magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 597, 21 April 1870, Page 3

magisterial.

-♦ CHRISTCHURCH. This Dj.t. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness. — James O'Brien was charged on the information, of Constable Wilson with having, been drunk and riotous at the Criterion Hotel. From the evidence of Mr Baylee and his barman, it would appear that the accused had conducted himself in a most violent manner, provoking another man to fight. Some glasses and a decanter were destroyed during the disturbance. Accused not denying his conduct, was fined 10s and costs. Vagrancy, — Alfred Montgomery, on remand from yesterday upon a charge of this nature, was again brought up. Nine previous convictions, all since 1868> were proved against him, idle and vagabond conduct being the predominating, features throughout, the last term of imprisonment he had undergone being twelve months as an incorrigible rogue and vagrant. His Worship severely commented upon, these, and sentenced prisoner to one year's imprisonment; at hard labour, adding, that he would speak to the gaoler to give him the most laborious work — for he evidently thought being in gaol was easier than earning his bread— and that if after this term had expired he was again brought before the Bench, he would be dealt with with greatly increased severity. Driving Sheep during Prohibited Hours.— Edward Mitchell admitted having driven a number of sheep through the streets of the city during prohibited hours, but pleaded in extenuation his ignorance of the by-law, which is one of the new ones recently adopted by the City Council.^ His Worship, on examining the by-laws, sai_ the old clause under which cases of this, kind were brought cartainly meant cattle in the strict interpretation of the word, but the new one included sheep and other such animals. As, therefore, it was possible defendant was not aware of the alteration, and thi3 being the first case under the new by-law, it would be dismissed. Unregistered Dog. — Thomas Pye was charged with being the owner of an unregistered dog, and was fined 20s. Brutal Conduct.— Thomas MeSheen was summoned for having violently ill-used a ' horse at the Selwyn Railway station on the ' Bth inst. Constable Eare3 proved to accused having repeatedly struck the horse, first with a heavy stick, and then with a piece of 4 x 2 timber, which he broke over its back. The horse was in a hole, and attached to a dray having at least a ton of coal upon. it. He ; struck the horse repeatedly over both legs, head, and back, and it subsequently took two horses and four men to get the cart out of the hole. The accused was perfectly sober at^ the time. Another witness corroborated this evidence. In defence, accused pleaded that the horse had jibbed several times on the way down from the Rakaia, and he was ;in a great passion at the time he ill-used the animal — not knowing, in fact> what he was doing. His Worship reprimanded accused most severely, characterising his conduct as brutal in the extreme, and stating that he could not understand how a man in his senses could use a horse in such a manner as the accused had done. It was certain that he would never have anything but jibbing horses if he so conducted himself towards them. The Bench must protect animals from such brutality, and were it not that accused had been put to considerable expense in coming down from the Selwyn, a most severe penalty would be imposed. As it was, he would be fined 20s, and ordered to pay all witnesses' expenses. Drunkenness and Riotous Conduct. — Patrick Ford was charged on two separate informations, supported by the evidence of Constable Eares, with having been drunk aud disorderly at the Selwyn Railway station. In defence, he called a witness, who partly contradicted the evidence of the constable, and averring that he could produce other witnesses to rebut the evidence against him, requested an adjournment of the case in order to do so. His own statement of his conduct on the two days referred to by the constable flatly contradicted the evidence of the latter; and his Worship stating that he would like to arrive at the truth of the matter, adjourned the case until Saturday next, so that additional evidence might be produced on both sides. Inspector Pender said several witnesses could be found to support the evidence of the constable.