MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4560, 5 December 1882, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

» OHBISTOHUEOH. Tub Dat. (Before J. Ollivier, Esq., 8.M.) Dbtthkbxhbbb.— A first offender wai fined 5a. — Mary Ann Ueedham, who was Buffering from lunacy from drink, was remanded for a week. Bik»iko tsb Fibb Alabm. — Samuel Grindrod was accused of wilfully breaking a pane of glaßs in fire alarm box No. 19, the property of tho City Council. The aooused said he had broken the box to give an alarm. Detective O'Connor, who had arrested the acoused, stated that the latter had admitted haying given an alarm at the box, corner of Lichfield and Manchester streets, but said that he had done bo because the bell in th« box did cot ring when the fire-bell at the station was ringing, which was the cm* at the time. A witness named James Caldwell deposed that he had seen the aocuied running up and down in front «f Green's buildings. He said to witness, " They've given one alarm already— a false alarm— and now there is a fire they give no alarm." Witness went with prisoner to the corner of Tuam street, but oould see no fire, and advised him to leave the box alone. Just then two men came up who appeared rather the worse for drink, and the three ran off, in the direction of the alarm box. Witness heard the alarm sounded, and saw prisoner afterwards, who said he had cut his finger in breaking the glass. A witness called for the defence said prisoner had told him there was a fire, and he intended to give an alarm. The witness could see no fire anywhere. The accused said he had no wish to annoy the public ; he believed there was a fire at the time. His Worship considered the acoused had committed a very serious offence. There were perhaps some mitigating circumstances in the case, and a moderate fine of £1 would be imposed ; but if other cases of a similar nature came before him, h» would infiiot the heaviest penalty that the law allowed. ■ Wandbbin# OATTLH.--Miehael Harrigan was fined 10s for allowing three cows to wander afc large, and Joseph Cox 5s for a similar offence with regard to a hone.