been granted a decree nisi with custody of the children. Her husband had come to Iter house and told her that he would blow her brains out and swing in Lyttelton for it. He had hit her with his clenched fist and otherwise assaulted her. lie had brought a woman with him. Witness continued her evidence, saying that she had two boarders, a drover and a widow.

Margaret Newton gave corroborative evidence, adding that Mrs Brown hit her husband first.

After hearing more evidence of a like nature the magistrate dismissed the information, on the understanding that defendant paid the costs and kept away from the house of complainant. DEFENCE CASES. The following were fined for failing to render personal service under the Defence Act: —C. E. Stratford 30/-, 0. O. Handle 20/-, E. A. Pauling 10/-,

Peiyjy Mabon 10/-, William Lloyd 10/-, G. L. Miller £o, Arthur Lillcy 10/-, F. R. King £;?, S. C. Kennedy £5, and deprived of civil rights for three years, P. Greenlees 10/-, B. J. P. Grant 10/-, Alexander Ford £:'>, C. C. Butcher £3, C. J. Coates 5/-, A. Cross £4, and deprived of civil rights for three years, C. W. Cuddon 10/-, B. J. Flood 10/-, 1,. Flavell 40/-, E. Henderson 10/-, H. J. .lacobson 10/-.