MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5919, 14 February 1880, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

OHEISTCHDECH. Friday, Feb. 13. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq,, E M.) Drunkenness. George Cr!iw was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly. Vagrancy. Callaghan McCarthy was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. He had been previously brought before the Court and remanded in order that it might be ascertained whether or not he could be accommodated at the Ashburton Home. Mr March was now present, and informed the Court that the unfortunate man had been previously in the Home, and had been so disorderly that he could not be readmitted. Prisoner said he'had been in receipt of a pension of 7id per diem. His Worship beueved that prisoner was an old hand at malingering. Prisoner said that he had been badly treated at the Home and depdt in Armagh street. His Worship said he believed the man to be a thorough humbug, but discharged him with a severe caution.

Valueless Cheques. Edward Emil Dransfield was brought up on remand from the Feb. 12, charged with obtaining money and goods by means of valueless cheques. There were four charges respectively as follows : —Obtaining goods and money to the value of £6 16s 9d from Charles D. Innes; obtaining £1 from Alfred Tom Tarton ; obtaining £5 from William Pearce ; obtaining a pair of boots, value 18s 6d, and £llßs in money from Henry Corrick, He pleaded ' guilty to each charge, and begged to be dealt Vdth summarily. His Worship sentenced him to twelve months’ imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. Sunday Trading.—His Worship said he would not give judgment in the case of Sunday trading till Monday next. LYTTELTON. Friday, Fbb. 13. (Before J. Beswiek, Esq., E.M.) Lunacy prom Drink.—John Gors, on remand from Feb. 10, was brought before the Court. The gaoler reported the man as having recovered. Henry Quinn, on remand from Christchurch on the same charge, was also brought up and reported as having recovered. The magistrate discharged both men. [ Bepusai. op Duty.—Henry Bogers, a seaman onboard the schooner Croydon Lass, was charged by Captain Curran with this offence. Accused said the vessel’s cargo had been discharged, and he considered he was free to leave the vessel at any time; he had not signed any articles or agreement to stay aboard the vessel for any length of time, and could leave whenever he wanted to. He refused to work because he could not get any tobacco. Captain Curran said he had shipped-the man by the month. Accused said he had shipped at £6 per month, but there was no agreement as to whether he should stay a day or a month. The Bench gave accused the option of going on board or of being sent to gaol; he chose the latter alternative, and was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour. Obtaining Goons by False Pretences. —Agnes Carlyle, a young girl of 14 years old, was charged on remand with obtaining goods from Messrs Blake and Co., grocers, by false pretences. From the evidence it transpired that accused went to Messrs Blake and Co.’s shop on Tuesday, and stated she was sent by Mrs M'Ginlay for a tin of jam, and produced what purported to be an order from Mrs M‘Ginlay ; the jam was given to accused. Mrs M'Ginlay said she had been dealing at Blake and Co.’s shop, but had never authorised accused to get the jam. Accused had gone errands for her sometimes. The police said the girl had not been before the Court previously. The Bench said they were unwilling to enter a conviction against so young a girl, and would give her a chance of reforming. They would discharge her this time, but if she came before the Court again, she would be severely dealt with. Failing to Provide pob iy:a Wife.— John Durham appeared before the Court in answer to a summons. His wife said he had taken the pledge, and the Magistrate- dismissed the case, telling defendant that, if he camp up again on the same charge he would receive the heaviest punishment the law allowed. „ Breach op the Public-house. O-am-Aloiei, was uuorgcu, — r _ o . -n , house open after hours on the night of Jan. 24, and supplying liquor to other than lodgers or travellers. He was also, charged with allowing the barmaid to remain at work in the bar after 11 p.m. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for the defendant. Sergeant-Major O’Grady said on the night in question ha saw the private bar lighted at 11.35, and heard people talking inside. The front door of the house was closed, and after knocking for some time, he gained admittance. As he went in, several persons came out. On reaching the bar, he saw some people inside, drinks on the countermand the barmaid in the act of supplying'some drinks. The witnesses for the defence stated that no drinks were served after 11 o’clock; the drinks on the counter were served before 11. The barman said the house was closed at 11, and he told those in the private bar that it was 11 o’clock and time to go. Told them that three times, but they would not go. Mr Keane was not in the bar. He was about the house. The charge of allowing the barmaid to remain in the bar after 11 was withdrawn. The Bench did not consider the cam of keeping the house open and supplying liquor proved, and dismissed it. Threatening Language. Joseph Northey was charged with using threatening language to F. Helps, the bailiff of the Court. The charge not being pressed, the Magistrate cautioned the defendant, and dismissed the case, with costs. Civil Cases.—Garforth and Lee v. Watt. — On this case His Worship gave his decision, which was that tho plaintiff must be nonsuited. Mr Nalder gave notice of appeal.— Harvey Hawkins, and Co. v. G. Good, claim £6 5s 3d, Judgment for amount claimed, with costs, to be paid at the rate of 80s per month.

