Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 704, 25 August 1870, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., and Dr Christie.) Violent Assault. — Charles Comer was summoned for having violently assaulted Elizabeth Crooks. It appeared in evidence that accused had seized hold of complainant in a somewhat violent manner; but the latter admitting that she bad first struck bim with a^spade, the case was dismissed on payment of costs, his Worship remarking tbat the best thing for a man ta do with an angry woman was to gee out of her way. Larceny. — Margaret Downey was brought up in custody charged with having stolen a quantity of wearing apparel, the property of Mr L. E. Nathan, St. Asaph street. S.rgeant Pratt said a report was made at the Depot on Tuesday last tbat a quantity of clothes bad been stolen from Mr Nathan's clothes-line, and acting upon it he went to prisoner's house yesterday, which is about 200 yards distant from prosecutor's. When he went in he found the children's frock, two flannel petticoats, and skirt (produced) lying on the bed. He told prisoner some clothes had been stolen from Mr Nathan's, and that he believed those he saw to be them. In reply she said the frock was given to her by Mrs Hoare, and that the two petticoats were her own— the only ones she had got. He then asked her to go to Mrs Nathan's with him, ard she did so. Mrs Nathan at once identified the frock, and the servant girl identified the petticoats. He then took prisoner into custody, charging her in the usual manner. He then again returned to prisoner's house, accompanied by Mrs Nathan's servant, who pointed out two petticoats, one night-dress, two table-cloths, one counterpane, and children's clothes (produced), as having been stolen from Mr Nathan's clothes line. Some of them are marked " L. E. Nathan," and he consequently brought the articles away with him. Emma Gay, servant at Mr Nathan's, said the clothes were put out to dry on a line near the house about four o'clock on Monday afternoon. Next morning, at half-past seven, they were gone. Witness enumerated the articles, and corroborated Sergeant Pratt's evidence respecting the visit to prisoner's house, also identifying the articles produced as those put out to dry on the Monday. A small flannel jacket had also been missed from the clothes line on the Monday previous. The one produced was the same. She had not the slightest doubt as to the idea tity of the articles. Tbey were worth about £5. L. E. Nathan said he resided in St. Asaph street, and that several complaints had been made to him of clothes stolen from his clothes line. He did not know 1 prisoner, and she had no authority ■whatever to take anything belonging to him, or to go on to his premises at all. The prisoner, who had refrained from questioning the witnesses, declined' to aay anything in defence. His Worship said he must convict heir of the offence, but before passing sentence would like to hear something relative to her previous character. . Inspector . Pender said Eer husband had been in the Lunatic Asylum for some time, and ng to no w prisoner had borne averj good character amongst her neighbours. She had suffered a great deal from the condition of her husband, and bad worked hard' to maintain herself and child. Mr Nathan said, under these circumstances, and what be himself had learnt of prisoner's condition, be would ask the Bench to deal as leniently as possible with her. He thought the witness Gay had somewhat over-estimated tbe value of the clothing, and he hoped the Bench would take these matters into joint consideration. His Worship said the Bench would make, allowance for this, but they could not look over the offence altogether. He was sorry to see prisoner in such a position, and as a light sentence was likely to have as much effect upon a first offender as a long sentence would upon an old hand, prisoner would only be sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with hard labour. A Promising Commencement. — Alfred Edwards, alias Drain, was charged with having stolen sundry turkeys, a set of harness, &c, from , the premises of Mr W. Wilson. Detective Feast said he arrested prisoner in Lyttelton about 3 p.m. yesterday, and told him he was charged with having stolen some turkeys and harness from Mr W.Wilson. Prisoner at first denied it, but afterwards said he did not want to give any more trouble than he could help, and admitted that he had stolen two turkeys about three weeks ago, which he had sold— -one to Mr Stoddart, and the other to a boardinghouse keeper named Fitzgerald. He also said h^ahad stolen the harness and brushes, which he had sold to Mr Clark, a general dealer in -Colombo street;; also^ further, that he had taken two other turkeys, which he sold to Mr Stoddart on Monday morning last. Witness took possession of the two turkeys produced at "Mr Stoddart's, and the' harness and brushes, also produced, at Mr Clark's. W. Wilson said he , resided just outside the South- town belt, and the prisoner had resided with him,' as general servant, about seven days. . He left about a fortnight ago. About two days after he left, two turkeys were missed,' and on Tuesday;, morning last two more were gone, together with a Eet of barness, and two brushes. The turkeys generally roosted in the open paddock, and the harness was kept in a, coach house close to. He had no difficulty in identifying the turkeys, harness, end rbrujhegr produced as his property; the turkeys' -; being! much better than ordinary, were worth about 8b each. If any one bought them at 3s 6d a pair, they would he giving a very low sum indeed. William Wright, in the employ of prosecutor, also identified the articles produced, but said the harness bad been slightly altered. R. W. Stoddart, watch-maker, Colombo street, said the prisoner was. a shipmate 'of hia brother. About a fortnight ago be came to witness' itith two turkeys for sale. Witness brother bought one of them for three shillings. On Tuesday last prisoner called again with two

