MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1534, 17 January 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Feld ay, January 17. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and J. T. Brown, Esq., J.P.] Drunk and Disorderly. —Wm. Hutton was remanded to Lyttelton for eight days for medical treatment j Michael Golding was fined 10s. Vagrancy. —James Tristram, a determined looking boy fifteen years of age, was brought up under the Vagrant Act as being an uncontrollable boy. His mother gave a lamentable account of his general behaviour, which was corroborated by a witness living in the same house. The Bench ordered him to be sent to the Industrial School for twelve months. Causing an Obstruction.— John Brown, a cabman, was charged with causing an obstruction in Park terrace on December 16th. There was another charge of having made use of obscene language. Both offences were proved on the evidence of the constable who laid the information and a witness named Wright. A fine of 10s was inflicted for the first offence, and 20s for the second. Hamilton Bright, Foley, for causing an obstruction, were also fined 10s each. Driving without a License. —Geo. D. Hctherington, a cabman, was fined 10s for driving without a license. Eobert Knigan was similarly fined for causing an obstruction by driving across the footpath. Wandeeing Cattle. —John Hanker, WWilliams, Ellen Dunn, Robert Bingham,, Findlay Ross, J. Judge, and Jacob Barnettwere each fined 5s for allowing horses and cattle to wander at large. Bathing in Public.—Six respectablelooking well dressed children wore charged with bathing in the River Avon within sight of a public place. His Worship said it was very natural that the children should wish to bathe in the river, but at the same time it was not permitted ; he had no intention of inflicting any fine, but the young defendant*, must bo made aware that they were actingagainst the law, and must not bathe in the river for the future. They would now be, discharged. Breach op Stamp Act. —Benjamin Button • admitted signing an unstamped receipt for.the--sum of £2 on the 7th of March, 1877, and. was fined 20s. Breach ok Public-house Ordinance.— Joseph Oram Sheppard admitted having kept his licensed house open during prohibited hours on the 29th December, and alsohaving permitted gambling on the premises, Mr Heck spoke in mitigation of th© penalty, and stated that the breach of the law was entirely duo to the negligence of Mr Sheppard’s barman, for which the former was not accountable, not being on the premises at the time. The gambling consisted merely of throwing dice for drinks, and did not even amount to “Yankee grab.” His Worship said he knew nothing of the mysteries of th* latter pastime, but the defendant would have to pay a fine of 40 shillings.

Fbaudulent Bankruptcy.— James Bassingthwaile was charged under the Bankruptcy Act with concealing property over the value of £lO. Mr T. I. Joynt, instructed by Mi 'ssrs Wynn Williams andDoaeon, appeared to prosecute, and Mr Greason appeared for the accused. Mr Gresscm applied for an adjournment of the case, and that the accused might be admitted to bail. Mr Joynt had no objection to either application being complied with, but asked that the bail might ho of a very substantial description. Mr Grosson submitted that the bail should not be of a prohibitory character, as after all the charge only amounted to a misdemeanor. Mr Joynt said although it was a misdemeanor there wex-o dvo distinct charges, and therefore tho bail, though not necessarily prohibitive, should be of a very substantial description. Mr Gresson said there was no likelihood of an eva-iou on ths part of the accused, as h© was too wall known in Canterbury. Mr Joynt submitted that a very largo sura was missing from the estate, and, as upwards of £SiX) has been found iu the possession of tha accused, or presumably under his control, it was nut unreasonable to suppose that he might be able to lay his hand on the balance of the missing property. The hearing of the case was ultimately adjourned until Wednesday, the 23rd, bail being fixed at two sureties of £SOO each and the accused in the sum ot £IOOO,