Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 114, 24 September 1868, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Dat. (Before C. C. Bo wen, Esq., R.M.) Assault. — Edward M'Court was brought iip in ■ ustody, charged with having violently assaulted his wife. Complainant said prisoner had caught hold of her when intoxicated, torn her dregs and threatened to knock her down. He did not strike her, as she managed to get out of Irs way. He had frequently conducted himself in a similar manner. She told him to be quiet, or she would send for the police. She had not any witnesses to prove her case. His Worship said he would like to hear the evidence of some of the neighbours, and would remand prisoner until to-morrow to enable them to be summoned. Cattle Trespass. — Richard Clarke was charged with having tethered a horse in Oxford Terrace, on the 10th inst. The offence was admitted, but defendant pleaded in extenuation that "he had for some time previous seen a grey horse kept in the same place, and ha did not think he was doing wrong by acting in a similar manner. His Worship said such proceedings in the city had been punished for some years past, and a fine of 10s would be imposed. VW. S. Ivens pleaded guilty to permitting one horse to wander &t large in Cathedral square, and wan flnedljijp Thos. Clarkson appeared in answer to a similar charge, and pleaded in excuse that the horse had broken his haltar and got out of the stable. His Worship fined him ss. CRUEi/rr to Animals — Edmund Hunt was -summoned for having ill-use-i and cruelly beaten a horse on the 16th inst. Constable O'Connor said about half-past five in the afternoon of the day named he saw defendant riding a horse near the Vicoria bridge, and beating it furiously about the head with a heavy riding whip. Witness epoke to him, and asked him to desist, but instead of doing so, he struck the horse on the- head again, and galloped away towards the Junction Hotel. Witness followed, and obtained his name. Next morning he saw the horse in TJeecher's stable, and on examination found several very severe cuts on various parts of the body and head, and one eye had a thick scum over it. A witness nsmed Delnmere corroborated this evidence, and added that defendant was beating the horse at thebridgefur fully 10 minutes. The horse appeared wil'.inp to go, but defendant held it in and would not let it. Defendant was not drunlc, and after galloping away from the bridge, stopped again near the Junction Hotel, where he recommenced beating the horse. J. Beecher, livery stable keeper, Mnrket-piace, said defmdunt hired the horse whilst he was nut on the morning of the day named, and brought it back in .i very bad state. It was severely cut in several places on the body and head. '} he sight of one eye was in danger or' being lost, but a doctor had been in attendance, iind tie horse whs now recovering Defendant had declined to ask the witnesses any questions, but in defence sa d the lmrne was restive and reared wiih him several times. He struck it to make it quiet. His Woi*slrij> said that was no way to use a horse-, under any circumstances, defendant's conduct had been brutal and senseless in the extreme, and he would be fined 205., and have to pay the expenses of three witnesses. It would also be advisable for him to pay for the damage to the horse, or he would be liable to prosecution. Inspector Pender remarked a summons had already been taken out by Mr Beecher for the amount. His Worship said, in consideration of the additional expense defendant was thereby threatened with, he would reduce the fine to 10s. Breach of the Police Ordinance. — Robert Falloon was charged with having been at such a distance from his horses and 'bus, on the 12th instant, as to be unable to exercise proper control over them. Constable Eares adduced that on the day named, whilst defendant was in the refreshmentroom of the railway station, his horses bolted into the city. Witness followed, and found them near the Cavershain Hotel, where they had been stopped, after breaking the pole and doing other damage. The offence

was not denied, and a fine of 10s was inflicted. Indecent Exposuhh.— -Martin Mundy was fined 10s for committing this offence in Armagh street, on the 11th instant. Breach of the Stage Carriage Oedixance. — James Francis was fined 10s for neglecting to hare the licensed number of passengers marked on his velucle. Breach op the City By-Laws. — T. O. Mullins was fined 10s for carrying luggage in a hansom cab. Suxdat Liquor Selling. — John Pox, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, and F. King, of the Junction Hotel, were respectively fined 50s and 10s, for selling liquor during prohibited hours. Sale op Liquors. — Three informations were preferred against ffm. Prebble, of Prebbleton, for selling less than two gallons of beer without being licensed to do so, but the informant O'Lauchlin when called upon to give evidence, denied having laid them, and the case was dismissed. O'Lauchlin was afterwards tried for perjury, but was discharged ; his Worship telling him, however, that he had had a very narrow escape.