BANGIOEA. Feiday, Feb. 13. (Before A. H. Cunningham and H. Blackett, Esqs.) Obscene Language.—J. Shields, charged with the above, was fined 10s and costs. Assaulting a Constable. —The same offender was also fined £2, and 14s costs, for assaulting Constable Maher whilst in the execution of his duty. SOUTHBEIDGE. Feiday, Feb. 13. (Before E. J. Lee, and H. P. Hill, Esqs.) Housebreaking.— Nicholas Columbus, on remand from Christchurch, was charged with breaking into the house of John Franco, at Taumutu, on Feb, 5, with intent to commit a felony. Mr Stringer appeared for the accused, and after a number of witnesses had been examined for the prosecution, addressed the Bench on behalf of the prisoner, contending that there was not the slightest evidence to show any felonious intent on the part of the prisoner, who was drunk" at the time he broke the door in, and had repaired the damage he had done the next morning. After consultation the Bench decided to dismiss the case, at the same time stating that the prosecutor could enter a civil action for any damage he had sustained. ASHBUKTON. Friday, Feb. 13. (Before F. Guinness, Esq., E.M.) Alleged Larceny op Hohses. —James Gardiner was brought up, charged with having stolen three horses, the property of a person, named Higgins. Sergeant Pratt stated that the case was one of private proaecmion, Mr O’Beilly applied for the discharge of the accused on the ground of there being no prosecutor. Sergeant Pratt said the police were willing to prosecute, and applied for a remand. The accused was admitted to bail in two sureties of £IOO each, and himself in £IOO. The case was one which arose out of a recent civil case heard at this Court of Higgins v. Gardiner. The judgment of the Court was that the defendant was to # give up possession of the horses to the_plamtiff. The bailiff, acting upon an order of the Court, took possession of the horses and handed them

to Higgins. Subsequently, it is alleged, Gardiner was seen driving the animals away from where they were grazing. Higgins then gave the accused into custody. Damage to Proves ty.—Hartnell v. 0. Barnard. This was a case for alleged damages done to a shop at Ohertsey. Alter hearing evidence on both sides, the case was dismissed, the police being instructed to lay a fresh information. Trespassing ok _ Eailway Line.—®. Lake was charged with driving horses across the line. Case dismissed. Civil Oases. —W. Doherty v. J. Andrews, claim £7 14s 4d j judgment by default, and costs £l9 j.—W. Hartnell v. W. Ledgerwood; judgment for full amount and costs ; immediate execution granted.—W. Hartnell v* E. Johnston, claim £23- 6s lid ; judgment for amount and costs-;, immediate execution granted.—P Laurie v. W. Byrne, claim £ll. This was a case for timber supplied to defendant whilst doing work for the School Committee, The plaintiff was non-suited with costs, the Sohool Committee being responsible for tho- liability.—Wauchop and Cameron v. A. Mason j. plaintiff non-suited with costs.—W. Doherty v. A. Wi ; hel; Mr Ireland for plaintiff;; judgment for amount and costs.