MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 562, 27 November 1915, Page 12

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TO-DAY'S. CASES. Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court this morning. DRUNKENNESS. Donald Campbell pleaded not guilty to a charge of being drunk in Caversham Street,' and guilty to a charge of assaulting-Constable H. Williams, while; acting in the execution of his duty. Constable Williams said that he found the accused drunk, and when he .asked him his name he was punched in the chest, and the accused lunged out with his "right." Accused: I did not know he was a constable. I got a smack in mouth, and had my teeth knocked out before I knew where I was. ' The .accused was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and on the charge of assault he was fined 40/- or, in default, 14 days' imprisonment. ALLEGED THEFT AND FORGERY. Edward Aidan Thomas, alias George Williams, was charged that on November 23, at Sydenham, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Farquhar Young, and stole jewellery valued at £l2 10/-. The accused was further charged with forging a certificate of character under the Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1908, purporting to be signed by R. Pearson, master of the s.s. Opouri. The offence was alleged to have been committed on November 16 at Lyttelton. .On the former charge the accused was remanded to appear on Wednesday next, and on the latter he was remanded to appear at Lyttelton. A DISORDERLY HOUSE. Josephine Courtney appeared on a charge of keeping a house of ill-repute at 14 Belfast Street. She pleaded notguilty. _ _ Julia Price, a sister of Courtney, pleaded not guilty to a charge,of being an idle and disorderly person. Sergeant Montgomery said he had known the accused for the past four months. They had been keeping a very disorderly house in Belfast Street. The accused were convicted and ordered to come up for senence when called upon. They would not be called up if they remained in the Mount Magdala Home for 12 months. Lucy Reilly, another sister, pleaded guilty to a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, in that she had insufficient lawful means of support. Sergeant Jackson said that he had visited the house of the accused at 112 Antigua Street, Sydenham, and had | found other women and the accused under the influence of liquor. Accused : said that the father of • her baby had gone to the front. She would be quite willing to go to the Mount Magdala Home for 12 months. She was convicted and ordered to ' come for sentence when called upon, on the understanding that she remained j' in the Mount Magdala Home for 12.) months.

Throe children belonging to Julia Price, and two belonging to Josephine Courtney, were charged with living in a house of ill-repute. One child was ordered to a receiving home, and decision concerning the remainder was deferred. A child belonging to Lucy Reilly was

committed to the Christchurch ReceivI ing Homc= LYTTELTON CASES. (Before Messrs C. Ferrier and L. A. Stringer, JiP's;) One first: offender for drunkenness rwaa convicted, and discharged. ' DESERTION. , SamuelMarshman; pleaded guilty l to.a • charge of having deserted from the Norwegian barque Sator at Lyttelton on March 30, 1915. Senior-Sergeant Ryan stated that .a warrant had been issued for the ; arrest of accused, when the vessel was atLyt- ' telton in March last, and had not been withdrawn. Accused was convicted and ordered to pay court costs amounting to 7/-. CERTIFICATE OF CHARACTER. George Williams, alias Edward Adien Thomasj was charged that on November 16, 1915, at Lyttelton, he forged a certificate of character under the Shipping and'- Seaman's Act, 1908, purporting; it to be signed by R. Pearson, master of the steamer Opouri/ it being an indictable offence. Captain Ransom, master of the steamer Hebburn, said .he remembered accused coming on board his ship some time during the present month, seeking the position of cook. He was asked for his references, but told the captain he had lost all his papers at the Dardanelles, and. had. only recently come back. When asked what ship he had been in the accused said-he had been in the Opouri, which was then lying on the opposite side of the wharf. Witness told accused-he would engage him if he would get a note from; Captain Pearson. Accused then left, and returned with a note. He was then engaged as cook. He slept on board the Hebburn that night, and went ashore the following morning. On the application of Senior-Sergeant Ryan, accused was remanded to appear on Saturday next, when the Opouri would probably be in port.