Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 371, 22 July 1869, Page 3

Magisterial.

«. CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Indecent Conduct — Geo. Hughes, on the evidence of Constable Wallace, was fined 20s, for exposing his person in a public thoroughfare. * Drunkenness. — Henry Holloway,*on bail, was charged with having been drunk and disorderly in a public thoroughfare yesterday. Constable Thompson proved the offence, but being accused's first appearance before the Bench, the nominal penalty of 5s only was inflicted. Hiotous Conduct and Obscene Language. — Martha Jones and Mary Holmes, two prostitutes and old offenders, were jointly charged with fighting in Gloucester street last night, and tbe former with being drunk. From the evidence of Constables Thompson and O'Connor, it appeared that, in addition to the disturbance, both prisoners used most violent and indecent language. The prisoner Holmes denied having been either noisy or quarrelsome, hut a witness, who was evidently disinclined to give crimi . nating evidence, admitted that she saw the two prisoners pulling each other about, and his Worship remarking upon the number of times each had been before the Court — Holmes five during the present year, and Jones eight — sentenced them both to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Breach of tue Ordinance. — — Johns, North Road, was summoned on the information of the Sheep Inspector, for having a number of sheep in his possession not branded with a registered brand, as r. quired by the Act. Accused admitted the offence, but pleaded that he was a " new chum," and did not know the provisions of the law. He had branded them with his cuttle brand, but it was not a registered one. The inspector, in reply, proved that he had cautioned accused some months previous to laying the information, although not telling him at the time that he was an inspector of sheep. His Worship censured accused for not attending to the caution given to him, and pointed out the heavy penalty to which he had rendered himself liable. The inspector said he did not wish to press for a heavy penalty ; and his Worship, in consideration of accused's statement, only inflicted a fine of 20s. Cattle T*BsrAss. — The following fines were inflicted for breaches of the Cattle Treepass Ordinance : — William Pole, one horse at large in Cathedral square, ss ; Henry Sharpies, one horse at large in Cambridge terrace, Ss ; John Hannon, one cow at large on the North town belt, ss; George Cresswell, one horse at large in High street, ss. Obstructing a Public Thoroughjarb.— Archibald Hammill was summoned for having obstructed the thoroughfare on the South town belt, hy leaving a cab standing thereon. The offence was not denied, but Inspector Pender stating that a number of cabmen had been allowed to stand their cabs on the spot mentioned in the information, until the road being recently formed, it could no longer be allowed, the case waß dismissed. Christopher .Dalwood was also further charged with! a similar offence in the same locality. The informing constable proved the offence, which was admitted, but personal absence from tlje city was pleaded in defence. . ftTHOuj Driving. — Walter Hartnell, who was charged last week with furious driving,

on the Ferry Road, but obtained a remand on the statement that he himself was not in charge of the 'bus at the time, and that the man had since left the city, was now discharged from furth r responsibility under the information, Inspector Pender stating he had reason to believe, from enquiries made during the week, that accused's statement was correct. Horse Breaking in the Streets. — Christopher Dalwood was charged with having broken in a horse in Cashel street ou Saturday, the 26th ult. Constable Wilson said he was on duty in Cashel street about five o'clock on the day named, and saw accused drive a horse ami cart out of Barnard's Repository, turn up Cashtl street towards the East town belt, and then return. Whilst doing the latter, tbe horse belted, injured a man who was standing near the White Hart Hotel very severely, and coming in contact with the corner of an adjacent building, was capsized. The accused did not deny the facts of the case, but pleaded that he was in the employ of Mr barnard, and failing to turn the horse in the Repository, merely took it into the street to do so. Uis Worship remarked severely upon trying horses in public thoroughfares, and saying he was determine-1 to put a stop to the practice, fined accused 20s. U- registered Dogs. — The following persons were fined for having unregistered dogs in the'r possession above the prescribed age of three months : — Joseph Denny, t«o informations, 40s ; Hugh Cavanagh, John Pigrem, and Alexander Johnston, one information respectively, 20s. Breach of the Cut By-Laws. — John Downie was summoned for having plied for hire with a licensed cart, without having his name and nun ber painted thereon. In defence, accused pleaded that the name was written on with chalk, and that hiving procured his license only a day or two before, he had not b-2en able to get the painting done. He was told that being written in chalk would suffice until he could get the board painted. . He called Mr Paton, painter, to prove having given an order for the p:iiuling directly after procuring his license ; and the Bench accepting this in extenuation of the offence, dismissed the case with a caution. — Jacob Parish was charged with having driven cattle through the city during prohibited hours. Accused admitted the breach of the Ordinance, but urged ignorance in excuse, and that it was only twenty-five minutes beyond the time allowed. A fine of Ss was imposed.