RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1729, 22 September 1868, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

Chbistchttbch—September 21. [Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., E.M.] DBtTNKENNESS. Thomas Barton was convicted of drunkenness, but it being his first offence, and as he had been locked up since Saturday night, he was reprimanded and discharged. TT3ING THBEATENING LANGUAGE. The same man was then chargod with using threatening Janguage towards his wife,. The complainant stated that she had been married to the prisoner for nearly three years : but about twelve months ago he deserted her, and had not since contributed a sixpence'towards her support. She had been living during that time with her son, /who kept a lodging'house. On Saturday last, the defendant came to her, and wanted her to come and live with him again. She refused to do so, whereupon he used violent and threatening language towards her. ; Defendant denied the charge, and said he had simply endeavoured to persuade his wife to return home again. His Worship said the question of separation was out of his jurisdiction, but cautioned the defendant that if he had deserted his wife, he must not interfere with her. The defendant said there were many circumstances which rendered a separation between him and his wife advisable. Hia Worship recommended the parties to get a deed of separation drawn up, and they left the Court saying that they would do so. AFFILIATION. William- Cummins, of Kaiapoi, was brought up on a warrant charged with refusing to support the illegitimate child of Esther Jackion, he being its father. The complainant stated that the defendant had acknowledged his liability, and had contributed to her support and that of the child during the last four or five months, at the rate of 25s a week. Defendant denied having acknowledged that he was the child's father; and said that he could, if the Court would adjourn the caee, bring evidence to prove that the complainant was a very lOoee character, and consorted with bdd women; Hβ had supported he* during the last nine months at the rate of 30s or £2 a week, and had given her altogether about £50. ......... . _ ■ _ ■

•On being asked by. the Court why lie had disobeyed the eumtnons calling upon Mm to attend, on the defendant stated, tlnit the : complainant had informed him she did not intend to appear, to prosecute the charge^ Complairiant denied this, but Detective Feoat confirmed defendant's statement,, that complainant was at Kaiapoi during the whole of Saturday. . . \ .. : '.■'., The caae was adjourned until Thursday. KAtAJOl—September 19.... I [Before <J. L. itfeilfsh, Eeq., R.M.] jMichael Clishajn,- an • old offender, on the information of Mounted Constable Judge, was ch&rged with stealing a. keg ofpbutter, value £2 iOa. It appears Mjr.jG. Kilgour, who lives, near,rthe Church bu*'>> left *v keg of butter about a chain from the North road on the 7th. mat., to be taken on by a friend's dray to Kaiapoi. Reluming for. the butter aoroe time after, when about half a mile away, he saw the prisoner examining it, and after look-_ ing about he eventually removed it and hid it in j a hole,- it'With-scrub*-&c; : - -Tbe Bench sentenced prisoner" to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. • J - •