CHRISTCHURCH

Star (Christchurch), Issue 490, 23 December 1869, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH

This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Child Desdrtion. — George Abbot on remand for this offencce, was again brought up, and having promised the Bench to pay the sum due to the Catholic Convent for the past keep of his children at the rate of 5 s per week, together with 10s per week for their future maintenance at the Convent, he was discharged with a reprimand for hisppaat odnduct. t ' Damaging City Property. — George White was summoned on two informations for having ridden across and damaged the wire on the suspension foot-bridge in Antigua street. Both offences were admitted, and Mr Cuff, city surveyor, proved the extent of the damage, and added that riding a horse over a bridge of such sight make was extremely dangerous to both horse and man. Accused, in defence, pleaded that he was not aware the bridge was not for horsemen until he had got on to it. when he would have turned back if possible. A fine of 10s was imposed. Illegal Cattle Driving. — William John Dyer admitted having driven a cow through the city during prohibited hours. Ignorance of the by-law was pleaded in defence. Accused stated that he bad been told by a professional cattle driver that he could lead the cow if he put a rope around its neck ; he did so, and did not drive it loose at all. His Worship considered the case more the result of a mistake than anything else, and dismissed it. Robert Swan w.ts summoned for offending in a similar manner, with three horses. Ignorance of the by-law was again pleaded, accused further stating that the horses had escaped from his paddock, and he was merely driving them back again to prevent them being impounded. His Worship said even taking accused's statement, he bad offended against the City by-laws, and he must be fined 10s. Thomas Harrop was also summoned' for having driven two horses in Oxford Terrace during prohibited hours. Mr Hadneid, in whose employ accused is, pleaded that the horses had part of their harness on — the blinkers — and although having a large number of horses, it was the first time he had offended in such a way against the by-laws. In answer to the Bench the informing constable said that the horses appeared to be coining from work. His Worship remarked that it was a very extreme cisc to come within the meaning of the Act, blinkers not being harness, as expressed by its provisions. The Act clearly said bullocks in yoke, or horses in harness, which could not bat mean attached to a vehicle. It might be very dangerous for cattle and horses to be driven about in any other way, but he would dismiss the present case because he believed the horses to have been returning from work. Accused and others must, however, be more careful in future. Edward Sullivan admitted having driven seven horses through Colombo street during prohibited hours. The same plea entered by Swan was raised, but a fine of 10s was inflicted. Cattle Trespass. — The following persons were fined for infringing the provisions of the Cattle Trespass Ordinance : — Malcolm Duncan, one horse at large in Peterborough street, 5s ; Joseph Palmer, two horses at large in Latimer square, 5s ; John Carr, one cow at large in Cashel street, 5s ; Thomas Collier, one ass at large in Armagh street, 5s ; Wm. McJerrow, four head of cattle grazing on a public road in the Templeton district, 10s ; George Kerriaon, five head of cattle at large in the same district, 10s ; John Harding, four head of cattle also at large in the Templeton district, 10s ; Alex. Merritt, one horse at large in < 'olombo Road south, 5s ; W. H. Philips, one horse at large in the Spreydon district, 5s ; John Tobin, one cow at large in the Lincoln district, 5s ; Kobert Saville, one cow at large in the Kiccarton district, ss ; James Kilburn, three head of cattle at large in the Spreydon district, 10s ; William Styche, two head at large in the same district, 5 i ; Wm. Smallwood, one horse at large in the same district, ss ; Hichard Bolton, fifty sheep at large in the Templeton district, 20s ; Charles Jeff, one bull and six cows at large in the Spreydon district, 20s ; John Wright, six head of cattle at large in the same district, 10s ; John Bennett, one bnll at large in the Templeton district, 10s ; Thomas Green, twentythree head of cattle at large in the Heathcote district, and on a second information, thirty head of cattle similarly "offending, 20s ; Edmund Palmer, five calves at large in the same district, 10s ; Wm. Johnstone, five head of cattle at large in the Templeton district, 10s. A Negligent Driver. — William Thome was fined 10s for permitting his licensed horse and cart to stand in front of Barnard's Repository, the same not being a public stand. Hobse Breaking. — John Beecher was charged with having broken in a horse in Armagh and Colombo streets. Constable Eares proved that it was a young anima 1 , and harnessed in a break. It frequently reared and kicked about, accused driving up and down the streets for a long time. Accused, in defence, pleaded that the horse was harnessed with his old break horse, and could not possibly cause any serious public annoyance. Horse breaking waß part of his livelii hood, and he must do it somewhere whilst he

certainly could not take horses oat of the city for breaking. He had broken horses in precisely the same manner in Melbourne and London without being interferred with. His Worship said he was disposed to allow all the license lie possibly could in such matters, but the public safety must not be interfered with. He would like time to consider the case, and would adjourned it until next week. An Old Offender. — Robert Falloon, on three separate informations, was charged respectively with having carried one passenger in excess of the number for which his stage carriage is licensed ; with having permitted oue passenger to ride on the step of his vehicle, and with having carried two passengers in excess of his licensed number. The offences were proved by Constable Conway and Mr Simmonds, a rival 'bus driver. Accused denied having carried two in excess of his number, but admitted carrying one, pleading, however, that this was allowed by the city bylaws ; he also averred that the man on the step wa3 in his employ. His Worship said there was nothing in the byHaws allowing a stage carriage driver to carry one in excess of his licensed number, and accused, whom he was sorry to see could not keep within the provisions of the regulations under which he was placed, would be fined 10s on each of the informations for carrying passengers in excess of his number, but the carrying a man on the step of his vehicle having occurred at the same time as one of the other offences, it would be digmissed. Publicans. — George Ticknor, lfolaer of a wine and beer license on the Lincoln Road, admitted having failed to keep a light burning on the exterior of his premises on a certain night, but pleaded, in defence, that he was not aware such a proceeding was necessary with such a license as huH A fine of 10s was imposed. Phillip Marttff, of the Black Horse Inn, and James Feather, both of Lincoln Road, were also fined 10s for the same offence.