CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4158, 18 August 1881, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Thuksday, AuausT 18. (Before J. Nugent Wood, Esq., 8.M.) Drunkenness.— -A first offender was fined ss, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Illegally on Pbbmisbs.— W. W. Briggs was charged with being found by night, without lawful excuse, on the premises of Miss Hamilton, in St Asaph street. Miriam Hamilton said she was alarmed on tbe previous night by finding a man on her premises in St Asaph street. He tried to open the window and witness screamed out, when he ran away. Sergeant Mason said he lived near to the last witness. He was roused last. night by cries of "police" and "murder." He went to the house from where the cries had proceeded, when he was told that prisoner had escaped. Witness found the prisoner with some difficulty. He was sober at tho time, but had been drinking. Witnoas apprehended him The prisoner, in answer to his Worship, said he had been drinking, and thought he was in the camp at tho Little River, where he waß employed as cook. Sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment with hard labour.

Fobgbby and Uttbbing. — Frederick Cooper was charged, on remand from August 13, with forging and uttering a cheque for £3 on the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch. Superintendent Broham conducted the caae for the prosecution. Tbe prisoner was undefended. Mr Broham called Frederick Lane, who when in fche witness box appeared to be under the influenco of liquor, and was ordered to stand down. Richard Donovan, assistant to Mr White, bookaeller, Victoria street, said that about Saturday, August 16, a person came to the shop, and asked for a blank cheque on the Bank of New Zealand. He got a blank cheque from the book now produced, the last number remaining in the book being C 71538, tho number on tbo cheque produced. James McKenna, barman at tho Garrick Hoiel, deposed that he knew the prisoner. Ho came to the hotol on Auguat 6, between 6 and 7 p.m. Ho aaked for a pen and ink, which witness gave him. He wrote something, but witness did not seo what. Prisoner was then shaved on the chin, but othorwiso ho wore all his beard. On August 12 witneaa saw prisoner again, and observed that he had Bhaved off his beard, and was wearing only his moualacho aa at present. To Prisoner: Did nofc eee you address an envelope in the hotel. M'Gregor Watt, storekeeper, of Victoria street, deposed *. On Saturday, August 6, prisoner came into the Btore a little after aoron in tho evening. Ho bought groceries to tho value of Bs. He tendered tho cheque produced in payment for £3 on the Bank of New Zealand, signed "Thomaa Williama." In reply to witness, priaoner said thafc Dr Williama, of Sydenham, had signed the ckeque. Prisoner endorsed tho cheque — "Thomas Hudson." Witneeß presented the cheque at tho Bank on August 8, and it was returnod, marked " signature unknown." Prisonor at the timo he presented tho cheque to witness wore all his beard except on hia chin. Baw him f hnved aa ho waa in the dock on Friday, August 12.

Frederick Lane was with prisoner when he presented tho cheque. Witness hßd cashed the cheque for prisoner, and gave him £2 129 change. By prisoner : You said ifc was Dr Williams' cheque. Henry Williams, a legally qualified medical practitioner residing afc Sydonham, deposed that thore was no other Dr Williams in Chriatchurch or suburbs. Knew nothing about the cheque produced — had not signed ifc or given any person authority to sign it. Did not know tho prisoner. William Tasinan Twinning, teller in tho Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch, remembered th'e cheque produced boiug presented at tho Bank on August 8. It was returned marked "signature unknown." No person of the name of "Thomas Williams" had an account afc the Bank. Constable M. O'Connor deposed that he arrested the prisoner on August 12 on the present chorge. Witness stated the charge to him. He said— "l know nothing about it." Frederick Lane now deposed lhat he was a bricklayer residing in Kilmoro street. On daturday, Auguat 6, he wont with prisoner fco Mr Watt's store. Mr Watt cashed a cheque for the prisoner. Witness aaw prisoner endorse tho cheque. By prisoner *. Witness met prisoner near tho Garrick Hotel. Did not drink with prisoner till after the cheque was cashed. Prisoner did nob show witness the cheque before they went to Watt's. He said he was driving a buggy for Dr Williams. The pvisoner, after being duly cautioned, said he reserved his defence, and was then committed to take his trial at the nexfc session of the Supreme Courfc in Ohriatchurch.

Obtaining Foods bx False Pbetenoes. — Frederick Cooper, the prisoner in the previouß case, was charged with obtaining four pairs of shoes, value £2 Bs, by false pretences from Messrs Chisnell and Stewart, of Christchurch. Herbert Peate, salesman for Messrs Chisnell and Stewart, knew the prisoner. On Tuesday, August 2, he came to witness' place of business. He represented himself as Mr Clissold's coachman, and on the strength of fchis representation he was allowed fco take the shoes produced, value £2 Bs. The prisoner pleaded guilty to thia charge, as also to a further charge of obtaining two pairs of shoes, value £2 Hi, by false pretences from Messrs Kicholls and Soa, Ohristchurch. His Worship said he would like to hear how priaoner obtaiced the goods. A. £. Nicholls eaid that prisoner oame to hiß shop and presented a note, signed by Mr Clissold, requesting witness to " please give the bearer two pairs of ladies' shoes." Priaoner said he must havo the shoes as tbe Misses Clissold wished to go to a ball that night. Witness gave him the shoes. His Worship sentenced the prisoner to three months' imprisonment with hard labour on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative, making six months in all.

Civil Cabbs.— Talbot v. M'Connell, claim £2, the value of books detained by defendant. After heari»g the evidence hia Worship ordsred the books to be given up on the payment of 10s 6d to Mr M'Connell. — Waterworth v. Oockerton, claim £t 12b, for wages. Judgment for plaintiff with costs.