MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12986, 29 November 1902, Page 5

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, Nov. 23. (Before Mr J. Richardson, J.P., Mr W. Samuels, J.P., and Mr J. Prudhoe, J.P.) Drunkenness. —Thomas Hart,' charged with being drunk, was fined 10s and costs, in defamlt forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. —Henry MTntosh pleaded guilty to a charge of having been drunk while in charge of a horse and cart at Sumner. He was fined £1 and costs. Petty Theft.—Joseph Porter pleaded guilty to a charge of having, on Nov. 27, at Burwood, stolen two padlocks, one dogcollar, a clothes peg, a paint-brush dad sundry articles of clothing, of the total value of 3s, the property of Mrs Mace. Sub-Inspector Dwyer prosecuted, and Mr Cassidy appeared for the defence. Mr Cassidy explained that the accused had been present at an auction sale, and after purchasers had taken away their things a few old padlocks and other things were left lying about, which the accused had taken. There were three courses open to their Worships which might meet the case—one was to fine him, another to admit him to probation, and another to dismiss him with a warning. The accused, he might add, was respectably connected. The accused was fined 20s and costs. The Confidence Trick.—Dennis Patrick Mahoney was charged with having, on Nov. 27, at Christchurch, attempted to impose upon William Palmer by offering a biass ring to him for sale, and representing that it was a gold one. He was further* charged with passing off a brass ring as a gold ring upon Daniel Smith. The evidence was that the accused had entered Warner’s Hotel and sold a brass ring, worth between 6s and 8s per doz, to one of the employees, representing that he was hard-up, and wanted the money. He immediately cleared out upon getting the money, and the buyer subsequently found that his purchase was brass. Some time after the accused again visited the hotel and endeavoured to pass off another brass ring for sale on another employee. He was seen by his former victim, who handed him into custody. The accused, who had nothing to say in defence, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.

Alleged Indecent Exposure.—John Guntrip, a young man, appeared before the Bench on three charges of having indecently exposed his person near the Addington' reserve. Mr. Widdowson appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. The first two ■ charges were dismissed, and the police thereupon withdrew the third.—Thomas Hooper was charged with indecent exposure on Oct. 9, at Woolston. Mr Raphael appeared for the accused, who pleaded mot guilty. After hearing evidence, the Bench dismissed the case.-—Arthur Orchard, a boy, charged with indecent exposure at Fendalton, was remanded until next Friday, bail being allowed in two sureties of £25 and a recognisance of £SO.

The By-laws.—F. H. Anderson was fined 5s and costs for riding his bicycle on the footpath.—Charles Burgess, who did not appear, was fined 5s and costs for driving a vehicle after dark without lights.— Cecil Rudkin pleaded not guilty to a charge of riding his bicycle without a light. After hearing evidence the Bench decided to dismiss the case.—Charles Abraham, a coloured man, pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing an obstruction and refusing to remove bis icea-cream l cart. He was fined 10s and costs.—W. E. Brookland pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving over the Sydenham railway crossing against the signals while an engine was approaching. He was fined £1 and costs.—Duncan Munro was fined 10s and costs for driving over the crossing at the intersection of High and Cashel Streets, at other than a walking pace.—For leaving his cab unattended, John Heffeman, who did not appear, was fined £1 and costs.—Joseph Hutchinson was fined 10s and costs for allowing horses to wander at large.—H. H. Loughnan, charged with riding a bicycle after dark without a light, was fined 10s and costs. Prohibition Order.—An order of this nature was issued against a man, to take effect in the Christchurch and surrounding districts for one year. Alleged Burglary.—Michael Bums was charged with having, on Nov. 23, at Christchurch unlawfully broken into the house of Mr F. W. Brightling at night, with intent to commit a/crime. Mr Harvey appeared for the accused. The evidence was to the effect that at about 2 a.m. on the night in question James Anderson, a boarder with Frank Brightling, was awakened by someone shuffling on his bedroom floor. Anderson lit a match, amd discovered the accused kneeling down on the floor. He got np, but did not bolt, and Anderson looked at him attentively. The man arid' it ’was his mistake, and hie had mistaken the room. He then got downstairs, and as Anderson was striking another match he bolted out of the front door. Anderson then awoke Brightling, amd the latter went out and saw two men standing by the front gate. The accused’ was identified by Mr and Mrs Brightling as the man who had been in their room. There was a string on the front latch, by means of which the door could be opened from outride. There was no evidence as to who had! locked the door before retiring to rest. The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial, bail being allowed in two sureties of £SO and the accused’s recognisance of £IOO.

LYTTELTON. Friday, Nov. 28. (Before Mr C. Ferrier, J.P.) Abusive Language.—William Haydon pleaded guilty to a charge of having used insulting and threatening language towards his father, John Haydon. The complainant did not press for a penalty, and said 1 that he would be satisfied if his son left the place. The Bench ordered the accused to be bound over to keep the peace for twelve mouths, himself in £SO and two sureties of £SO each, the execution of the warrant to be suspended if he left Lyttelton forthwith and did not return within twelve months. RANGIORA. Friday, Nov. 28. (Before Mr H. W. Bishop. S.M., and Mr E. B. Good, J.P.) Breach of the Peace. —Daniel MTntyre and John Gillespie, charged) with fighting in High Street on election: night, were each fined ss, with 7s costs. Cow on the Line.—Henry Brooks was charged with allowing a cow to trespass on the railway line at Sefton. Mr Stringer appeared for the Department. Defendant did not appear, but sent a letter admitting the charge, and saying that he had now hobbled the cow. Mr Stringer stated that the cow had trespassed ever since, and, being hobbled, was a greater danger to traffic than before. A fine of 5s and £1 19s lOd costs was inflicted. Civil Cases.—Judgment by default was given in the following cases;—North Canterbury Co-operative Stores Company v. S. Wilson, claim £8 Is lid, and costs 14s; and E. R. Good v. E. H. Brown, £6 17s 4d and costs Bs.