Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 577, 26 March 1870, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before R. J. S. Harman, C. R. Blakiston, and A. Back, Esqrs.) Disorderly Character. — Jamea Joyce, in custody, was charged with having obstructed the station-master at the Christchurch Railway Station yesterday, and assaulting the police whilst in the execution of their duty. Both charges were proved, ahd a fine of 40s, or, in default, 96 hours' imprisonment, was imposed. Drunkenness. — Mary Holmes, for having been drunk and using obscene language in a public thoroughfare, yesterday, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour. License. — The license of the Borough Hotel was transferred from Harriet Hart to William Preston. Publicans' I icenses.— We are desired to remind those who intend applying for publican's licenses at the annual meeting of justices, that the time for so doing expires on Saturday, the 2nd of April.

In " Lives of Eminent Sergeants-at-Law," just published, the author relates Serjeant Whitaker's moie of solacing himself for his wife's absence from a bed which he occupied whilst travelling the Norfolk Circuit. " A friend," says the author, *' at one of the assize towns offered him a bed. The next morning the lady of tbe house asked how he had slept, and hoped that he found himself comfortable and warm. ( Yes, madam, yes • pretty well on the whole. At flrst, to be sure, I felt a little queer, for want of Mrs Whitaker, but, recollecting that my portmanteau lay in the room, I threw it behind my back, and it did every bit as well.' " An attorney once came into court drunk, when the judge said to him : — " Sir,— l am sorry to see you in a situation which is a disgrace to yourself and family, the court, and profession to which you belong." — Thia remark issued in the followi-g colloquy.—" Did

your Honor speak t<*;ine 2"-— *' l did, sir! I said, sir, that in my -opinion you disgrace yourself and "family^the court, nnd the profession by your course of conduct." May i-i-U please your Honor, I have been an attorney irirjn this c-court for fi-f-teen years, and, permit me to say, your Honor, that this is the first correct opinion I ever* knew you to g-give."