Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 613, 10 May 1870, Page 2

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Dat. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M , and G. Packe, Esq.) Drunkenness — Walter Baker appeared for the first time on a charge of having been drunk and incapable in a public thoroughfare yesterday, and on expressing his contrition for the offence, was dismissed with a caution. — Michael Howard was brought up, charged with having been drunk and conducting himself in an indecent manner near the Bank of New Zealand yesterday. The offence was proved, and the prisoner was fined 40s. — John Hogan, in custody, was charged with having been drunk at the Criterion Hotel yesterday, and resisting the police in the execution of their duty. There was also a second charge of having stolen a tumbler from the bar of the hotel. Detective Feast stated that prisoner was drunk, and asking people to shout for him. He was very noisy, and witness cautioned him, upon which he turned round and abused witness in a violent manner. Witness went away, but returned again shortly afterwards, aud found prisoner still conducting himself in a disorderly manner. Immsdiately that he saw witness he Hgain turned upon him, abused him, and persisted in following him about in a very annoying way. Witness then arrested him and he went along quietly until near the Depot, when he began to struggle, seizing witness by the throat, and he had to be thrown down and handcuffed by witness beferehe could be taken to the lock-up. On searching prisoner, witness found the glass tumbler produced inside prisoner's jumper, and it had since been claimed by the barman at the Criterion Hotel. During the time prisoner was at the hotel he was apparently in company with a man named W. Crawley, alias " Cockney Bill." who had several times been before the Court for robbing drunken men. The barman at the hotel, Thooias Smith, gave evidence in proof of prisoner's conduct at the hotel ; and a boy, named Thomas Milne, deposed to seeing prisoner take the glass from the bar. In defence, prisoner did not deny the drunkenness, but pleaded that he had no intention of committing theft, and that he must have taken the glass without knowing fully what he was about. His Worship, after some consideration, said he would take this view, and dismiss the charge of theft, but prisoner would be fined 20s for his drunken conduct, or be imprisoned for forty six hours.