MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16742, 24 December 1914, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. James Murrr.ne, a second offender for drunkenness, appeared at the Ma- i gist-rate’s Court yesterday, before Mr A. S. Bruce, J.P., and Mr H. An-1 drews, J.P., and was fined ss, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Christina Lawson, with 192 previous convictions for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged.

Thomas Blue had to answer two charges, ono of drunkenness, and one of being an idle and disorderly person in that lie had insufficient lawful means ' of support. To the first charge ho ) pleaded guilty, but denied the. second i charge. A conviction was recorded on | the first charge, and a sentence of three months’ imprisonment with hard labour imposed on the second. I Margaret Griffon was charged with being n rogue and a vagabond in that she had insufficient lawful means of support, and had been previously convicted of being an idle and disorderly person. .She was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

William Harrison, charged with helpless drunkenness, was remanded for a week for treatment.

•John Fleming Mills, charged with failing to provide maintenance, was also remanded for a week, bail being allowed in self £IOO and one surety of £IOO.

For cycling on the footpath George Howard was fined 7s and costs. Eric Jill) and Dal by Coates, who had cycled at night without having a. light, were each fined 5s and costs, and Harold Blackburn. who did not appear, was fined 7s and costs for a similar offence. Frank Oakfield Clark and Richard John Potter. who had ridden cycles in Sydenham Park,- were convicted and discharged. For riding a motor-cvcle on the esplanade at Sumner, Albert Armstrong was fined 10s qml costs. Frederick Smith, who had ridden a motor-cyclo without having the registered number attached to it, was fined 5s and costs. Jehu Matson, who had driven a motorcar over the crossing cf Lichfield, Manchester and High Streets at an excessive speed, was fined 10s and costs Ernest Akerman Smith, who had left his motor-car on the West Belt so as to obstruct the traffic, was fined 10s and costs. Frank Townend, for driving a motor-car without having obtained n certificate, was fined 20s and costs. Allan Foster, who had failed to chain the wheel of his express and had left the vehicle without a light on election night, was fined 5s and costs on the first charge, and 10s and costs on the second.

Frank Holloway pleaded guilty to a charge of fading to chain the wheel of a vehicle. He also pleaded guilty, under orovoenuon. of using threatening behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. The motormnn of a tvnmcnr running to North New Brighton said that on Stanmore Road a horse and cart was in the wav. He stopped the car and got out to shift the vehicle. Defendant shouted. out,, and used threatening .language. As the witness got into his car defendant used had language, so he got down and .asked his name. The evidence was corroborated. Defendant snkl that he thought the motormnn was "jigging” the horse’s mouth, which was very tender. He did not use much had language. On the first charge he was fined 5s and costs, and on the second C2 and cos's.

Foi allowing two horses tn wander at large, John Howieson. who had recently been convicted on a similar charge, was fined l(ls and costs. Robert Gibbs, for allowing one horse to wander, was fined 5s and costs, and on a second charge, referring to three horses, was fined 10s and costs.

Walter Turner and John Joseph Doylo were charged with stealing eight fowls, valued at £2, the property of one John Lindsay. Mr Donnelly appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. John Lindsay said that he had noticed three men coming from his fowlyard, where there had been a commotion. They went into a property near his, and by tho time he got to his front gate he saw three men come out of the place next but one to his. He recognised Turner, and be and 'one other man were carrying fowls. Witness followed them up tho street. They went on to a section, arid later he saw them carrying a, bag. One of the men crossed over and followed , witness. Witness went and found a policeman. Witness recognised the accused Doyle by his voice. Later the police found the fowls on a property in St Asaph Street. There was a small white dog with the men, Constable Dorgan gave evidence as to the finding of the fowls, which were dead. He took the names, of tho accused. Constable Ross said that he was called by Constable Dorgan. Ho saw’ a third man running away. The two accused refused to say who their companion was. La.ter witness followed the accused and the third man. Ho lost, them at tho corner, and so went back to the corner of Madras and High Street. Later he picked up the accused again by themselves. The fowls were found near a stable. Witness noticed a small dog following the men. Acting-Detective Regan gave evidence as to the arrest. The stable near which the fowls were found was occupied by accused. The Bench held that, on the evidence, there was no ease against the accused Doyle. In the case against Turner, counsel urged that as it was the first conviction of dishonesty against him, he should not be sentenced to imprisonment. Accused was fined £3 and ordered to pay the value of the stolen property. Frederick Thomas Bonham, for whom Mr Donnelly appeared, was charged that within the space of one month past lie did indecently assault a female under the ago of sixteen years, to wit, nine years. The accused pleaded not guilty, reserved' his defence and was committed for trial at tho next sitting of the Supreme Court. Bail was fixed at self £IOO and one surety of £IOO. John Corby was charged with failing to grub gorse on Wakefield Road, abutting on property occupied by him, as required by the Waimairi County Council. Defendant said that he neither owned nor occupied the property, and, on the application of Mr Dougall, who appeared for the Council, the ease was adjourned till January 13. A similar case against Daniel Naismitli was adjourned for a month, to allow defendant to comply with the requirements. Alexander Jarden charged John Stevens with assault, and John Stevens charged Alexander Jarden with assaulting him. The quarrel arose over a boundary fence. The Bench dismissed both informations. LYTTELTON. Captain R. Hatchwell, J.P., and Mr J. It. Webb. J.P.. presided at the Lyttelton Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Frank C'ole and James Foaron appeared on a charge of having behaved in a violent manner. Both men pleaded guilty and a fine of 10s and costs was imposed in .each case.