MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2602, 7 May 1869, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, May 6. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., H.'-T.)

Drunkenness. Joseph Morgan was charged with having been drunk and disorderly yesterday, it appeared that he was subpoenaed as a witness in the case of embezzlement against Archibald Macfarlane, on the previous day, when he entered the Court before business commenced in a state of intoxication, and on being removed to the yard, became very noisy. His Worship administered a very severe reprimand, and said that had it not been prisoners first appearance for drunkenness, he would have been severely dealt with, but as it was, he would be lined 10s. Thos. Thirwall, for having been drunk and incapable the previous evening, was fined the same amount. Breaches of the Public House 0 dinance—J. W. Morton was charged with having left the door of his licensed house open for the sale of liquors during proscribed hours on Sunday last, the 2nd instant. Mr W. Williams appeared for the defence, and admitted that the door was open, but not for the sale of liquors. It had accidentally been left ajar by a lodger, who had just gone out. Constable Pratt was called, and said that he saw the door open about eleven p.m, and several people, not lodgers, came out, whilst inside there was liquor on the table. No evidence was offered in defence, and accused was accordingly fined £5. William Moir was also summoned for a similar offence on the same day. He was defended by Mr Williams, and Sergeant Jeffrey stated that between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, he went, in company with Constable O’Connor, to accused’s house, where lie found both the outer and bar doors open, whilst there were six persons in the parlour, with some drinks on the table. Two of them h j knew were not lodgers, and the barman was in the bar at the time. The particulars of the charge were admitted, and no tangible defence being offered, or witnesses called, a fine of £5 was inflicted. John Fox, for whom Mr Williams also appeared, was fined the same amount for having his licensed house open, and persons not lodgers drinking therein, on the night of Sunday last.

Breaches of the Police Ordinance George b'teele, for riding on a two-horse dray without having reins attached to the leader, was fined 10s; and George Brandon, for leaving a dray standing in a public thoroughfare over night, was deemed to pay the same amount.

Runaway Horse.— Thomas Blyth was charged with having been at such a distance from bis horse and cart as not to have proper control over them. Constable Wilson said : About seven o’clock on the morning of the 18th inst., he sawn horse galloping down Gloucester street from the East (own belt, with a spring cart attached, and turn into Manchester street, from whence it passed through several others before being stopped. Accused, in defence, said he was proceeding along the Bast belt, with one hand on the reins of the horse, by the side of which he was walking, when it suddenly jumped on one side, jerked the reins from him, and galloped away before he could regain his hold. He had no witnesses to substantiate the truth of this statement, and his Worship remarking that it wae for the defence to prove that no neglect had been exercised, which he had not done, fined him 10s.

Illegal Rescue of Pigs. —Albert Truskett and l.ewis f'outts were summoned by Robert Aiken for having illegally rescued forty-five pigs whilst being driven to the pound. The pigs had, it appeared, trespassed on complainant's land, and were sent, u ider charge of his son, a boy about nine year* of age, to the pound. After proceeding about three miles, the accuseds came up and forcibly took them away, throwing some silver into the cart as. payment fur the damages. In defence, it was 1 contended that the boy had agreed to let the pigs go for the money, but this was denied; and liis Worship holding that accuseds had im right to make any bargain whatever with the boy whilst the father was only a short distance behind, imposed a fine of lOs each, with Court costs, and 20s to be paid to complainant for driving, &c.

LYTTELTON. (Before W Donald, Esq., R.M.)

Refusal of Duty and Using Abusive Language. —Charles Johnston, seaman on board the barque Tell, was charged with this offence. Mr Nalder appeared for complainant. Walter ("lurk Moir, chief officer, stated that he told the prisoner on Wednesday to get up the chain, and lie refused to do so, but walked away and went down below. His conduct during the voyage was very had. He was always cursing and swearing when he was ordered to do any work. On the 4th he used threatening language when ordered to brace up the yards. He said he would not; and added he would knock witness’ brains out. By accused: You only worked when

you liked. You weje half an hour after the other men had turned out before you came on deck. You were always swearing. You refuid to pump the ship and went below. (Wtain Charles Hook, sworn, said the accuMtf 1* a seaman. The mate has complained fluently to me about accused swearing at hlfr I olten heard him swearing and abusing W> mate. At one time I called all hands to jgiorten sail. It was hulf-an-hour after befoty the accused came on deck. Accused had (complained about the cook. They had th< same meat on board and the same cooking, By accused ; You complained about theoipking to me,and I spoke to the cook. John Mfars, seaman, said tbe accused was in his wffth. He never would turn out with the ofcers. lie heard the accused swearing at tty mate, and also heard him threaten to hit Jim. Accused denied the charge, and askdl that lie might be allowed to bring wijnesses. He was remanded until to-morrl* for the production of the second mate amjtwo seamen. Unregistered Do*.—A, Weastall was charged with having in unregistered dog in his possession. Fined 20s, and 4s costs.

civilicask. Moreland v. Chatxaw. —Claim, £35 BJ.8 J . Mr balder for plaintf. £1 was tendered into Court. Ibis wasu claim for one-foiirtli share of the earnings <}l the ketch Jupiter, on her trip to Hokitikaj Makapava, and back. After hearing the evidence, the Beach reserved its judgment, I defendant to deposit £l2 into Court, decision.