'■--'" other turke/aT He said he had bought them at Preece's sale. Witness bought them for 3s 6d tbe pair, remarking that he did not Want them, and that prisoner would never ■ do any good for himself selling them so cheap. To this prisoner replied tbat he i wanted to get away to Wellington. Julia [ Clark said her husband was a general dealer > in Colombo street. Last Friday week pri- ; soner brought the harness produced to the shop, and she gave him 10s for it. The week previous to that she had bought the brushes produced from prisoner for 3s. ; Prisoner sa*d he had nothing to say in defence, except that he was very sorry for what he had done. In reply to the i Bench, Inspector Pender said prisoner arrived recently by the ship Ceres, and had been a supernumerary at the Th'atre for some time. Mr Wilson, also in reply to the Bench, said the first day prisoner was in his employment he was detected in a number of gross falsehoods, and seven days' notice to leave were at once given him. His Worship, addressing prisoner, said his offence was more than ordinarily serious. Not only had he abused the trust of his employer, but he had committed his thefts in a most systematic manner. He bad thrown away a good opportunity for making a successful start in the colony. He would be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. The prisoner did not appear to be more than about 18 years of age, and, in answer to his Worship, said when in England he was engaged in horse-dealing. Carrying too many Passengers.— John McVickers was charged with having carried four passengers in his hansom cab, the Bame being one in excess of his licensed number. Constable Eares proved the offence, adding that two of the passengers were prostitutes. A fine of 10s was imposed. Cattle Trespass Ordinance. — The following persons were charged with breaches of this Ordinance within the city : —William Valentine, one goat tethered in St Asaph Btreet, and one goat tethered on unfenced land abutting upon the East town belt, fined ss ; W. Burke, one horse at large in Cathedral square, on three separate occasions, fined fis for each offence; John Love, one cow tethered on unfenced land abutting upon Tuam street, was dismissed with a caution, his Worship saying he had been given to understand that the by-law referring to tethering cattle on unfenced land was not generally known, but stating that in future it would be strictly enforced; William Unwin, James Peacock, William MoDougall, Henry Hale, James Whelan, Henry Wright, William Templeton, Charles Truckle, and James Dearsley for cattle offending in a similar manner, were also dismissed on the same grounds ; WilUam Steer, for three head of cattle tethered in Barbadoes street, was fined 10s ; John Connoly for two goats tethered in Oxford terrace, was fined 5s ; and James Simpson, for four horses at large in Kilmore street, was fined 10s. Unregistered Dogs. — The following persons were fined for having unregistered dogs ih their following : — Henry Piercy, 20s ; Henry Cox, two informations, 40s. A Runaway. — Frederick Jenkins was summoned for having wilfully remained at such a distance from his horse and buggy as not to have proper control over them. Constable M'Guire proved to seeing a horse galloping unattended through Barbadoes street, and to ultimately learning that it belonged to accused. A witness was called for the defence, and said that a man was holding the horse when it broke away. Something startled it, and in rearing up, it struck the man on the knee, whioh caused him to let go the rein. His Worship said the offence appeared to have resulted from an accident, and the case would therefore be dismissed. A Negligent Driver.— Joseph Lilly admitted having remained at such a distance from his horses and dray whilst in motion as not to have proper control over them, and was fined 10b. Selling Liquor during Prohibited Hours.— Matthew Henry Oram was summoned for having, on the 19 th inst., sold liquors, and suffered the same to be drunk on his premises during prohibited hours. Constable Wilson said, about 2 o'clock oh the morning of the day named, he visited the billiard-room of the Golden Fleece Hotel, and found aeveral persons collected there. A glass of beer was on a table and a glass of wine on the bar counter. A witness was called in support of the charge, and said that liquor was drunk in the room after 11 o'clock, but averred that it was not served by the marker. The person who had it helped himself. The bar was open, but the marker had refused to serve any liquors after eleven o'clock. In defence, accused called his billiard-marker, who said strict orders had been given to him not to serve any drinks after eleven o'clock at night, hut in cross-examination said he was in the room when the liquor was taken from the bar. His Worship said the case was clearly a breach of the Ordinance, and accused would be fined £5. — Robins was summoned for a similar offence. Constable Wilson said on Sunday morning, the 21st inst., he visited the Glasgow Arms Hotel, > about two o'clock, and found a number of men there with liquor on the table of the sitting-room. The bar waß also open. A witness proved to being one of the party in i the house, but said he had nothing to drink, neither had any of the other men. There was no liquor on the table when the constable entered. There were, two glasses on the table, but nothing in them. They had been on the table all the evening. There were no liquors of any kind served by accused after eleven o'clock. Accused was witness' brother-in-law, and he (witness) had an interest in the house. That was the reason ha was in the house so late. The strangers who were in the house had forced their way in contrary to accused's wishes. When the constable came into the hotel, a conversation ensued between the strangers and bim, the former making some ' remark to the effect: "You could not catch us." One of the party, whom accused ad- > mitted into the house, was oalled in evidence,

i but said that accused positively refused to • serve them with any . liquors. They had ; nothing whatever to drink, nor did they see ■ anyone else have any. In defence, aci cused said he and his brocher-in-law were i waiting up for Mr Innes — who wae really . the owner of the house, he (accused) being ■ merely manager — to make up some accounts, and when the knock was beard at the door he opened it, because he thought it was Mr Innes who had returned. He did not serve any liquors, and had always been most careful not to do so aftsr hours. Hia Worship said it was evident accused hid really refused to serve drink, and the case would therefore be : dismissed. He must, however, be most careful in respect to serving after 1 1 at night. Slaughter- house Licenses. — Slaughterhouse licenses were granted to the following persons: — James Gammack, section 3053, Springston ; G. H. Sharpe, section 227, Colombo street south ; H. C. E. Marchant, section 2852 Shand's Track ; Swords and Hanson, section 180, Riccarton ; W. G. Judge, section 323, Harewood Road ; Samuel Lindsay, Weeden's Hctel, Great South Road; Thomas Helmes, section 3035, Prebbleton ; Morris Milburn, section 31, Heathcote (for two montlis, and for sheep only) ; White Bros., Halswell.