MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10275, 17 February 1894, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, Feb. 16, (Before Mr H. W. Bishop, R.M.) Drunkenness, &c.— A first offender was fined Sa and costs.—Daniel Griffiths was charged with having been drunk and using obscene language in a public place in St Albans. Accused did not appear, and a warrant was ordered to be issued for his arrest. Neglect of a Child. —Catherine Brown was charged with having unlawfully and wilfully neglected and left her child, under the age of fourteen years, in an exposed condition, and in a manner likely to cause the child in jury to its health. The accused said that she had only gone out to get some food for the child. Sergeant-Major Mason stated that the accused had left her house at eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning, and was not seen again till she was arrested in Victoria Street on Thursday. Last week her two little boys had been committed to Burnham, and she said to the Magistrate then that, as he had taken away her boys, he might as well take the baby. Detective Neill deposed that on Wednesday evening, about seven o’clock, he and Sergeant Briggs went down to the accused’s house in St Asaph Street east. They found the front door padlocked, and drew the staple and went inside. The child was lying on some dirty old pillows, and the only covering it had was a very small petticoat. Its legs and arms and the lower portion of its body were quite cold, and under its eyes were black rings. Prom its appearance he should say that it had cried until it had exhausted itself. They fed it, aud by the way it ate it seemed to be almost starving. If the child had been left there much longer he thought it would have died. Sergeant Briggs gave corroborative evidence. Christina Currie, who lived next door to accused, stated that she saw the accused leave the house at about eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning, and she did not seem sober then. A Mrs Smith left the house at about two o'clock in the afternoon, and shortly after that the child started to cry, and continued for a long time. When witness’s husband came home she spoke to him about it, and he informed the police. Sarah Smith deposed - that she was in accused’s house on Wednesday morning. Accused left at about eleven o’clock, saying the would -be back in a few minutes. Witness left at about two o’clock in the afternoon to look for accused, as the child was hungry then, not having been fed since the morhing. Detective Benjamin gave evidence as to arresting the accused, who said she had gone out to try and earn some money. The accused asked to be let off, and she would not offend again. His Worship said that her action was most inhuman, and he would inflict the maximum penalty allowed by the Act. She would be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Alleged Assault. —G. Eastwick was charged with having assaulted Edwin Smith. Mr Fleeher appeared for the complainant and Mr Widdowson for the defendant. Mr Widdowson applied for an adjournment, as he had not had sufficient time to go into the case. Mr Flosher opposed the adjournment. Hia Worship adjourned the chse till next Wednesday. - Maintenance.— Ellen Burns was charged with failing to contribute towards the support of her child. She did not appear, and a warrant. was ordered to be issued for her arrest.—John Moorhouse Hartley was charged with'disobeying an order of the court compelling him to support his wife and children, the arrears amounting to £8 10s. The defendant having agreed to paj *£4 within the next week, his Worship stayed proceedings until it was seen whether he would make the payment as promised.—Mrs Jennett applied to the court for some assistance towards the support of her children. She stated that she had been in the receipt of 8s per week from the Charitable Aid Board, but recently they had stopped this giving a reason. She went to the Charitable Aid office yestarday, and as there was some alight disturbance, a policeman had been sent for to make her leave the premises. His Worship said that the only relief he could afford her was by sending some of her children to Burnham, and a very poor relief that was. The case would be allowed,to stand over till the next day, in order that enquiries might be made. Prohibition Order.—On the application of his son, William Page, a prohibition order was granted against John Page, to take effect in Christchurch and suburban districts for twelve months.

AMBERLET. Thursday, Fbb. 15. (Befose Mr H. W. Bishop, 8.M., and Mr J. Innes, J.P.) ■ Maintenance.— Annie Hoban v. T. Hoban. MriDonnelly appeared for plaintiff, Mr M’donnel for defendant. ;These parties ‘ were married last May, and, each had grown-up families. Owing to, some unpleasantness they agreed to separate, defendant undertaking to pay plaintiff 7b 6d per week for five years. Plaintiff s&id that she could not support herself and two children, aged mheHabd'twelvetyears respectively, on this sum, and now ’sought to compel the defendant.as stepfather, to contribute to their support, the Charitable Aid Board having refused any assistance so long as plaintiff had relatives capable of supporting herself and family. After a lengthy hearing the ease was dismissed. Civil Cases. —W. Acton-Adams v. David Brown, claim £O7 9a 7d for ploughing, harrowing, &c. This case was heard at the last sitting; judgment was now given for plaintiff for £4B 19s and costs’ £2. Thomas M’Naught v. Christopher Boyce, £2l; judgment for plaintiff by default. Same v. 3 ohn Guthrie; £8 10a lid; judgment for .plaintiff by default.... J. O’Carroll v. Borland, £3 17s lid j judgment for plaintiff. Same v.-‘W;‘Brizley, £9 is ; judgment for .plaintiff; ; Harkov. G. B. Starkey, claim £7’Bs4d£or wages; judgment for plaintiff - ' - ■ - : SOUTHBRIDGE. Friday, Feb. 16. (Before Mr R. Beetham, K.M., and Mr H. J. Hall, J.P.) • i Assault. —Henry Breeze was charged with assaulting Jamea Wright.. Ho acknow-

ledged the offence, and was fined 10a and costs. w Cxviii Cases. — Souch and Co. v. N. Bassi, claim 17a 6d Judgment for plaintiffs.—Same v. Qlmour. Adjourned to next Court day, wfeadant forwarding a medical certificate that he was unable to appear.—Same v. f. S. Lewis, claim 7a 6d. Judgment fotplaintiffa by default. — Cooper Bros. v. H,Hamilton, claim £2 12s Id. Judgment fo: plaintiffs by default.— Sarah Walters v. J Carrion, claim £3. In this case plaintiff laimed for three weeks nursing of defendat’s wife. For the defence it was allege! that plaintiff merely came on a visit toiefendant, and was supposed to give her ervicea in return for her board. After heaing evidence, the Bench gave judgment fo ijl 10s.—T. Durant v. W. Hall, claim j 27 Os sd. Mr Ritchie for defendant. Plaintiff sued as the assignee of the boh debts in the estate of Durant and Son, but neglected to bring hia authority. Tie case was adjourned till next Court ay.—T. Gamble v. J. Baker, claim j£B a 3d. This was a claim for millinery an clothing supplied to defendant’s wife. Defendant denied any knowledge of thslebt being incurred, and stated that he applied his wife with reasonable sums o money for all necessary requirements. le also affirmed that he had given plainiff notice that he would not bo responsibl for any debts incurred by hia wife withot his authority. After hearing evideace,ihe Bench adjourned the case to obtain th evidence of defendant’s wif£..