MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5797, 9 December 1886, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

«. MAGISTRATE'S COURT. CHRISTCHURCH. Thib Dat. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., K.M. ; and H. J, Hall, Esq.) . Larcenies.— Sarah Hazelhnrst was charged with stealing two boots, value £1 ss, the property of F. G. Sfcedman, and I with stealing a pair of spectacles, the property of James Kilburn. It appeared j that Kilburn, who is a subscriber to the Public Library, took the books out in the ordinary way, and afterwards went to Barrretb's to "shout "for the accused, and another woman. On going out he left the books and his spectacles behind him, and accused took them home. She pleaded that she had no intention 'of stealing them. The Bench dismissed the case, after cautioning the accused that she had run a great risk by her foolish conduct. — Eliza Amos, a girl ten yeara of age, was charged with stealing half-a-erown, the property of Mrs Porsey. The girl's father, who was in Court, admitted that she had taken the money. Inspector Pender said that Mrs Poraey did not wish to press for a heavy penalty. Both the father and mother of the girl had been addicted to drunkenness in the past. Mr Beetham said that a great deal had been said about juvenile depravity _ and crime, but his nine or ten years' experience had taught him that, generally, where . children gave way to crime the parents were the persons to blame. If the causes were ! investigated there was generally to be found ! s history of crime or drunkenness on the part of the parents. Many things got the blame for this, education amongst others ; but, in his opinion, it was due to carelessness, drunkenness, and crime on the part of the parents. Of course this would not apply to all eases, but the exceptions only proved the rule. He would dismiss the case, but would see the girl and her father in his private room after the Court was over. Miscellaneous — Jo3eph Burgess, who admitted having discharged a gun on the Papanui road, was fined 103, and ordered to pay Is expenses of a witness. — Patrick Howard, a licensed cebman, charged with neglecting to deliver at the City Council office a book which had been left in hiu vehicle by a passenger, was dismissed with a caution not to allow the like to occur again. — Wuzerah and Mero, two Indian natives, were charged with illegally rescuing eighteen head of cattle from John Manship, ranger to the Halswell Road Board. Mr Stringer appeared for the accused. The case was dismissed, as Manship did not produce his authority as ranger, and it did not appear that the cattle on the occasion in question, were liable to be impounded. An information against Manship for assaulting Wuzerah was also dismissed. — Eliza Norton, for having assaulted Margaret Roach on thePerry road, and using obscene language to her, was fined 10s and costs, and ordered to find sureties to keep the peace for six. months.