Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 329, 3 June 1869, Page 3

Magisterial.

«o CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., KM.) Drunkenness. — Annie Driacoll, an old offender, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment at hard labour, for having been drunk and disorderly yesterday. Kichard Sydney Williams, who was charged a few days ngo with larceny of a helmet, but was discharged, and fined for drunkenness insteud, was brought up for baring been drunk and riotom in the Mechanics' Hotel yesterday. Mr Brunt proved the offence, and prisoner promised, if allowed to go, that he would leave the place at once. His Worship said lie could not look over the offence, os prisoner was clearly a professional loafer. He would be fined 40a, or, in default, 96 hours' imprisonment, and if again brought up, would be treated as a vagrant. Cahle Trespass — Edward Read, for allowing two cows to wander at large in Madras street, was lined ss. Thos. Whitta, for a horse similarly at large on the I own belt south, was fi led 53. Unregistered Dogs. — John Sandford was charged with having un unregistered dog in his possession. In defence, accused said the dog was net his property, and that he had been told by the owner that it was properly registered. He believed this was done since the information had been laid. His Worship imposed a line of 20s, saying that the dog being in the possession of accused, hs wus responsible for it. Fdbious Driving. — Kobert Falloon, the proprietor of a 'bus running to and from the Railway Station, was charged with furious driving on his prescribed beat. Constable Eares proved the offence, which accused denied, and having a witness whom he was unable to call that morning on account of being away with the mail, his Worship adjourned the case until the following day. X Obstructing a Public Thoroughfare. —Joseph Culliford was charged with obstructing the footpath in Cashel street, by suspending over it a quantity of meatTj Cmstable Kennedy proved the offence, and to accused not removing the meat when caution ed.V Accused caid the meat was not low enough for any one to come in contact with when pass ing; but his Worship replied that it sl.onld not be suspended over the footpath at all, and although he should dismiss the case, such an offence would not again he passed over without a flneT*\ 11. W. Stoddart was summorieu for obstructing a public footpath, by leaving a perambulator standing thereton. The informing constable said he had cautioned accused, to remove it, but instead of doing so he used very abusive language. The perambulator Was there folly a quarter of arc hour.

Accused denied this, and said he had only placed the perambulator in readiness ' for taking his children out, and it was not there above a minute or two. He thought the police were far to officious insummoming him for such a trifling matter. Uis Worship said they were quite justified in their conduct, but as this was the first offence of tke kind, he would dismiss it with a caution not to offend ngain. Damaging Pobmc Property. — Hardhatn Blower wns summoned, on the information of Sergeant Jeffrey, with damaging; a public footpath, by backing axamst it with a loaded dray, and breaking a considerable portion away into tbß side channel. Accused said he was not aw ire that he was doing wrong, and had since repaired the damurje. His Worship, in consideration of this, dismissed the case, but would like it be understood that the offence was punishable by a fine. Dangkrous Practices. — Robt. Pengelly, a bny about nine years of age, was charged with having discharged firearm), in the form of a small cannon, in High street. Inspector Pender said there had been many complaints against the use of fireworks in the sireets, and this was the only means for putting » s!o;> to it. His Worship said, this being the firsc ca*.2, he would dismiss it, but the practice was a very daugerms one, and, if conlinued, offenders would be severely dealt with, Battle Trespass oy tub Railway. — John Sand ford, for fiurmitting a co«" to wander on to the Railway lines, was fined 10s. lie pleaded, in defence, that the railway fence was open, and it was by this means the cattle 9trayed on to the lines. He had applied several times to the Government without avail, and h« wished to know what he could do. His Worship said accused was responsible for offences by his cattle, and if he sufferel from the negligence of the Government, his remeiy was in an action against them. Abusive Language — Hubert Heron was summoned for having used abusive and threatening language to Thomas Heminga, at Barnard's Kepository. The case was proved by complainant and a witness. Accused admitted the offence, and pleaded injustice by complainant in respect to some land as the causa of his conduct. His Worship said there was a proper remedy for anj rtliing of this kini, without resorting to abuse, and a fine of 20s and costs would be imposed. Assaults. — The adjourned chargo against Tlioa. Bryan by his wife, for aasuilting a girl entrusted to her care, wa3 withdrawn by the consent of his Worship, complainant saying that she intended to give up the children, who were the sole cause of dissension in the family. — William Htreeter nnd Alexander Snell w ( -re charged by Joseph Halliday with assaulting him on the Lincoln road. Mr Garrick appeared for complainant, whose evidence went to show that, whilst driving his threshing machine home, the accused came up and commenced shouting and gesticulating, whereby the horses became restive and unmanageable. He requested them to desist, when Snell came up to him, and struck him violently on the head. He at once retaliated, when Streeter seized him, knocked him down, and they both ill-used him. A witness in the employ of complainant gave corroborative evidence" of the first portion of the disturbance, but did not see the latter. He had to go away, and when he returned, Snell was in the act of putting his shirt on. Neither complainant nor Streeter had any of their apparel off. In defence, Snell said complainant had challenged him to fight more than once previous to this occasion, and he went up to him to ask him if he was ready to do so, when complainant struck him with his whip. Accused then seized him, and in the struggle complainant caught him by the ear with his teeth, almost biting the tip of it off. He had to go to the doctor and get it sown up again. The accused Streeter corrobornted tlii*, and said it was when compluinant seized Snell's ear, that he pulled him away, but did not knock him down or strike him in any way. His Worship said that whatever led to the disturbance, or was the result of it, Snell had c'early originated it, and he would be fined 20s and costs. The charge aguinst Streeter was not so clear, and he would be dismissed. — Clara Vickery was charged with having assaulted a man named Cain, at Holleston. There was a cross action for the same occasion, and the details of both were of the most trivial character, the whole evidently arising from a neighbour's quarrel. Both cases were dismissed with suitable cautions. Illegal Rescuh of Cattle. — Eliza Mcllroy admitted having rescued a cow from Mary Mcßratney, whilst being conveyed to the Papanui Pound, but pleaded that she was not aware of the illegality of the act, A fioo of 20s was imposed.