MAGISTERIAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10146, 20 September 1898, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, September 19. (Refore R. Hill Fisher and W. C. Fendall, Esqs., J.P.'s.) Theft. — Alexander Harvey, seventeen years of age, pleaded guilty to having on September 17th, at Kaiapoi, stolen a purse of the value of 2s, and £1 Os 2d in money, the property of John James Hall. Mr Flesher, who appeared for the accused, urged that he had previously borne a good character, but had apparently yielded to a sudden temptation. The boy's mother had been dead for over five years, and his father was a cripple and therefore not in a good position to look after him. He therefore asked the Bench not to send the boy to prison. The Bench pointed out to the accused the serious nature of the offence, and convicted him. of the charge, ordering him to come up for sentence when called upon.

Drtjkkknness.—A first offender, who did not appear-, was fined -10s and' costs, or, in default, forty-eight hours' imprisonment.. William Harry Jones, who pleaded "not guilty," was fined 10s and costs, or, in default, forty-eight hours' imprisonment. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., g.M. ) Civil' Cases. — Canterbury College v Meehan and Quid, claim £40, as damages caused by the failure of the defendants to comply with conditions in their lease of a reserve in South Canterbury, let to them by the plaintiffs. Mr Fisher appeared for the plaintiffs, Mr Kippenberger for the defendants. It was alleged that fences had been allowed to fall out of repair, self-sown gorse had not been grubbed up, and the land in the concluding years of the lease had not all been laid down in grass. The amount claimed was the amount paid for repairing fences, and the estimated cost of laying down to grass. Evidence to this effect was given. The evidence for the defence had been taken at Timaru, and was to the effect that as to the fences they were left in as good order as they were at the commencement of the term. While admitting that some por-' tion of the land had been left in stubble, the defendants alleged that the estimate of damage was excessive. After this had been read the case was adjourned for argument till September 21st. Judgments went for plaintiffs by default with costs in Sheppard v Mumford, £10 15a; Berry and Co. v Hellier, £5 8s 5d ; Chudley v Noonan, £1 12s; and Ballantyne and Co. v Cobcroft, £2 12s 6d. Saville v Williams, claim £3 lis, as balance due 'for the put chase and repair of a bicycle. Mr Kippenberger appeared tor the plaintiff. The defendant objected to pay. alleging that, under a s;ua_an_ee, the plaintiff undertook to keep the machine in good order for a year, but he had not done so, md it was now useless. Judgment was for the plaintiff for £2 ss, with costs £1 9s. Henry v Clutterbuck, claim £1, or the return of part fittings of a plough taken for repairs. The defence was that the pieces were never delivered at the forcre,. and judgment was for the defendant with costs.

KAIAPOI. MOnday, September 19. (Before H. W. Bishop, Esq., S.M., and C. Hansen, Esq., J.P.) Damaging Property.—W. Kendall, W. I_ovedayy;-*-Vyi vJßowse, and W. Horniblow were charged with damaging a coping-stone at the Borough School. The first' d'_f_nd_.rit admitted the offence. Constables Cartmill and Connell gave evidence of the offence. The value of the stone and repairs would cost £2. / It* was stated thac previous damage had been done. Kendall was fined 10s, ordered to pay the damage, £2, and costs 17s, the other defendants being discharged. * Civil Cases.—H. Eder vL. Thompkins (Mr Papprill), claim £1 for cleaning graves. The agreement not beinsr proved, judgment was for defendant-. J. ~R. Parker (Mr Papprill) v Pohio, claim £5 Os 6d on a judgment summons. Order made for payment of 30s at the end of September, and ths balance at the end of October, or four weeks' imprisonment.