Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 553, 26 February 1870, Page 2

Magisterial.

CHEISTCHURCH. This Dat. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., E.M.) Drunkenness.— William Henr7 Smart, in custody, admitted having been drunk and incapable last night. Being his third appearance within six months, he was fined 40s, or in default, one week's imprisonment ; a caution also being administered, to the effect that if he were brought before the Bench again, a long term of imprisonment would be imposed upon him. — Clara Stone also admited having been drunk and incapable last night, but being her first appearance, and having Leen locked up during the night, she was dismissed with a severe caution. TToroeby and Uttering. — William Pacey, alias J. B. Berrings, on remand, was again brought up, charged with having forged and uttered a cheque on the Bank of Australasia for £4 3s 4d, At the firat hearing, it was shown that prisoner, early in January last, had purchased a pair of boots at the shop of Mr Triggs, High street, and given the cheque in payment for them. The prisoner wag distinctly sworn to by Mr Triggs, and the boots he had on when arrested were also identified as those he purchased with the cheque. Mr Trigge, now furt tr examined, said the cheque produced was the one he received from the prisoner. It purports to be drawn by W. H. Murray in favour of J. B. Berrings. The prisoner endorsed it with the latter name. William Arthur Murray, son of John Murray, farmer, Xincoln Road, said prisoner was in his father's employ from June to September in last year. During that time he had opportunities of seeing signatures on cheques given by witness' mother. Witness had two brothers who have farms of their own. The initials of their Christian names are J. G. and S. G. The signature on the cheque was not in witness' handwriting, nor in that of his father, mother, or brothers. Witness had seen prisoner's handwriting, and, to the best of the witness' beJief, the signature on the cheque produced was in prisoner's writing. Witness did not know of any other person of the name of Murray in their district but bis own family. John Henry Toller, ledger-keeper at the Bank of Australasia, said the cheque produced was presented at the bank for payment, but was refused, .there being no account to the name with which it is signed. The prisoner declined to make any statement in defence, and was committed to take his trial at the next session of the Supreme Court. .