Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 723, 16 September 1870, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, Sept. 15. <Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., and J. E. Graham, Eaq.) Slaughtering Licenses. — Licenses were granted as follows :— H. F. Grey, Avonhead; •Garforth and Lee, Addington ; D. Cant, Riccarton ; W. Hawker, Heathcote ; T. Hancock, Lincoln Road. Assault. — Hugh O'Neil was charged with baying violently assaulted his wife. The case was proved by complainant, but appearing to toa the result of drinking, the case was dismissed on accused promising to sign the pledge. Abusive Language. — Mary Ann Hadfield was summoned for having used language towards Charles Brown, her brother, calculated to • cause a breach of tbe peace. The particulars were of a very trivial character, and the case was dismissed. Offending 'Bus Drivers. — William Simmonds and Robert Fai loon, licensed 'bus drivers, were summoned for having plied for hire at the junction of Cashel and High streets, the Bame not being a public stand. After hearing evidence, his Worship said the information ought to have been laid for obstructing a public thoroughfare, and dismissed the case. Runaway Hobbs and Trap. — Walter Hartaell was charged with having remained at such a distance from bis horse and licensed t>us, aa not to bave proper control over tbem. It appearing, however, that the horse and vehicle were in his own yard and accidentally got away, the case was dismissed. Furious Driving. — William Beechey was charged, on the evidence of Constable Conway, witb having driven his licensed cab on the Town belt towards tbe Railway Station to catch a train at such a rate as to endanger i the lives of passers by. The constable said tbat there were not many people about at the time. His Worship said, considering the immediate cause of the rapid driving, and that the belt waß a wide thoroughfare, be would dismiss the case with a caution not to repeat the offence. Cattle Trespass. — Samuel Dowdall was charged with having permitted a horse to wander at large in Lichfield street. In defence, accused pleaded that the tether rope bud been maliciously cut and tbe horse let out of the paddock. Inspector Pender said the police bad reason to believe tbis was correct, and the case was therefore dismissed. •—John Hicks waa charged with a similar offence, but producing evidence tbat tbe horse was not his property, the case was dismissed. — Alex. McKay, for one horse at large in a public thoroughfare was fined five shillings. Absent Cabmen. — Thomas McKay was summoned for having absented himself for fifteen minutes from his licensed cab whilst plying for hire. Constable Wilson proved the offence and tbat accused was inside a brothel all tbe time. Accused denied the length of time, but having no evidence, was -fined 10s. John Goodyear and Michael Hamilton were charged with similar offences whilst plying for hire in front of Mill's hotel. -Constable Wilson proved both cases. In defence, it was pleaded that the cabs we. drawn up into the stable yard of tbe hotel. Inspector Pender eaid it was not a yard but a public right of-way between the hotel and the Foresters' Hall. Both the accused pleaded that tbey were not aware of this. Bis Worship said as there seemed to be some doubt as to the thoroughfare, be would dismiss tbe case, but more caution must be exercised in future. Drunkenness. — Michael Menzies was brought up in custody, charged with having been drunk and challenging people to fight, in the Criterion Hotel, yesterday ; also, with subsequently using obscene language in the street, and assaulting tbe police whilst being arrested. Constable Eares, who was called to the spot by Mr Baylee, landlord of the hotel, and who effected the arrest, proved tbe particulars of the case. Mr Baylee gave corroborative evidence, adding tbat prisoner had previously been a source of great annoyance in the bar of tbe botel. He appeared more mad tban drunk, and wanted to fight -everybody. Inspector Pender informed the Bench that last time prisoner was before the Court, he was sentenced to a week's imprisonment, and that he was gradually becoming one of the worst of characters. His W orß bip addressed prisoner, pointing out that tbis was bis fourth offence tbis year, and that he was a constant source of public complaint. He would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment at hard labour. Vagrancy. — Thomas Preston, alias Williams, was brought up on a charge of this kind. Constable. Rutlidge said prisoner came to him on bis beat last nigbt, and requested to be taken into custody. He said if this were not done he would do something before the morning tbat would compel the police to arrest him. Mr Gee, confectioner, High etreet, said prisoner had solioited and obtained alms from him on two occasions. Other evidence was given in proof of the vagrancy, and also as to prisoner's intemperance. Defective Feast said prisoner was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in 1866 for forgery, md to a further term of six months in 1869, for stealing from the person. Latterly he bad been constantly loafing about the streets, and in hotels for drink. He was frequently drunk. Prisoner, in defence, pleaded that he had permanently injured his hand, and though making every effort after leaving the hospital to obtain work, be could not ge:

any. Hiß Worship said it was" quite -clear prisoner was a vagrant, and sentenced him to three months' imprisonment. Embezzlement. — William Brook, in custody, was charged with having embezzled two cheques for £3 3s each, the property of J. E. Graham, secretary to the Chamber of Commerce, in whose employment he had been as clerk. Inspector Pender said tbat he arrested prisoner yesterday evening on the warrant produced. After the document was read to him, and the usual caution administered, he said there had been some mistake between himself and Mr Graham, and that he had been speaking to Mr Graham about it. He was anxious to go to Mr Graham's ofiice, but witness would not allow him to do so. Witness received the cheque produced from the Bank of New South Wales that morning, and had traced it to the possession of the prisoner. The other cheque named in the information had not yet been recovered. Prisoner declined to ask any questions of the witness. Inspector Pender then requested that a remand might be granted until Monday, in order to afford an opportunity for the second cheque to be procured and additional evidence obtained. His Worship granted the application. This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., and G. Packe, Esq.) Drunkenness. — Theresa Dixon was brought up in the custody of Constable Flanigan, charged with having been drunk and disorderly in front of the City Hotel yesterday, and, the case being proved, waa fined 20s, or, in default, 48 hours' imprisonments.