MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 182, 7 September 1914, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.) UNDER THE INFLUENCE. A long list of drunks appealed before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., this morning, some charged with insobriety alone, and others with drunkenness and various other complications which arose incidentally. Four first offenders were fined 5/-, in default 24 hours at Lyttelton. Robert Dunn, for a second offence within six months, was fined 10/-, with the option of 48 hours' imprisonment. LOST HIS DIRECTION. Ernest Benjamin Gee (Mr Cassidy), who appeared, charged with being found drunk while in charge of a car, and for having resisted the arresting constable, pleaded guilty to both charges. Sub-Inspector McKinnon explained that accused had been heading for j Spreydon, but had . found himself in Linwood. Incidentally, he had run into a cab, and had made free use of the footpath as well as the road. Mr Bishop: A motor-car is dangerous sometimes in the hands of a sober man, but in the hands "of a drunken man —a man like that is not fit to have a car. - Sub-Inspector McKinnon 'explained that damage to the extent of 10/- ''had been done to the cab. Mr Cassidy: He regrets it very much. The Magistrate imposed a fine of 20/in default seven days' imprisonment on the charge of drunkenness, and. 40/- or in default one month's imprisonment for resisting the constable, with full costs. TWQ BLACIf EYES. ; Samuel Duffy (Mr Cassidy) appeared as a first offender for drunkenness, and . also on a charge of assault on some person unknown. On the charge of assault he was fined 40/- or a month's imprisonment, half, the amount -to go to the man assaulted, and on the charge of drunkenness 5/-, in default 24 houre' imprisonment, and a prohibition > order will be issued against you. «. GUILTY TINDER PROVOCATION. Alexander Scott, a young man, •>29' years of age, when charged with assaulting Walter-Smith in Gloucester Street on the sth inst., pleaded " guilty under provocation.'' . 9 Police evidence was called, which went to show'that there had been a disturbance outside the Masonic Hotel, and; accused had been seen to strike another man on the back of the head. He had been looking for trouble, and was nothing short of being out on the warpath. . - ! The Magistrate also considered that aecused had been looking for trouble. He imposed a fine of 40/-, in default month's imprisonment. BOTTLE-HO! Thomas Moore, and Margaret Griffin, aged 49 and 57 respectively, appeared on the strength of 42 previous convictions between them, charged with being idles and disorderly persons. - Both the accused, who made a sorry sight ip the box, pleaded not guilty. One had not been before the cdurt since 1910, and the other for four years. The Magistrate ordered accused to come up for sentence when called upon. v CIVIL BUSINESS. Judgment by default, was given in each of the following undefended, actions:—R. Hannah and Co., Ltd., v. Walter Raymond Vernall, £2 19/9; Christchurch City Council v. John Fabian Molloy, £4 11/8; Eliza Mary Hunt v. H. J. Gwatkins, £5 9J-; G. Tregurtha v. J. Bucknell, £2 12/7; Christchurch Painters' Union v. A. Roberts, 18/-; Albert Sinclair. Butterfield v. Wm. Millington, £7 10/-; North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board v. Thos. "Veitch, 10/-; Bros. Export and Trading Co., Ltd. .v. J. Meyer, £ll 10/4. William Horam (Mr A. T. Donnelly) sued John Eppingstone Young (Mr Hunt), a labourer,/for payment ot. £45 2/6, money in respect to a debt due to Alexander Meharry, ex-liceiisee of the Queen's Hotel. . - Evidence showed that for a considerable period the. defendant had boarded at the hotel, and While there had borrowed various sums of money from the licensee and the servants in_ order to procure liquor, on the "strength of money willed him by his father. v After hearing extensive evidence his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff for £36 11/- and costs. LYTTELTON. (Before Messrs J. R. Webb and L. A. Stringer, J.P's.) DRUNKENNESS. One first offender for drunkenness was fined 10/- and costs, and another was convicted and discharged. William Stone, a second offender, wag fined £1 or fourteen days. ASSAULT. William Robert Koskella and Alfred Thomas Koskella were charged with on August 31 assaulting Oliver George Shuker, so as to cause him actual bodily harm.* On the application of Senior-SeTgeant Ryan*, the charge was amended to one of common assault. Both the accused pleaded not guilty. After hearing .evidence . the Bench fined William Koskella 40/-, in default 14 days. The case against Albert' Kod-1 kella was dismissed.