MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4340, 22 March 1882, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

OHBI9TCHUROH. Wednesday, Mahch 22. (Before R. Beetham, EBq., 8.M.) Dbunkbnnbbb. — Pat Ryan, Margaret Clark alias Stanton, Thomas Purdoe, Isabella Leckie, Charles Doyle aDd Ada Gilbert, were each fined 10*, or 48 hours. A first offender and Mary Bonnett, for a similar offence, were fined ss, or 24 hours.

Maintenance.— John Hall, for neglecting to comply with an order of the Court to provide for his wife and children, pleaded that he was a " hydropathic doctor "whom the public would not patronise ; hence hiß inability to maintain hia wife and family. The defendant asked for the adjournment of the case until 11 o'clock, as his solicitor wag not present. The request was granted. On resuming, Mr Holmes called the defendant, John Hall, who said he could not earn more than £1 & week for the lust six months, and it wbs impossible for him to pay 15s per week. When he agreed to pay this snm his eon was working with him, and earned 30s per week. The son gave his mother £1 ft week, and defendant gave her 10s up to February last. Witness added that hie wife returned him the last sums he 6ent her, and told him she did not want the money. In crOBS- examination by Mr Thomas, the defeudant admitted that his wife had six children still living with her. He kept a house of six rooms for himself and for hydropathic purposes. The " lady " who was tho cause of this little trouble assisted him in his business. She had one patient during the laat five months. He was aware that his wife had to seek Government assistance. He was a great advertiser; but he had not paid for bis advertising yet. Last week he did not earn a penny. Thomas Hall, the son, said that while he worked with his father he earned 30s a week, which went to support his mother. He did not live with his mother now, as she had ordered hits away last Friday. His mother often went up and "kicked up a row" with his father's patients. Ellen Oox denied that the defendant in any way supported her, except that he gave her 2s for each patient Bhe bathed. Mra Hall, the wife of the defendant, stated that owing to a dispute with her son, it was her wish that ho should leave her house. She know nothing about her husband and his female attendant, and she did not want to know anything about them. All she wanted was some support for her children. The Bench thought there were faults on both sides ; but the defendant could not shirk the order of the Court, and must oomply with it or take the consequences. IiUJfACY.— O. Adams was brought up, charged with lunacy from drink, and remanded for eight days. Civil Casks.— Judgment by default was given in the following cases, including costs : HaWken v Kittenburgh, £4 12a ; Smith v Bates, £8 19a ; Lee v Lilly, £60 16s Id ; M'Olellacd v Lowe, £4 12b 7d ; Kirer v Parkes. Mr Holmes, for the defendant, applied for an adjournment on the ground of the absence of material witnesses. After an objection being made by Mr Wilding, on behalf of the plaintiff, the Bench granted the adjournment for eight dajß, on the distinct understanding that the caee would be heard on the day named.

LYTIELTON. Wednesday, Mabch 22. (Before H. Allwright, Eeq.) Dbunkknneßß, &c. — James fieilesen, charged with being drunk, using obscene language and resisting tho police, was fined 30?, or in default, 72 hours' hard labour. A first offender was dismissed with a caution.