THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17628, 4 December 1922, Page 6

THE COURTS.

| MAGISTERIAL. SATURDAY. (Before Mr H. Y. AYiddowson, S.M.) DEI'NKEXNESS. A first offender, aged 63 years, -was convicted End discharged. Another first offender was fineu 10s, in default 2 hours' imprisonment. Another was fined £l, the amount of Lis bail, in default 4$ hours' imprisonment John Mullins was fined 10s, in default 34 hours' imprisonment, on a charge of drunkenness, and 20s, in default 7 days' imprisonment, for a breach of his prohibition order. IDLE AND DISORDERLY. Christina. Hills, who was convicted End discharged n a charge of drunkenness, ploaded not guilty to a charge of being an idle and disorderly person. The Magistrate imposed a sentence of 12 months' imprisonment. A CIIAEG'E REDUCED. Benjamin Evridgo and James Smith, who appeared on remand on -a charge of arson, wtie represented by Mr C. S. 'x'homas. The police withdrew the charge of arson, and substituted one of wilfui damage. Ernest Waller, timber merchant, gave evidence that his timber yard bore evidence on the morning of October 29th, of the effects of a Email fire. The damage was smaii, amounting to about £'l ss. William Evans, licensee of the Wellington Hotel, gave evidence that a mattress hu»l been thrown out of one of the bedrooms ot the hotel. One of the accused was found under a. bed. He was sober. Sergeant Packer also gave evidence. Accused had stated that a mattress had caught" firo and they had thrown it out of t;;o window. Air Thomr.s submitted that no offence had been disclosed. A serious state of affairs might have occurred but did not. Both men were under the influence of liquor. They had been smoking and had gone off to sleep. The mattrefs had caught fire and they had thrown it out_ the window. There was no intent to do mischief. The Magistrate stated that the facts were quite clear. He thought that no offence had been committed. Tliere must be something more thaj mere reckle-ssnes to ccuse a crime. It was n very serious matter, and the men wero liobV to Waller and Co. in a civil action. Tlw ch.i.rse against the accused would bo disemissed. REMANDED. Mary McDermott, who was charged with the theft of 18s 3d, was remanded till Wednesday. Robert Bell, charged with false pretences, was remanded till Wednesday. JUVENILE CASE. A child was committed to the Christchurch Boceiving Home to be brought up in tho rloman Catholic faith. Another child was committed to tho same home to be brought up in the Anglican faith.