MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9909, 15 December 1892, Page 6

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, Dec. 14. (Before H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M.) Dbunkenness.— Patrick Ryan was fined 5s and Is cab biro, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Using Obscene Language. Jane Roberts, a respectable-looking woman, was charged with using obscene language in Cheater street on Dee. 4. Accused pleaded “Not guilty.” Constable M’Alister and Frank Hyndman gave evidence as to the bad language used. The Bench cautioned the accused and dismissed the case. Maintenance. Francis Pobar was charged with deserting his wife, Margaret Pobar, and failing to provide her with adequate means of support. Mr Weston, sen., appeared for complainant, and Mr Loughnan for defendant. The complainant said aba had been married about seventeen years. She had assisted her husband in hia business until quite recently. The reason why she had not assisted her husband so much of late was that she had eight children to look after. Recently her husband had frequently abused her, and her eldest son, aged sixteen, had struck her on the face on several occasions. She never indulged in excessive drinking. Left her husband’s house on Nov. 30, on account of his ill-treatment. During the time her husband was in the Hospital she took him various kinds of medical comforts. She was willing to go back to her husband if he treated her kindly and desisted from using bad language towards her in the presence, of her children. At this stage the Magistrate suggested that the complainant should sign the pledge and go back to her husband. Mr Loughnan said the defendant was willing to sign the pledge, and would ask his children to do so. After some further discussion the complainant said she would not agree to those terms. The Magistrate said he regretted that the complainant would not accept his suggestion, as it would be the means of making the home happier than it had been lately. He declined to make any order, as desertion bad not been proved.—William Prangnell was charged with failing to provide his wife and children with adequate means of support. Mr Byrne for complainant, Mr Donnelly for defendant. The complainant, Annie Prangnell, said she had five children, and her husband had not provided her with sufficient maintenance. Her husband was frequently away from home, and when he returned on Monday last he was in company with another woman. After some conversation between counsel and the Magistrate the case was adjourned, to enable the parties to come to some amicable arrangement.—Arthur Alexander Hood, for whom Mr Ritchie appeared, was ordered to pay 15a a week towards the support of hia six children.