Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 127, 8 October 1868, Page 2

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness. — William Prideaux was brought up in custody, charged with having been drunk and disorderly yesterday. Prisoner admitted the offeuce, and kis Worship remarking that it was his seventh appearance before the Bjnch, fined him 20s. His Worship also cautioned him that if he appeared again, he would be dealt with as a confirmed drunkard. Cattle Trespass. — John Pearce was fined 5s for permitting a cow to wander at large on the East town belt. Margaret Cotton was charged with allowing four cows to be similarly at large on the Cemetery road. Defendand pleaded that a boy was in charge of them, hut the constable denied it, and his Worship inflicted a penalty of 20s, remarking that he was tired of warning her. She had been constantly offending during the past two years, and it would almost appear that she did it on purpose. E. Stewart appeared in answer to a similar charge for one horse, but pleaded that some one had cut the rope with which it was tethered. He had reason to suspect that it had been done from malice, and produced the rope to support his statement. His Worship adjourned the case for a week, in order that enquiries might be made. of the Hackxkt Carriage JiY&jLYr*. — Walter Hartnell, and Henry Best s^jere charged with having left their licensed vehicles unattended in a public thoroughfare. Best admitted the offence, and was fined 10s, but Hartnall denied it. Constable Jeffrey said about a quarter past eleven on the night named in the information, he saw the defendants'cabs standing together outside a brothel. He watched them for about ten minutes, duing which he heard singing and dancing in the house. He then went up to the door, when defendants came out and drove away. Hartnell had a lamp in his hand. By Hartnell: There was no one near the cabs when he first saw them. He did not know how long they had been standing there before he

went, but he certainly watched them for upwards of ten minutes. In defence, Hattnell sail he had only gone to the door to get a light for his lamp, and did not go inside at all. He had only just received the Bumlnon?, and had not had time to procure witnesses. Inspector Pender said the summons had been issued for some days, bu; defendant had been "keeping out of the way. He knew that the summons was out agaiust him. His Worship ultimately consented to adjourn the case until to-morrpw to enable defendant to procure his witnesSesA A. MTaggart pleaded guilty to also haviujHeft his cab unattended in a public thoroughfare, and was fined ss. Assault.— Henry Fsrster was brought up in custody for having violently assaulted his wife. Complainant said whilst putting one of the children to bed yesterday prisoner came into the housa and commenced beating the other. She remonstrated, saying the child did not deserve it, when he abused her, and then struck her. bhe told him she would not put up with it any longer, and went oufcside. He followed her into the yard and kicked her down. He had previously maltreated .her several times, but not since last May. A neighbour came up when prisoner was striking her in the yard, and he then discontinued. She had several bruises on her face from his blows. A witness who saw the blows given ia the yard corroborated that part of complainant's statement. Prisoner was very violent, and complainant had not done anything to him in the yard before being struck. Prisoner admitted having struck his wife, but pleaded frequent provocation. In reply to the Bench Inspector Pender said prisoner was of a hot temperament, but lie believed he had a great deal to contend with from his wife. His Worship said although making allowance for this he could not take it as any excuse for prisoner's conduct. It was a serious offence to ttrike a woman and more especially a wife, and he would be fined 20s. It was his first offence, aad it was to be hoped it would be the last. Complainant expressed her desire for a separation. His Worship aaid he could do nothing in that respect, but cautioned prisoner if he was brought up again he would be bound over to keep the peace. If they could not live comfortably together it would be better to separate. VBbeach of the Public House Ordinance;.—Joseph Brtmt, of the Mechanics' Hotel, was charged with permitting prostitutes to congregate in his house, and fined j£s. His Worship also reprimanded him very severely, saying that if any more complaints were made he would call a meeting of Magistrates to see whether his license could not be taken from him. Breach of the 51heep Ordinance.— Messrs Belcher and Fairweather were charged on two informations with having driven sheep across Mr E. M. Tempter's run, without having given 24 hours' previous notice. Defendants pleaded ignorance of the law, aad were fined in the lowest amount of 6d per head — 25s — on the first information only. Assaults. — A. McCallum was charged with this offence, on the information of J. Simmonds, but complainant having commenced the altercation leading to the assault the case was dismissed. W. S. Iyens appeared in answer to a similar charge, preferred against him by J. Shand, and, conclusive evidence being given, was fined 30s and costs.