CHRITSCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4415, 19 June 1882, Page 3

CHRITSCHURCH.

Monday, June 19. (Before J. Ollivier, Esq., R.M., and H. Westenra, Esq.) DBUSXENJfKBg.—-Franois O'Neill, convicted of being drunk in Manchester street, was fined 10s. —William Warner, who alleged that he had only been trying to act the part of peacemaker between two men who were fighting, was convicted on the evidence of Sergeants Wilson and Maßon, and fined £1, or 48 hours' imprisonment. —H. 0. Lavender, for being drunk at Sydenham, was fined 10j. —A man named Bobinson, who hud been remanded from Aahburton for medical treatment, was ordered to be disoharged on payment of 9s maintenance. Obbchnb Language. — Annie Wharton, charged with using obscene language in Manchester street on Saturday night, " could not tell what she had said." His Worship: " Yon are only just out of gaol, and begin to qualify yourself to go back again." Prisoner :" Oh don't send me back again." His Worship : " Such language as you have made use of cannot bo tolerated. You are fined £6, or in default 14 days' imprisonment." Assault. —Potor Batigan was charged, on remand, with assaulting B. George. Mr M'Oonncl appeared for tho complainant and Mr Grosson for (ho defendant. Complainant stated that on Wednesday la9t, ho had boen engaged in a lawsuit with defendant. He was going into his gate about 6 p.m., when defendant said, "Is that you, you - —," caught him by tho board and struck him on the head, knocking him down. Defendant then dragged witnoss through the mud for about two chains. Bomo ono called out, "Lot tho man get up," and Ratigan desisted. Complainant got up, and shortly after informed Mr M'Oonnol and tho police. Cross • oxaminod: Would not swear that Ratigan was not thrown down during tho struggle. Had never quarrelled with any ono

or assaulted anyone since he had been in Ohristohuroh. Sergeant Wilson gave evidence as to the condition complainant was in after the assault. Charles Aire gave similar tsstimony. Defendant said that when passing complainant's residence he was slapped) on the shoulder by complainant, who said, " Peter, we shall settle this up at nine o'clock in the morning prompt," referring to the matter in dispute it the Court that day. Some altercation followed. Defendant called George a thief, and the latter "made- for him," and then ran away. Defendant followed. They both collided and foil into tho mud. Defendant produced his coat and trousers, which were about equal to complainant's in muddinees. Defendant had no ill-feeling towards George. At the conclusion of the case, the Bench, af tor carefully considering tho evidence, were bound to say that they thought there was nothing in this case, and they would dismiss it.

Cbiminal. Assault.— John Young was charged, on remand, with criminally assaulting a woman at Fhillipstown. When the case wag first called on, the prisoner stated that Mr Stringer had declined to go on with the caße, on his behalf. Prisoner was allowed to stand down for an hour, to enable him to obtain another solicitor. On tho aase resuming, Sergeant Mason said that four solicitors had been applied to by the prisoner, and they had all deolinod to take up his case. The prisoner wished for a further- remand, but his Worship said the case must proceed. The evidence for the prosecution' was then taken, and at its conclusion his Worship committed tho prisoner for trial at tho next criminal sessions, bail being refused.