MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12161, 27 March 1900, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

, CHRISTCHURCH. . Monday, March 26. (Before Mr J. C. Sopp. J.P., Mr" E. Jones, J.P., and Mr J. M. Douglass ; J.P.) Drunkenness.—James Brown, who did not surrender to his bail, was fined 10s and costs, in default, forty-eight hours' imprisonment.—A first offender, n woman, charged with being drunk in Cashel Street, way fined 5s and costs, in default, twenty-four hours' imprisonment.—A first offender, the husband of the last accused, was fined 20s and costs, in default seven days' imprisonment, for being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart. —A first offender was fined 5s and costs, and another who did not appear was fined 10s and costs.—A first offender, who did not appear, was charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart. He was fined 20s and costs, in default, seven days' imprisonment. Alleged Theft from the Person.— John Conway, for whom Mr Byrne appeared, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having, on March 17, stolen'3d, a purse, and a key, total value 2s 6d, from the person.of William Mock. The prosecutor stated that he was a wool-washer at Islington. On the evening of St Patrick's Day, between eleven and twelve o'clock, he was passing the Cafe Hotel when he met three men. One of them, the accused he thought, wished him good night, as he passed; and a couple of paces further on put his hands in his trouser's pocket and took out the purse. The three then made off in the direction of the City Hotel. On Monday, March 19, witness identified Conway in the police cells'as being the man who had robbed him. Witness knew Conway very well by sight, having seen him frequently at Tattersall's Hotel when Mrs, Conway kept it. -Witness was sure that Conway was the man who picked his pocket. Detective Chrysfcall deposed to arresting the accused on March 19. He denied the charge, and asked to. be confronted with the informant. This was done, and the informant charged him with.stealing his purse. Thomas M'Kay, an employee in Scott Bros., said that he and his wife were in Murphy's Hotel on St Patrick's night with the accused from about twenty minutes to ten o'clock until closing up time. The three afterwards went along Manchester Street towards the railway station, accompanied by a man named M'Donald. Witness separated from the accused at a quarter to twelve, on the South Belt. Mr Byrne said he could lead similar evidence from the other two witnesses. The Bench dismissed the case without hearing further evidence. (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) Civil Case.—Judgment was given by default in the case A. Muff v. E. M. Stevens, claim £7 13s 6d. KAIAPOI. Monday, March 26. (Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., and Mr E. Feldwick, Mayor.) . Alleged Assault and Bobbery.—Two men named Bangnall and Rodgers were charged, on remand, with having assaulted William Bennett at Kaiapoi on March 23, and having stolen from him a watch and chain. Evidence was given by several witnesses, and statements were made by the accused. They were both committed for trial.