MAGISTERIAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5554, 27 February 1886, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL

POLICE COURT.

CHBISTCHUECH. This Day. (Before J. Anderaon, F. E. Wright, and H. M'llraith, Eaqs.) Dbunkennesb, &c. — Two men not previously convicted were fined 5s each for this offence, with the uaual alternative in default of payment. Abbat.lt.— J. A. Morgan was charged with assaulting hi 3 wife, Emily Susan Morgan on the previous night. Accused denied the charge. The (statement of the complainant waa to the effect that her husband had come home drunk last night, and .truck her about the face and other part-s of the body. The attention of Constable Hayes was called to the matter, and he arrested the accused, who told the oonstablo he would do the same again if he got away. The accused admitted having been drunk, but denied the assault, alleging that hiß wife had assaulted him. The Bench ordered defendant to be bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, in hia own recognisance of .£SO. Laroent. — John A. Sorrell and Thomas C. Spain wero charged with stealing an American flag, a German flag, a bottle of ink, and a pen, value £2 10s, the property of A. H. Hardecke, on Feb. 23 laat. It appeared that the accused Sorrell was a travelling photographer, and Spain, his assistant, who had been stopping together at the Golden Fleece Hotel, of which Mr Hardecke waa licensee. The flags, &c., were missed from the linen closet where they had been kept. Detective O'Connor was called in and searched the house. Accused were absent, and the flags were found in a portmanteau, to which they both had access. The detective went out and found the accused, who toldhim they knew nothing about any flags. Spain now said that he had taken the flags wf thout Sorrell'a knowledge from the man who was employed as " boots " at the hotel, who told him they would be useful to him, and not to let Hardecke know anything about it. The "boots" denied this statement. Sorrell said he knew nothing about the flags being stolen till he saw them in the portmanteau in the presence of Detective O'Connor. They would be no use to him. The Bench gave Sorrell the benefit of the doubt, and discharged him. Spain was convicted and sent to gaol for a month with hard labour. Pbotection Obdee.— On the application of Mra Brooke, the Bench made an order prohibiting the hotelkeepera of Christchurch and Buburbs from supplying liquor to Joseph Brooks. Bbeakinq Tree.. — Two boys who had been climbing in the trees on tho North belt plantation, and breaking branchea off them, were severely cautioned by the Bench and discharged.