MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8146, 18 April 1887, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

OHEISTCHUKOH. Saturday, April IG. (Before F. E. Wright and W. H. Sims, Esqs.) Drunkenness.— Daniel Ryan, arrested In Gloucester street, was fined Eliza Wilson, who was in company with the last prisoner, was sent to gaol for fourteen days. George Corrie, who had appeared before the Court on the 13th and 15th of this month, was charged with being drunk in George street. The offence was admitted, and a fine of £1 imposed. Obtaining by False Pretences. James Gillespie, a youth about 19 years of age, pleaded guilty to having on Dec. G obtained a pair of trousers, value 32s 6d, from Henry Benfield Hamlyn, by means of false pretences; and also with obtaining a suit of clothes, value .£5, from William Wilkinson Harrison, about Dec. 11 last, also by means of false pretences. Mr Pender said they were impudent robberies; accused went to the tailors and ordered the clothes, which were supplied by him on the representation that he was Huxtable the jockey, and was living with Mr Mason the trainer. He also wrote a note to Hamlyn, signing it with the name “ Huxtable.” Accused had nothing to say and was sentenced to six months’ hard labour on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative ; he having elected to have the cases dealt with summarily. LYTTELTON. Saturday, April IG, (Before H. Allwright and E. Ticehurst, Esqs.) Assault. —J. G. Wood v. W. North. Mr Nalder. for complainant; Mr Salter, for defendant. This case was adjourned from the previous day, to allow the complainant to get his witnesses together. The following evidence was taken: —J. G. Wood, the complainant, said he was on the wharf on Wednesday last at about 1 p.m., in company with a man named Kelly, when North came up to him and without any provocation whatever commenced to assault him. Did not speak to the man at all, and had not spoken to him for months previous. Defendant struck witness several times about the face and head. Witness repeatedly told him to leave him alone as he did not want to have anything to do with him, when complainant made a remark about “ doing for ” witness at some future time. Examined by Mr Salter. Have never given Northany provocation. Waaamemberof the Lumpers’ Union some time ago. Remembered there being a leck-out. Recollected North coming from Christchurch to work on the steamers. Was annoyed at North coming to take the bread out of witness' mouth, hut did not

show any ill-feeling towards him. Have called North a “ black-leg,” but not to his face; never made a remark about wishing a package would fall on him, while working in the hold of a steamer, nor ever insulted him in any way. Did not remember being with a man named Barnes, and sticking complainant up as he was going to the station one night. The term “black-leg” is frequently used by the late Union men to the non-union men. W. Kelly and A. Briggs gave evidence somewhat similar to that of Wood. Mr Salter called W. North, a lumper, working on the wharf: Was on the wharf as the steamer Waihora was coming alongside on Wednesday last. Went to assist in mooring the vessel, and Wood said, “ Let go that line you ‘ blackleg/ ” Took no notice of his remark at the time,butfelt sore over it, and on goiugalong the wharf some time afterwards, saw Wood talking to Kelly, and went over and struck him. Witness came to Lyttelton a year ago, since when Wood had been continually annoying witness because witness had come to Lyttelton to work when the Union men were on strike. On one occasion was stuck up by Wood and another man named Barnes, who, finding themselves getting the worst of it, commenced to throw stones at witness. Could put up with Wood’s annoyance no longer, and struck him. A. Stephens, another lumper, gave evidence as to the ill-feeling existing between Wood and North. The Bench thought an assault had been committed, but not of such a serious nature as had been made to appear. They would fine North 20s and costs.