MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 244, 18 November 1914, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Messrs H. J. Crowther and P. Agar, JJP.'s.) DRINK.

A male first offender for drunkenness was fined 5/-, while Jas. Warner, for a second offence in' Cambridge Terrace, was fined 10/-. DRINK AND INDECENCY. Wm. John Lawrence (Mr T. W. Rowe) admitted having been, drunk in Oxford Terrace. He was further charged with indecent exposure irs Oxford Terrace, which he did not admit, and with indecently assaulting a female of the age of four years 11 months. After evidence for the prosecution was taken on the second charge, Mr Rowe submitted that the accused was 62 years of age, a widower, with a family of 12 children of his own. He had been slightly under the influence Of liquor. «? Accused was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour, the hearing of, the third charge being remanded till Wednesday next. VAGRANCY.

John Ingram Melville appeared on remand charged with being drunk in Cashel Street. He was also up for sentence on a charge of being a rogue and a . vagabond, having been ordered by Mr Bailey to leave the town, which he had not done.

On the charge of drunkenness he was fined 5/-, a remand being granted on the other charge till Friday.

ALLEGED THEFT. Mary Agnes Vaughan appeared on remand charged with having been drunk in Dundas Street, and with having stolen a ring valued at £ls from the person of Win. Sydney Smith at Christchurch on the 14th inst.

The charge was reduced to one of simple" theft of a ring valued, at £5. Accused pleaded not guilty and told a tale ;,of her having' been given the ring., The police told a somewhat different but the accused was given the benefit of the doubt, and the information was dismissed. On the charge of drunkenness, a fourth offence, she was fined 10/-. BY-LAW BREACHES. Harold Hazelhurst, for cycling without a'light, was fined 7/- and costs, and for having given a false name and address he was fined a further 20/-. For having left a vehicle unattended in Sydenham, Archibald Francis Phillips was fined 5/- and costs, while for driving without a light Edward Clarence Halsey was mulcted in 5/- and costs also. Three offending motor cyclists were charged with exceeding the speed limit over crossings:—John W. Dixon was fined 5/- and costs; Arthur Cumberpatch, 10/- and costs; and Williard W. Isitt' for a fourth offence was fined 20/- and costs. A fourth motorist, Thos. Mitchell, for having motored without having a light on his side chair, w£ts fined 10/- and costs. For having left a motor cycle without a light, Gordon Tate Lucas was treated similarly. WANDERING STOCK. Wm. Jas. Henry Mitchell Shaw was charged on four informations of having allowed stock to wander, being fined 5/and costs on each charge. STREET ORATORS. Geo. Yule and Harry Young, for having obstructed the traffic in High Street by delivering an address, were each fined 5/and costs.

RANGIORA.

(Before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.)

William Buchanan was charged on remand yesterday with committing rape upon Doris Chapman on Saturday November 7, at West Eyreton. Mr Donnelly, jun. ? appeared for the accused, Mr Van Asch6 acting as interpreter for complainant, who was deaf and dumb. By order of the Magistrate the court was cleared. After hearing evidence the Magistrate committed accused for trial. CIVIL CASES. Judgment was given for plaintiffs by default in the following cases:—G. Thompson v. ,T. Ingram, £7, and £1 o/O costs; W. J. Ford v. A. Russell £1 8/0, costs 8/-.