MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4161, 22 August 1881, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTOHURCH. Monday, August 22.

(Before J. Ollivier, B. Westenra, and J. E,

Parker, Egqs.)

Drunkenness.— A first offender was romanded for eight duys for medical treatment. — Margaret Thompson was fined 10s. — Frederick Elmers, a German, who displayed a very imperfect knowledge of the English language, necessitating the employment of an interpreter, was fined £1 for being drunk at tho railway station and resisting Consiable Kelly in the execution of his duly. — Mary Ann Greaves was fined 10* or 48 hours' imprisonment.— r Fom* first offenders were fined

5s each,

Bkeach of Public Health Act. — Maurice Roeho was charged with neglecting to take his child Kuto Roche, who was alleged to have been vaccinated on August 5 to be examined by the Public Vaccinator, on August 12, eeven days after vaccination, contrary to tho Public Health Act, section 143. Defendant, said that t.V>e child -was vaccinated on July 2D, and was taken to be examined on August 5. Defendant's wife corroborated her husband's statement. To Dr Ncdwill: The vaccination " took " tho first time. Dr Nadwill said he could not tell how tho mistake had arisen. Ho had the defendant's name on his list, as one who had failed to present the child for examination. Case dismissed. — William Watson was charged with a similar offence in neglecting to have his child examined. Walter Watson, examined by Dr Nedwill, said that the child had been taken to Dr Nedwill twice, but the first time the vaccination had not " taken." He had not been subsequently presented for examination. Dr Nedwill said that his object in bringing these cases was not for the purpose of having a full penalty inflicted, so much as to act as a warning to others for the future The Bench ordered the child to bo presented for examination at the Hospital on Friday next. Beeaking Into ani> Stealing. — John Sharkey was charged with breaking into and stealing from tho Bhop of G. D. Murchie, four clocks, value £2 18s 6d, on tho night of August 15. Superintendent; Broham pronecuted. Tho prisoner said he admitted tho offence. C. T. Harris said he was a salesman for Mr G. D. Murchie, furnituro dealer of Cashel street. On Monday, August 15, witness closed the Bhop an-i loft it. Was certain that ho locked tho back door about six o'clock, and believed Mr Murchie locked tho frenfc door. On the next day, about 5.30 p.m., while closing tho back door, witness observed that the staples of the door had been forcod out, indicating that tho door must have been burst open. Missed two clocks on August 16*, about twelvo o'clock. G. D. Murcbie deposed that the prisoner hud been in hia employ till about July 2, as u jobbing hand. On August 15, witness locked the front door of his shop. Missed two of the clocks produced on tho following day. Did not miss tho other two till they were brought, to witness by Detective O'Connor on August 18. Tho value of the four clocks wan £2 183 6i. Did not observe that the back

door had been forced till witness' attention was called to it. To the Bench : No ono slept on the premises. Witness was the last person on the premises, and left at twenty minutes to seven. John Austin Delahunt, night porter at tho Central Hotel, deposed that the prisoner camo to tho hotel about 11.30 p.m. on August 15 with a boarder ; he remained till about 3.30 on the morning of August 16. He returned to the hotel about 5.30 am. Ho hud three clocks in a handkerchief in his possession. He left again at 6.30. Witness could identify three of the clocks produced. W. H. Rossiter, watchmaker, residing in High street, said prisoner camo to witness' shop on the afternoon of August 16 ; ho had four clocks with him, and left three with witness for ropairg. The three clocka produced were the fame. Constable O'Connor deposed that he arrested tho prisoner on August 18 on the present charge. Prisoner said, " It's a mistake." Searched his box and found one of the clocks produced. Prisoner said, " That is my own." Obtained the other three clockß from the la3t witness. The prisoner having been cautioned by his Worship, said that he was drunk and did nob know what he was doing. It was true that it had occurred. He was then committed to take his trial at tho next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court.

Labcext. — Moses Churchill was charged on remand from August 20 with the larceny of carpenters' tools, value 16s, the property of Arthur Power ; further, with stealing carpenter's tools value 9s, the property of Richard Ansley. The prisoner admitted both offences. Arthur Power said he had missed some tcols from the place where he was working. Those produced in Court were the same. The prisoner had sold the tools, and they were eventually recovered by the police. In answer to the Bench the prisoner said he had been in want of money, and was thus induced to take the tools in question. The prosecutora did not wish to prets the case against accused. His Worship said that a conviction would be entered against the accused for the offences, and he would be discharged ; he might thank the prosecutors for being thus leniently dealt with. The prisoner was then discharged.

