MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11530, 17 March 1898, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, March 16. (Before Mr W. H. Hargreaves, J.P., and Mr W. H. Cooper, J.P.) Drunkenness. Two firsb offenders (male) wero each fined os, with the usual alternative.—Annie Murdoch, charged with being found drunk in Victoria Street, pleaded not guilty, and laid a grave charge against the constable who arrested her. After hearing the evidence, the Bench sentenced her to seven days’ imprisonment. Robbing an Orchard. —Two small boys were charged with stealing a quantity of apples on Feb. 6, atSpreydon, the property of George Woodman. Mr Byrne appeared for the boys, who pleaded not guilty. After the evidence had been heard, the Bench decided to dismiss the case with a caution. Prohibition Order. A. prohibition order was granted against a man, to take effect in Christchurch and the surrounding districts for one year. Alleged Tiiejt. —Thomas Sutton was charged with stealing about 71b of horsehair, tho property of James Snell, about March 9. Mr Beatty appeared for tho accused, who pleaded not guilty. Ho was remanded till March 21, bail being allowed in two sureties of J£2s each.—Thomas Haggitt, alias Wilson, Johnston and Fletcher, was charged on remand with stealing one shirt and a breastpin, value iBl, tho property of F. W. Stamp. No evidence was forthcoming, and the accused was accordingly discharged. LYTTELTON. Wednesday, March 16. (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) Maintenance, —Patrick Morland was charged with being in arrears to tho extent of J2i 8s for the maintenance of his children. Mr Nalder appeared for the wife, Sophia Morland, Defendant was sent to gaol for one month.

Absent Without Leave, Andrew Kelly, a seaman belonging to the s.s. Tckomaru, pleaded guilty to being away from, his ship two days without leave. Ho was fined two days’ pay.

Alleged Breach oe the Licensing Act. —Thomas J. M'Enorney, licensee of the Albion Hotel, was charged with permitting drunkenness on his premises on .Sunday, Feb. 27. Air Kippenbergor appeared for defendant. The evidence of Constables M’Cormaek and Hnstie was to (he effect that they were looking for men who had created a disturbance, and had fodT.d them sitting in a room in tho Albion Hotel. Tho licensee said he did not know the men wero there. Tho case was dismissed.

Til BE ATE XIMG Co KDUCT. — Will lam Cook 8, a Native, and R. Sohenckol were charged ■with being guilty of threatening behaviour. Evidence was given by A. Thompson, a licensed porter, W. J. * Carson, and Constable Connell to the effect that on Feb. 23, tbo two accused came by one of the trains from Christchurch, and immediately after getting out of tho railway station, commenced lighting. After hearing the evidence of the accused, the case was dismissed. Civil Cages.— Troleaven v. Monk, .£6 13s. Mr I'Talder appeared for plaintiff, who was nonsuited, • with costs S:1 12s Bd, Mr Deacon being for the other side. B. Roberts v. Eli Scott, £-1 13s. Judgment for defendant, with costs £o 2s. Mr Nalderfor plaintiff, Mr Cresswell for defendant. Nalder v. Bennett, £5 Bs, Judgment for plaintiff by default. Baxter v. Coway. Mr Joyce appeared for defendant, and by consent the case was adjourned, to be heard on a date to be fixed. GERALDINE. Wednesday, March 16. (Before Mr M. C. Orbell, J.P., and Mr H. W. Mqoro, J.P.) Civil Cases. —Thomas Coogan v. G. Meredith, jun., claim J!l2 5s 6d for wages due; judgment for plaintiff by default for amount claimed with costs.—JohnD. Jones y. James Kelman (Mr Raymond), claim ill 14s, for sheep alleged to have been taken by defendant and not returned. Mr Raymond stated that the defendant had allowed the case to come into court as plaintiff had been spreading scandalous, reports about him, and he wanted an opportunity to publicly refute them. The plaintiff’s case was that defendant’s sheep had broken through and had got mixed with his (plaintiff’s), In taking his sheep out defendant took thirty-nine of plaintiff’s amongst them, and next day ho returned only thirty-four. Defendant deposed that ho returned thirty-eight sheep through a gap in the fence, and one sheep he had to leave on the way, ns it was a weakling. Evidence was also given to show that plaintiff’s fences were not shcop-froof, and the four sheep might have got out after they were put back into his paddock. The Bench agreed that defendant had given plaintiff every facility to find his sheep, and had not tho slightest intention of depriving him of them. Judgment was given in favour of defendant, with costs. Plaintiff intimated that he would probably apply for a re-hearing of the case.