Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 152, 6 November 1868, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before C. C Bowen, Esq , R.M., and L. Walker, Esq.) House ov 111 Fame — Martha Jones, alias Brown, on remand from yesterday, was brought up in custody, charged with keeping a house in Kilmore street, frequented by persons having no visible means of livelihood. His Worship severely reprimanded her for her disorderly conduct in Court y sterday. He had been compelled to lock her up in consequence of it, and hoped she would behave better that morning. Evidence was then given by three members of the poli c force and two neighbours, irom which it appeared that the house occupied by prisoner wan frequeued by prostitutes of the worst description, and that there were frequent rows in it. Mia had previously rented a houso in Durham street which had a similarly bad name, and in botn instances she hud abused and insulted the neighbours. Prisoner denied the distur b'incis, or having in any way abused her neighbours. In supp rt of this uhe called Mrs Kitchen, who said ihe house occupied hy prisoner had always borne a very ba ■• name until fire or six weeks ago, when p-isoaer took it. bince then it had been very quiet, and she had not he rd ny disturbances. By Sergt. Pardy : She washed for prisoner and those residing with her. Prisoner said, in defence, that she had rot created any disturbances, but if set at liberty would leave the place as spow as she could dispose'of her goods. In answer to further questions from the Bench, Sergt. Pardy and Uetectiva Fe s suid prisoner i ad been following her present mode of livelihood for about fourteen months, and frequent complaints hud been made against her whilst living in Durham street His Worship 3aid the case was an exceedingly bad one, and he wan determined to absolutely break up the gang to which prisoner had belonged, and which had bt*en such a source of dis urhance to the public. Whilst quiet they wou d not be disturbed, but rowdyism could not he tolerate'!. Prisoner would be committed to three months' imprisonment. Vagrancy. — Patrick Gill was brought np in custody, charged with a breach of the Vagrant Act. Constable O'Conor said Rhorily after seven o'clock last ni#ht he wsts sent for to the houae of the I lean, where he found prisoner, and b.-ing informed that' Inhad applied for alms, and refused to leave thtpremiaes when ordered, he took him into custody. A female servant at the I'ennV ! suid the amount prisoner asked for was ;i ! shilling. F. Thompson stated that on th: 1 25 th ult. prisoner stopped him at tincorner of Worcester and Manchester streets, and after telling him a long tale about sorue property he was being kept out <>f by his relations, asked for something to proem* food as he waa starving. Witness gave '.im a shilling, and prisoner was not drunk. The j s<ev T. K. Fisher said prisoner accosted him on the South Town Belt on unday morning last and asked for assistance, as he had hi en comp lied to sleep out of doors and wns starving. Witness gave him a shilling Detective Feawt said prisoner had been loafing about the city, and sleeping in hotel stables for come time ;>HBt. Prisoner denied having applied to any one for money, und made a r-tmbliug statement of having endeavoured to go to the North Island. Ihe Bench did not a cept this in extenuation, and his Worship remarked that he knew prisoner could work well enough, if he had a mind to do so, but tbe truth was, he was always drinking. He had not, however, been up for some time past, and he would only be committed for 48 hours. He must, however, leave the city immediately on being released, or he would be again arrested.

Erratum. —In yesterday's report jof assault cases, Wm. Wall should have been placed as complainant instead of defendant.