MAGISTRATES' COURTS

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 2982, 12 March 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS

CHRISTCHURCH.

Thuksday, Makch 11. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and W. H. Pilliett, Esq, J. P.] DRUNK AND RESISTING THE POLICE. Charles Deal, charged with this offence, was fined 20s. LUNACY FROM DRINK. Archibald McDonald, who had been remanded for medical treatment, was again brought up. Mr Reston, chief gaolor, said the man had now recovered from the effects of drink, but was rather eccentric. His (accused's) wife had been down at the gaol, and had promised to look after him. Discharged. BREACH OF CITY BYE-LAWS. For permitting horses and cattle to wander, the following persons were dealt with : — Josiah Hodges, fined 5s ; Daniel Burns (two ' informations), 10s ; J. Garland, 5s ; Fredk. Peiper, ss; Robert McPherson, ss; Benjamin Buhner, ss; Alfred Culliford, ss; James Hogg, 5s ; Andrew McTaggart (two informations), 10s ; E. W. Millett (a goat), ss; Thomas Anson (four horses), 10s; Robert Sunderland, ss, and George Chisnall, ss. For being absent from his horse and vehicle, James Willis was fined lOs. BREACH OF POLICE ORDINANCE. James Reed, a cabman, was charged with obstructing the public thoroughfare, byallowing his cab to remain in. Gloucester street. Defendant did not appear. • Constable Hughes stated that on that day defendant allowed his cab to remain in Glou cester street for fifty minutes. He (witness) had warned defendant to move on, but he would not. Fined 10s. NEGLECTING TO KEEP A LIGHT BURNING. Fer neglecting to keep a lamp burning over his licensed house, the.Golden Age Hotel, Henry Allen was fined 10s. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. Honoria Fitzgerald was charged with selling beer in her house, Kilmore street. Mr Slater appeared for defendant. Sergeant Kennedy stated that on the 14th February a man who said his name was William Watson, told him he had lost some money in defendant's house, and had paid for beer in her house. He (the sergeant) searched the house, but could not find the money. He had since learnt that the man's name was Robert Weatherall. Weatherall called, stated that he did not remember paying for drink in defendant's house. He was drunk at the time, and had since found the money he thought he had lost in defendant's house. Case dismissed. BREACH OF RAILWAY BYE-LAWS. George Davis was summoned for contravening the above laws by crossing the railway line in sight of a train. Evidence was given that defendant had crossed the line between Dunsandel and Middleton when the train was approaching, The driver had to blow the whistle, but defendant took no notice, and he (the driver) had then to signal to the guard, who was compelled to put on both brakes to prevent an accident. If the train had not been nearly brought to a standstill, the result might have been very serious. Defendant said he had not heard the signal nor did he think the train was approaching, or else he would never have been guilty of such a foolish act as to attempt to cross the line. When he saw the train he tried to pull the horseback, but it was a young one, and he was not able to manage it. His Worship did not think the act had been committed wantonly, but if defendant could not have managed the horse, he should not have driven it. He trusted this would be a caution to him to be more careful for the future. Fined 10s. USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Thomas Leslie was charged on summons with using obscene language in Gloucester street on the Bth February. Constable Hughes proved the offence, and defendant was find 10a. , OBSTRUCTING THE THOROUGHFARE. Andrew McTaggart was summoned for obstructing the thoroughfare on the 23rd inst, with his horse and cab. The defendant admitted the offence, but said that there were several cases of the same nature pending, and he "would ask his Worship not to enforce his decision. He had protection from the City Council. Inspector Buckley told the Bench that he had been instructed that morning by the Town Clerk to proceed with the information. His Worship said he would iufliot a fine of 10s, and defendent could then take the usual course. Defendant said he "would appeal' FAILING TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER OF THE COURT. Charles Littlecpt was summoned for failing to comply with an order of the Court to contribute towards the support of his son in the I*4uatßaJ f School.

Mr Colee, master of the Industrial School, stated that since he last summoned defendant he had only paid one month towards the support of his son? There were three mouths now due, and as defendant had failed to keep his word on more than one occasion, he found it necessary to bring him before the Lourt to enforce payment. Defendant's wife appeared in court, and stated that her husband was not permanently employed, though he was in good health, and was willing to pay 6s per week. His Worship said defendant would have to pay more than that. He could no doubt obtain permanent employment if he desired, and would have to pay 12a per week, until the arrears were paid up. trsixi} abusive language. Charles Crombie was summoned for using abusive language to David Whyte. These parties were neighbours, and a misunderstanding had arisen about plaintiff's boys, having, it was said, drowned defendant's dog. From the evidence it turned out that both parties had used equally bad language, and the case was dismissed. USING ABUSIVE AXD THREATENING LAN-

GCAGB. "William Dunnage was charged on summons with using abusive language to George Kimmer on the 6th March. Complainant was too ill to appear, but his wife related to the Court the annoyances she and her husband had received from defendant and his family for a long time. A daughter of complainant repeated the language made use of by defendant to her father on the morning of the 6th. Defendant said he had a witness in court, but he thought the case was too paltry to call him. His Worship told defendant that he seemed to have tried to annoy the complainant and his family in a systematic manner. From the evidence of the little girl, there had been sufficiently annoying language used by defendant on the 6th instant to provoke a breach of the peace if the complainant had not been in a delicate state of health, and he (his Worship) was surprised that even the state of the complainant did not excite defendant's commiseration. He would have to lind two sureties to keep the peace for six months in £25 each, and himself in £50, or be imprisoned for one month, and he (his Worship) would also advise him for the future to prevent his children from annoying the complainant and his family. CIVIL. CASES. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) W. Buckeridge v G. White ; claim £2 2s. Judgment by default for amount claimed, with costs 20a. J. Hampton vK. W. Trent; claim £5 12s. Judgment for defendant, with costs 345. Thos Lee vH. Clark ; claim £6 15s 4d. Judgment by default for amount claimed, with costs 13s. Christchurch City Council v S. S. Noall; claim £2 Is 2d. Judgment by default for amount claimed, with costs 9s. H. Henry v Wm Kirk wood ; claim £1 7e 6d. Judgment for £110s, and costs 9s.