Ifdkcent Assault. — Joseph Carpenter, a boy 14 years of age, was charged with committing an indecent assault on a little girl 11 years of age. Mr Joyce, who appeared for accused, said that the boy's grandfather, who was acting aB his guardian, waß willing to enter into sureties for the boy's good behaviour. Mr Joyce further Btated that he was authorised by the parents of the girl who was assaulted to say that they were willing to consent to the course he proposed. Superintendent Brohain offered no objection, and the Benoh decided that the boy's guardian should become responsible for his good behaviour in the sum of £50. His Worship said he would recommend that the boy receive a good thrashing for his conduct, and discharged him.

Assaults and Abusitb Lahotjagb.— B. Day was charged on remand from August 15 with assaulting Daniel Burns at Sumner. Mr J. S. Williams asked for a further adjournment for a month, a8 the defendant was at the Kaikouras and could not be communicated with. The summons had never been served, and it was intended to take out a cross summons. The complainant did not object, and fcho case was adjourned to Sept. 19. —John Grant was charged on the informatior of Walter Hall, with assaulting him at Johnston street, Sydenham. Mr Joyce appeared for complainant, and Mr Stringer for defendant. Complainant stated that on Sunday, August 4, he saw one of his fowls lying in defendant's yard. Witness inferred that the fowl had been worried by defendant's dogs. Ho went into defendant's yard and spoke to Mrs Grant about the matter. Defendant then violently assaulted him by striking and kicking him. Cross-examined : Did not refuse to go when defendant told him to. Walter Dutton, a carpenter, said he saw complainant jump over defendant's ?ate and run up the yard, and turn something over wit! his foot. Saw the defendant assault complainant. Arthur Henry Webb, on being called, said he would not give his evidence till his expenses were guaranteed. His Worship said that matter would be settled at the conclusion of the case. The witness then gave some immaterial evidence. Defendant stated that he he had heard complainant accuse Lib wife of dogs worrying fowls. He ordered complainant twice to leave tho premises, but ho would not do eo. Defendant tben told him if he did not go, he would have to help him, and give him a kick. Cross-examined: Did not strike complainant with hiß hand. Defendant's wife said that complainatt had accused her of setting a dog on his fowls. Witness had not done so. Had previously warned complainant to keep his fowls away from her ground. The Bench were of opinion that there had been an assault committed, and thought the case would bo sufficiently met by the infliction of a fine of 10s and coats. Frederick Gwatkin was charged, on the information of William Stokes, with making use of abusive and threatening language towards complainant, calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr Stringer appeared for complainant, and Mr Spackman for defendant. It appeared that complainant had been on Templar's Island, in the Waimakariri, on some land claimed by defendant, when he was ordered off, and compelled to give up some rabbits he had Bhot there. After hearing the evidence of complainant aud his son, the Bench Baid there had been n» caße made out against the defendant, jind dismissed tho information.

Vagbancy. — The case against Mary Gibson alias Annie Hamilton, was struck off on the application of Superintendent Broham, as the accused had left Christchurch.

Misceilanbous.— For permitting cattle or horses to wander in public thoroughfares, tho following offenders were dealt with :— John Anderson, two horßea at large in Salisbury street, fined £I.— John Small, one cow on Hal swell road, fined sb.— William Bam ford, one horse on the public road at Ladbrook'e, near Lincoln, fined ss.— John M'Swigan, for permitting the chimney of his residence in High street to take fire on August 9, was fined 10s ; and John Barritt, who had also allowed the chimney of his shop at the corner of Durham street and Oxford Terrace to take fire on Augußt 11, was fined 10s. — For being the owners of unregistered dog3 abovo the ago of six months, James Gapes, juur., was fined £1, Thomas Lowis was fined 10*. A case against Thomao Cooper was adjourned to August 29, and another against Horace Birch was dismissed. — Alfred Kichards was charged with actiDg as the driver of a hackney carriage without a licenee on two occasions, .August 17 and 19. Mr Holmes appeared for defendant. Superintendent Brohnm said ho would ask for an adjournment, to enable the City Council's solicitor to attend, a3 the case was mostly a matter of law. Mr Holmes said ho had no objection to the adjournment, provided that he wore allowed the coats of tho day. Tho Bench said they would allow Mr Holmes £1 Is costs, and adjourned the caso to August 26. A charge of boing drunk while in charge of a horse and cart on August 13, preferred against Eondolf Harper, was dismissed, as there was no evidence to prove tho offence, nnd it appeared thut the accused was in tho Hospital, suffering from the effects of an accident.