MAGISTRATES COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 363, 11 August 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES COURTS.

CHKISTCHURCH. Wednesday, August 11. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly.—Thomas Parker and Alfred Brown, were each fined 5s for drunkenness. Creating a Disturbance. Patrick Gallagher was charged with creating a disturbance in a public place, and assaulting his wife. Constable Paget deposed to hearing screams in Lichfield street at half-past twelve o'clock that morning. He went to the spot, and saw accused beating his wife with a thick stick. Sentenced to seven dayß* imprisonment, with hard labour.

VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE. | The annual general meeting of the members of the fire police took place at the Fire Brigade Hall, Lichfield street, last evening. There was a good attendance of members, and his Worship the Mayor occupied the His Worship said that he had been requested to take the chair on this occasion by Captain Mitchell, and had much pleasure in doing so. , The minutes of the last meeting and reports of the fires occurring during the year, with the remarks of the officers thereon, were read by Captain Mitchell. Captain Mitchell said there were six vacancies to be filled up caused by deaths and resignation. One of the former, that of Mr A. A. Dobbs, they had especial cause to deplore, as he had been a member of the force from the first. There was also the resignations of Messrs Fletcher, Suffield, J. M. Wood, R. H. Wood, and J. Anderson. The reports and minutes as read were adopted. . Captain Mitchell said that it was usual on these occasions to have before them a document from the town clerk respecting the conduct of the brigade ; this, however, was an omission of memory and not of intention, and no doubt his Worship the Mayor would speak as to the opinion of the fire brigade committee of their services. He (Captain Mitchell), on completing his term of office, desired to thank the force for the courtesy and alacrity with which he had always been obeyed. . His Worship said that on behalf of the city he begged to thank the force for their services during the past year. They were banded together for one of the highest objects that men could be, viz, the saving of life and property. This was the work alike of gentlemen and christians, and he thanked them for their services. Mr Superintendent Harris desired to express the high opinion he felt of the services of the Fire Police. This was never more strikingly exemplified than at the late fire at Mr Fisher's store, where, though only a match-lined partition separated Mr Proctor s valuable stock from the fire, nothing was removed. The same might be said of Mr Hulbert's fire, where the greater part of the stock remained untouched. Some years back this could not be done, as goods were hurled out pell mell without any regard to order. This evinced that the discipline and good order shewn by the Fire Police was of great service. Captain. Mitchell then intimated that his Worship the Mayor would now swear in those gentlemen who might desire to do so, which would save their attendance at the City Council offices during the day. The following gentlemen were then sworn in .—Captain Mitchell, officer H. E. Alport, Messrs G. Beattie, R. C. Bishop, J. P. Cooper, W. Dunford, W. 3. Fisher, C. P. Hulbert, E. Hiorns, J. Hart, W. b. King, C. Lezard, S. Manning, T. Pyett, R. Sutherland, M. Sandstein, F. J. Smith, G. Tombs, E. H. Banks, R. S. Struthers, D. McGuinness. Captain Mitchell said he would see the other members on the roll who had not been sworn in, and they could attend before the Mayor on Monday next, at 7 p.m. An advertisement would be inserted calling them together at'an early date to elect officers and adopt rules. Mr Lezard said he wished to bring under the notice of the meeting the necessity of lanterns being used. At the fire at the Warwick, for instance, the goods were in the dark, and the fire police were unable to see the goods which had been removed. Captain Mitchell thought this was a valuable suggestion. Perhaps Mr Lezard would bring the matter before the next general meeting of the force, when he had no doubt it would be considered. [Hear, hear."l A cordial vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the business.