Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 292, 21 April 1869, Page 2

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHUKCBT. This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., TS.M.) Drunkenness. — Peter Patterson admitted having beeu drunk and incapable last night. Being his first appearance, and having been locked up during the night, he was only ordered to pay the expense incurred in taking him to the lock-up in a cab, and suitably cautioned.Breaches of the Police Ordinance. — W. was charged with having aided in a breach of the peace, on the 2nd instant. Two witnesses, who were called, said, on the day named two prostitutes were fighting at a house near the junction of Kilmore and Peterborough streets, and that accused was standing by, evidently urging them on. Accused denied this, and stated that he was trying in every way to part them. If the Bench would adjourn the caae, he would call the women to prove it; but the witnesses, being re-examined, said they did not see accused attempt any conciliatory measures whatever; -and his Worship therefore refused to adjourn the case as, from the previous one against the women, it was wa3 evident they were drunk at the time of the row. Accused would be fined 20s and costs. Collier appeared in answer to a charge of having thrown a quantity of bottles and broken glass over Victoria Bridge on the sth iust., into the Avon. Mr S. O. Farr said: At 7 o'clock on the morning of the day named he saw accused walk ou to the bridge, with a basket on his shoulder, and empty some dozen or more bottles into the stream, just at the point where horses are taken to water. Accused denied having thrown any broken bottles into the water, but said he always corked them so that they would float awaj\ His Worship said he could not understand any man in his sane senses being guilty of such conduct, and great credit was due to Mr Farr for making the. matter public. Nothing was more dangerous to horses than glass, and had one been been injured in the place where accused had thrown the bottles, it would have gone very hard with him in a- civil action. He would be fined 20s. Alexander Clephane was charged with obstructing a public thoroughfare, by leaving a hand-cart thereon all night, and was fined 10s. Cattle Trespass.— Wm. Prudhoe appeared in answer to a charge of allowing a horse to wander fit large in Cranmer square. Evidence was given that the animal had kicked ft boy, but not being conclusive, his Worship adjourned the case for further particulars. , i Breach of the FooirATii Ordinance. — Jacob Schwartz, for grazing a horse on a public footpath, was fined ss. Assault. — D. M'Guinriess was summoned for having violently assaulted Michael Gilmore, but complainant, on appearing in court, requested permission to withdraw the information. His Worship said he did not approve of tuch proceedings, and questioned complainant as to whether he had been induced to change his mind by pecuniary consideration. He replied in, the negative, and his Worship remarking that he did not appear to have been much .. injured, dismissed the case, but'cautioned him to be more careful in laying such informations in future. 1 :■ LARCENY.-~Alexander E. Waddle, ' (m remand, was charged wjtlr larceny as a bailee, by'wrofcgfully appropriating 500 bushels /of* i oatfe, belonging^ under agreement, to Mr W.

li. Lane.: Mr Garrick supported the charge, *nd MrWynn Williams defended. From the evidence, it appeared that prosecutor let ac-•-used have 250 bushels of seed oats, for sowing, on the understanding that he was to receive 500 bushels in return for them at harvest time. Instead of delivering them, however, he had sold them elsewhere, and subsequently filed his ieclaration of insolvency. Mr Williams contended that, however improper accused's conduct had been, he was not a bailee within the meaning of the law ; and, after a lengthened argument between the counsel, his Worship said he was of the same opinion, and dismissed the case.