CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8093, 15 February 1892, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Friday, February 12.

(Before R. Westenra, E. Dobson, W. H Hargreaves, and J. Hamilton, Ksqr*. <J . 1;. 's.)

Dr.uxKEXXEss. —Michael Shields wa& fiued 40s, or seven days, and Michael Shoehan 203, or ninety-six hours' imprisonment. Jauo Kennedy was remanded for seven days for medical treatment. Dkunkexnkss and Lauckxjt.— Catherine Ryan waa charged with drunkenness and the larceny of a bottle of whiskey, value 5s 6d, from the Caledonian Hotel, the property of A. Redwood, licensee. Accused pleaded "Guilty" to the drunkenness but denied tho larceny. For the first offenco she waa fined ss, or twonty-four hours, and for the second she was sentenced to eevon days' hard labour. *

SShort-weight Bread.—A. Ritchie, Colombo street, was charged with a Lveaeh of the Adulteration Act. 1891, section 3, and subjection 102, by having 80 ld a loaf of bread purporting to be 21bs, which was 2£ ounces doiicieat. Mr Kippenberger appeared for the defendant. Constable Jf. McConnick, Inspector of Weights and Measures, deposed to visiting the bakehouse of the defendant, buying a 21b tin loaf and telling him who ho was. Witness weighed the bread with a standard weight and found it two and a-half ounces short. Mr Kippenberger, who subjected witness to a severe cross-examination, contended that the loaf in question was French bread. which camo within tho exemptions, that there was no proof of the baking within the twenty-four hours, and that there waa no proof that it was sold as a 21b loaf. Evidence was given by the defendant to support the contention advanced by counsel. Another witness was called to prove that the loaf in question was French. Inspector Ponder called rebutting evidence, which went on to show that the loaf in question was a Devonshire or turned-down tin. 1% was made of tho same mat erial as French rolls. The Bench expressed ita opinion that the loaf in question did not como under the denomination of fancy bread, twiat or French rolls, and further, it was sold as a 21b loaf and waa short weight. As this was I the first case, the lowest penalty would be inflicted, namely, of 40s and coats. Mr Kippenbergor gave notice to appeal. Hβ suggested that the other cases should be withdrawn as the infliction of the fine on Ritchie would be a warning to others. Besides there was no deliberate attempt at fraud. Mr Pender could nob accept this course and answered that there was no delibcrato attempt to defraud the Eublic. The Bench considered that it would c unfair to the one fined to discharge the others. In any case, however, where a conviction was entered, the lowest penalty would be inflicted. In the cases ot 0. H. Smith, grocer, and A. H. Blake, baker, who were similarly charged, fines of 40s and costs were inflicted. F. Williams and Albert Beaumont were dismissed, the bread in question being proved to be over twentyfour hours old, and A. J. Hulme'e dismissed on doubt, owing to the strong contradiction of the defendant in the matter of weighing and delivery.

Miscellaneous.—William Righbon, fox preventing another cabman for being hired, lined 5s and coets ; R, Inwood, leavings cart unattended, fined 10a and costs ; Geoi E. Way, riding a bicycle on a footpath, in !St. Albans, fined 5s and costs.

The Probation Act—Emily Rebecca Pearson, convicted of larceny, appeared fot the judgment of the Court. Mr Kuseeil, on behalf of Mr Stringer, appeared for the accused. Mr Westenra asked if there was any report of the Probation Officer. Inspector Pender replied that there was Übt. In answer to the Bench Sergeant Major Mason said that he had no report to mako. Mr Westenra asked how that was, Sergeant Major Mason replied that the Probation Officer was not bound to make a report if he could not make one of a favourable nature. Mr Russell said he understood that the officer had made inquiries and they were b| a satisfactory nature. He drew attention to the clause in the Act, which stated that where the interests of the accased and the public were better likely to be conserved the Probation Officer could make a report. Sergeant-Major Mason said that the Bench had power to grant probation without hie interlerencc. Mr Ruasell asked if the best interests would be considered by accused being sent to gaol. Sergeant-Major Mason said he had no desire to see- the girl eenfc there. Mr Westenra said that what Mr Russell asked, if granted, would be establishing a precedent which they did not wish to do. Tho Bench was inclined to consult with the Resident Magistrate ac ta the view they should take in the matter* The girl would be remanded until Saturday,

SATtTBDAT, FEBEPABY. 13. (Before R. Westenra and E. Dobson, £sq&* J.P.'e.) ' Drunkenness;— Bridget Lambert, who appeared with a damaged face, was fined 6s for drunkenness and ordered to pay the fee of the doctor who sewed up the scar acrosa the forehead above the eyes. Lahceny—The case of Eveline Rebecca Pearaon, which had been remanded from the previous day, was concluded. Accused had been convicted cf larceny. Mr Stringer appeared for her. Mr Weatenra said thafe had the Bench acted in the way asked* by Mr Russell, it would have been creating a precedent. ' They had consulted over the matter and had decided to put the girl on probation for »ix months.

Alleged Embezzlemeht. — William Mardon was charged with the embezzlement of £10 ss, the property of hie master, Richard Smith, in November, 1890. Mt Joynt appeared for the accused. Detective O'Connor applied for a remand, which wan granted to Thursday. Mr Joynfc offwred nc objection. Bail was allowed in accused's own recognisance of £50 and one surety <*J £60.